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Sponsor seeks to move Judicial Standards Commission to Department of Justice to reduce perceived conflicts
Summary
House Bill 35 would administratively attach the Judicial Standards Commission to the Department of Justice while preserving the commission—s independent investigatory role; sponsor and the court administrator discussed staffing (0.25 FTE) and a small investigative budget (about $50,000).
House Bill 35 was introduced to the House Judiciary Committee as a measure to administratively move the Judicial Standards Commission (JSC) out of the Judicial Branch and place it under the Department of Justice. The sponsor told the committee the change is intended to reduce the appearance that judges or lawyers serving on the commission are supervised by the Supreme Court or the state bar.
The sponsor summarized the commission—s purpose: to investigate complaints of judicial misconduct, preserve public confidence in the judiciary and recommend discipline to the Montana Supreme Court. "It moves the Judicial Standards Commission away from the Judicial Branch and…
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