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Debate over making Supreme Court clerk an appointed, rather than elected, office draws divided testimony
Summary
Senate Bill 332 would convert the Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court from an elected office into a position appointed by the seven justices, sponsors said, to professionalize hiring; the elected clerk opposed the change, saying appointment would reduce independence.
Senator Willis Curti opened Senate Bill 332, proposing to make the Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court an appointed position chosen by the seven justices of the court. Curti told the committee the clerk’s office performs long‑standing administrative functions — managing dockets, filings, licensing attorneys and custody of court records — and that selection by the justices would allow the court to hire based on experience and qualifications.
Proponents argued the proposed change would better…
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