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Proposal to create Montana judicial performance commission draws split testimony
Summary
Sen. Tom McElvray proposed Senate Bill 45 to create an independent commission that would produce midterm and pre‑election evaluations of judges; supporters said voters need information, while opponents warned of cost, subjectivity and partisan misuse.
Sen. Tom McElvray told the House Judiciary Committee that Senate Bill 45 would establish a Montana Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission to collect anonymous attorney and juror surveys, court‑room observer reports and disciplinary history to produce midterm reports for judges and pre‑election materials for voters. “Whereas it provides Montana citizens with a fair, responsible, and useful information about judicial performance,” McElvray said, citing the bill’s purpose to give voters more objective information about judges.
Supporters urged the committee to back the bill to provide voters information they lack…
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