House Bill No. [insert bill number] aims to revise various laws related to juries in Montana, specifically focusing on the notice and summons process for jurors, the term of service, and the procedures for discharging a jury panel. Key amendments include the removal of the requirement for jurors to respond by mail regarding their qualifications, allowing the clerk of court to send a summons that includes a jury questionnaire and a form for claiming an excuse from service. Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions for contacting nonresponding jurors through electronic means and outlines the "reasonable efforts" that the sheriff must undertake to ensure compliance with summons.

The bill also clarifies the term of service for jurors, allowing them to continue serving even if a new jury list is returned, provided they are still needed for court business. It establishes that motions to discharge a jury panel must be made in writing and supported by an affidavit, with a clear burden of proof on the party making the motion. Furthermore, the bill includes a severability clause and specifies that it will take effect immediately upon passage and approval, applying to jury pools noticed on or after May 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 3-15-405, 3-15-411, 3-15-501, 46-16-112
HB0194_1(1): 3-15-405, 3-15-411, 3-15-501, 46-16-112
HB0194_1(2): 3-15-405, 3-15-411, 3-15-501, 46-16-112
HB0194_1(3): 3-15-405, 3-15-411, 3-15-501, 46-16-112
HB0194_1(4): 3-15-405, 3-15-411, 3-15-501, 46-16-112
HB0194_1(5): 3-15-405, 3-15-411, 3-15-501, 46-16-112
HB0194_1: 3-15-405, 3-15-411, 3-15-501, 46-16-112