Sponsor and bar groups spar over SB193 that would shift attorney-examiner appointments to governor

Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Greg Usher opened a hearing on Senate Bill 193, which would amend Montana Code Annotated section 37-61-102 to replace references to the Supreme Court with the governor for appointing members of the attorney's examining board.

Sponsor Sen. Jeremy Trebis of Senate District 10, Great Falls, told the committee he intends the bill to make the governor responsible for appointing members to what the draft language calls the attorney's examining board. Trebis said he is uncertain whether the change should apply to the attorney's examining board or to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC), and that he plans to work with staff on amendments. "I feel like I kinda lost my way a little bit with this bill," Trebis said in his opening remarks.

The State Bar of Montana and several attorneys who testified called the bill unconstitutional. Bruce Spencer, representing the State Bar of Montana, told the…