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Senate Judiciary advances Thomas (Lee) Bruner for reappointment to Workers' Compensation Court
Summary
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard proponents and unanimously moved Senate Resolution 42, reconfirming Thomas Lee Bruner to the Montana Workers' Compensation Court; supporters cited his backlog reduction, increased published opinions, and efforts to move court administration to the judiciary.
Senate Judiciary on Thursday advanced Senate Resolution 42 to reappoint Thomas Lee Bruner to the Montana Workers' Compensation Court after a hearing with multiple proponents and a unanimous voice vote in executive action.
Sponsor Senator Barry Usher introduced the resolution as a reconfirmation of Bruner, noting the judge’s courtroom and administrative work. Lieutenant Governor Kristin Juras testified in support, saying Bruner was appointed in September 2023 to a six-year term and has “eliminated a backlog of cases” while improving court efficiency and transparency. Sarah Swanson, commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry, told the committee that Bruner moved quickly to increase output, writing 10 published opinions within months and helping craft a proposal to make the workers’ compensation court an administrative attachment to the judiciary to use existing court filing systems rather than purchasing a stand-alone system that would have cost about $2,000,000.
Judge Bruner addressed the committee personally, describing his background as a rancher, Air Force veteran and former deputy clerk of the Montana Supreme Court. He said the court has moved to issue decisions more promptly: “In the 18 months I’ve been there, I’ve issued 10 published opinions and 45 substantive orders,” and described a practice goal of processing matters requiring court action within 48 hours when feasible.
Supporters from the bar and the workers’ compensation community also spoke. Bruce Spencer, representing the State Bar of Montana and the Montana Judges Association, and Charlie Smith, chair of the work comp rules committee, praised Bruner’s clear, timely opinions and credited him with driving IT and procedural improvements. Bowen Greenwood, clerk of the Montana Supreme Court, and other proponents urged confirmation, citing Bruner’s administrative experience and public-service record.
In executive action, Senator Ricky moved a do-pass recommendation on SR 42. The committee approved SR 42 by a voice vote; proxies (Senators Olson, Smith and Newman) were recorded as aye by proxy, and the motion passed unanimously. The resolution is now reported out of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Next steps: SR 42 will proceed through the Senate process per normal confirmation procedures.
