House Bill No. [insert number] aims to amend the composition of the Judicial Standards Commission by prohibiting a district court judge 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 neither attorneys nor judges. All members are appointed by various state officials and confirmed by the Senate, serving staggered four-year terms.

The key change introduced by this bill is the insertion of a provision that explicitly states, "A district court judge may not serve as the presiding officer of the commission." This amendment seeks 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