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Senate Judiciary takes up bill to define judicial bias and related standards; opponents raise separation-of-powers concerns
Summary
SB66 seeks statutory definitions for bias, conflict of interest, impartiality and open-mindedness for judges; supporters said definitions add clarity, while the State Bar, judges and others warned the measure risks constitutional separation-of-powers conflicts and vague, unenforceable standards such as inferring bias from facial expressions.
Senator Mark Noland presented Senate Bill 66 to define terms related to judicial conduct — including bias, conflict of interest, impartiality and open-mindedness — and to clarify when disqualification or impeachment might be appropriate. Sponsor testimony framed the bill as a bid for clarity and accountability in the judiciary.
Proponents, including civic advocates and a sponsor of prior judicial-oversight work, said codifying definitions would help litigants, legislators and…
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