House Bill No. [insert number] aims to amend Section 3-1-1101 of the Montana Code Annotated by prohibiting a judge on the Judicial Standards Commission from serving as the presiding officer of the commission. The bill maintains the current structure of the commission, which consists of five members: two district court judges, one attorney with at least ten years of practice in Montana, and two citizens who are not attorneys or judges. All members are appointed by various state officials and confirmed by the Senate, serving staggered four-year terms.

The key insertion in this bill is the provision that explicitly states, "A district court judge may not serve as the presiding officer of the commission." This change is intended to enhance the impartiality and integrity of the commission by ensuring that a judge does not hold a leadership position within the body that oversees judicial standards.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 3-1-1101
HB0036_1(1): 3-1-1101
HB0036_1(2): 3-1-1101
HB0036_1(3): 3-1-1101
HB0036_1(4): 3-1-1101
HB0036_1(5): 3-1-1101
HB0036_1(6): 3-1-1101
HB0036_1: 3-1-1101