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Senate committee hears fiscal debate over proposal to create Montana government claims court
Summary
Senators and witnesses sparred over SB385which would create a three-judge government claims court based in Helena; proponents say it will ease district-court workloads and save money long-term, while opponents question a costly fiscal note, a 20% pay premium for judges and potential constitutional issues.
Senator Tom McGillivray introduced Senate Bill 385, which would establish a government claims court with three appointed judges based in Helena and a three-judge panel for en banc appeals, and asked the Finance and Claims Committee to consider the fiscal note accompanying the bill. "Senate bill 385 sets up a government claims court," McGillivray said, outlining an initial year cost of about $1 million and higher recurring costs in year two.
Proponents and some legal advocates told the committee the new court would function as a specialty forum for complex constitutional and government-claims litigation, potentially freeing district courts to prioritize family law, criminal and dependency cases. Derek (recorded as Derek A. Oestreicher) of the Montana Family…
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