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Committee hears bill requiring attorneys to disclose past campaign contributions to presiding judges; opponents cite burdens and constitutional concerns
Summary
House Bill 788, which would require an attorney of record to disclose campaign contributions to the judge presiding over a case and create a private right of action for failures to disclose, drew strong opposition from the State Bar and trial lawyers and was tabled after debate and a proposed conceptual amendment.
House Bill 788, sponsored by Rep. Brad Barker, would have required attorneys of record in civil proceedings to disclose campaign contributions they had made to the presiding judge within the previous six years and would have allowed sanctions and a private right of action for failure to disclose.
Opponents, including the State Bar of Montana and the Montana Defense Trial Lawyers, urged the committee to reject the bill or…
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