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Proposal to create judicial performance commission draws heated debate over cost, partisanship and value
Summary
Sen. McGillivray proposed creating a Montana Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission to produce midterm and pre‑election performance reports for supreme court justices and district judges. Supporters said voters lack information about judges; opponents warned of cost, partisan influence and duplication of existing tools.
Sen. McGillivray brought Senate Bill 45 to the House Judiciary Committee proposing a Montana Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission to produce independent midterm reviews and pre‑election reports for Supreme Court justices and district court judges.
Under the bill, an 11‑member commission appointed by legislative and executive leaders and the chief justice would contract with an independent vendor to produce surveys, collect public input and assemble pre‑election summaries that would appear in the voter information pamphlet and on a public website. The bill includes midterm reports intended for judges’ internal improvement and pre‑election reports intended to inform voters.
Supporters at the hearing said voters typically have little information about…
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