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Senate Judiciary advances three judicial confirmations for district and water courts
Summary
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard and advanced three confirmations: Judge John A. Mercer to the Twentieth Judicial District (SR92), Bina Peters to the Montana Water Court as associate water judge (SR15), and Stephen R. Brown as chief water judge (SR16). Each resolution passed out of committee, SR16 as amended.
Chairman Barry Usher opened the committee’s confirmation calendar and introduced three judicial nominations that the committee ultimately advanced to the Senate floor.
Judge John A. Mercer: Senator Barry Usher introduced SR92 to confirm John A. Mercer for the Twentieth Judicial District, describing Mercer’s decades of legal practice and public service. Lieutenant Governor Kristin Juras urged confirmation, saying, "You can be assured that Judge Mercer will not legislate from the bench," and Chief Justice Corey Swanson called Mercer an "outstanding legal mind" with broad experience. The hearing drew local supporters including court clerks and colleagues who highlighted Mercer's patience with pro se litigants and his community ties. After public testimony Chair Usher called the measure "an easy yes," and the committee advanced SR92 on a voice vote with proxies recorded for absent members.
