This bill amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to establish that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is responsible for appointing and directing the Court Administrator. Specifically, it modifies Section 3-1-130 to indicate that the Court Administrator will administer the judicial branch personnel plan under the direction of the Chief Justice, rather than the Supreme Court. Additionally, Section 3-1-701 is amended to clarify that the Chief Justice will appoint the Court Administrator, who will serve at the pleasure of the Chief Justice. Section 3-1-702 is also updated to reflect that the Court Administrator's duties will be carried out under the direction of the Chief Justice.

The bill includes an immediate effective date and specifies that it applies retroactively to Court Administrators appointed on or before the effective date. This retroactive applicability ensures that the changes made by the bill are recognized for all current and past appointments of Court Administrators, thereby reinforcing the authority of the Chief Justice in overseeing the administrative functions of the court system.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 3-1-130, 3-1-701, 3-1-702
SB0342_1(1): 3-1-130, 3-1-701, 3-1-702
SB0342_1(2): 3-1-130, 3-1-701, 3-1-702
SB0342_1(3): 3-1-130, 3-1-701, 3-1-702
SB0342_1(4): 3-1-130, 3-1-701, 3-1-702
SB0342_1(5): 3-1-130, 3-1-701, 3-1-702
SB0342_1: 3-1-130, 3-1-701, 3-1-702
SB0342_X(1): 3-1-130, 3-1-701, 3-1-702
SB0342_X(10): 3-1-130, 3-1-701, 3-1-702
SB0342_X(11): 3-1-130, 3-1-701, 3-1-702
SB0342_X(12): 3-1-130, 3-1-701, 3-1-702
SB0342_X(2): 3-1-130, 3-1-701, 3-1-702
SB0342_X(3): 3-1-130, 3-1-701, 3-1-702
SB0342_X(4): 3-1-130, 3-1-701, 3-1-702
SB0342_X(5): 3-1-130, 3-1-701, 3-1-702
SB0342_X(6): 3-1-130, 3-1-701, 3-1-702
SB0342_X(7): 3-1-130, 3-1-701, 3-1-702
SB0342_X(8): 3-1-130, 3-1-701, 3-1-702
SB0342_X(9): 3-1-130, 3-1-701, 3-1-702
SB0342_X: 3-1-130, 3-1-701, 3-1-702