Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] aims to revise and clarify terms related to judicial officers in Montana law by amending Section 1-1-202 of the Montana Code Annotated. The bill introduces new definitions and clarifications, including the definitions of "bias," "conflict of interest," "impartiality," and "open-mindedness." Notably, it specifies that bias in a judicial officer can be inferred from various behaviors, such as comments or conflicts of interest, and emphasizes the importance of impartiality in judicial decision-making. The bill also expands the definition of "judicial officers" to include hearing examiners, alongside existing titles.

Additionally, the bill makes several technical amendments, such as changing the phrasing of "upon" to "on" in the context of depositions and oral examinations. It also removes certain terms like "and" before "city judges" and "standing masters," while adding new elements to the definitions of open-mindedness, which include considering opposing views and acknowledging potential bias. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance the clarity and effectiveness of judicial conduct standards in Montana.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 1-1-202
SB0066_1(1): 1-1-202
SB0066_1(2): 1-1-202
SB0066_1(3): 1-1-202
SB0066_1(4): 1-1-202
SB0066_1: 1-1-202