Montana bill would let judges accept some partisan activity; hearing exposes split over impartiality

Representative Tom Millett introduced House Bill 169 on behalf of himself, saying the bill would allow judges and judicial candidates to do certain activities now prohibited by Canon 4.1 of the Code of Judicial Conduct, including attending events sponsored by partisan candidates and accepting political endorsements.

“[My bill] will allow judges or judicial candidates to attend events sponsored by a partisan political candidate,” Representative Tom Millett said, noting he took the proposal from conversations with a district judge and a comment by Montana Supreme Court Justice Jim Rice. Millett told the committee he intends the bill to remove sanctions for two canon provisions (identified in his handout as numbers 5 and 7) and to preserve the stricter rules (the “blue” items on his handout) that prohibit uses such as campaign contributions for private benefit.

Supporters said the measure would increase transparency…