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Committee considers HB 169 to loosen limits on judges’ political activity and endorsements
Summary
House Bill 169 would permit judges and judicial candidates to attend partisan events and accept endorsements; sponsors said the change reflects Montana community norms and reduces overbroad restrictions, opponents argued it risks eroding impartiality and current canons already prohibit problematic conduct.
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard House Bill 169, authored by Representative Tom Millett, which would allow sitting judges and judicial candidates greater latitude to attend partisan events and to seek or accept endorsements from political organizations or holders of nonjudicial partisan office, depending on whether candidates run partisan or nonpartisan races.
Millett said the bill is short and intended to address specific restrictions in the…
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