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Senate Judiciary Committee forwards bill to move Judicial Standards Commission to Department of Justice
Summary
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 6–3 to advance HB 35, which would administratively attach the Judicial Standards Commission to the Department of Justice; supporters said the change reduces conflicts of interest, while opponents warned it politicizes judicial oversight.
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance House Bill 35 on a 6–3 roll call after testimony both supporting and opposing moving the Judicial Standards Commission (JSC) administratively to the Department of Justice.
Representative Fiona Nave, sponsor of HB 35, told the committee the bill would move the JSC "away from the judicial branch and administratively attach it to the Department of Justice," arguing the change would reduce the appearance that judges supervise members of the commission who investigate judges. "This places no additional burden on DOJ resources," Nave said during her opening remarks.
Proponents said the shift would boost transparency and public confidence. Bart Crabtree of the Montana…
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