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MontanaHB 19469th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Generally revise laws related to juries

Sponsored By: Amy Regier (Republican)

Became Law

Juries and JurorsCourts

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

One-day or one-trial jury service

If a case has been ready for over six months and a party asks for a jury, the court orders a jury. The court also summons a jury when court business needs one and none are present. Judges can set service as one-day or one-trial. If you serve one day and are not picked, or you finish a trial, you are excused for the rest of the year. If there are not enough unexcused jurors, you may be called back. These rules apply to jury pools noticed on or after May 1, 2026.

Deadline to challenge a jury panel

To object to how a jury panel was picked, file a written motion to discharge the panel. Include an affidavit with facts on improper selection, drawing, notice, or summoning. File at least five days before the term starts, unless you show good cause. Good cause needs proof you tried promptly to investigate the panel. If the court finds a material legal error, it holds a hearing and discharges the panel, then orders a new selection. These rules apply to jury pools noticed on or after May 1, 2026.

How long jury service lasts

Regular jurors serve for one year and until new jurors are selected and returned, unless excused. If a new jury list is returned, you may still be required to serve up to 90 more days if the court needs you. If you are on a trial, you stay on that case until the judge discharges the jury, even past one year. A new jury list does not change that. These rules apply to jury pools noticed on or after May 1, 2026.

Stronger follow-up on jury mailings

The clerk mails jury notices and includes a questionnaire and an excuse affidavit. You must reply. If you ignore the notice, the clerk certifies this to the sheriff. The sheriff must try to serve you in person and get your answer. If you ignore a jury summons, the clerk must try phone or electronic contact first. Then the sheriff must do at least two actions, such as publishing your nonresponse, calling, emailing, posting a notice at your address, personal service, or first-class mail. A clerk’s or sheriff’s slip-up does not void the jury pool. These rules apply to jury pools noticed on or after May 1, 2026.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Amy Regier

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Barry Usher

    Republican • Senate

  • Shelley Vance

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 271 • No: 122

House vote • 4/14/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 43 • No: 4

House vote • 4/12/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 2/3/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 71 • No: 28

House vote • 1/31/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 67 • No: 32

House vote • 1/31/2025

AMD-HB0194.001.003 France DO PASS

Yes: 41 • No: 58

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/8/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/5/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    4/25/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    4/25/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    4/23/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/16/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/14/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Concurred

    4/14/2025Senate

  9. 2nd Reading Concurred

    4/12/2025Senate

  10. 2nd Reading Pass Consideration

    4/11/2025Senate

  11. Committee Report--Bill Concurred

    4/8/2025Senate

  12. Committee Executive Action--Bill Concurred

    4/8/2025Senate

  13. Hearing

    4/7/2025Senate

  14. Hearing Canceled

    2/18/2025Senate

  15. Hearing

    2/14/2025Senate

  16. Referred to Committee

    2/13/2025Senate

  17. First Reading

    2/4/2025Senate

  18. Transmitted to Senate

    2/3/2025House

  19. 3rd Reading Passed

    2/3/2025House

  20. 2nd Reading Passed

    1/31/2025House

  21. 2nd Reading Motion to Amend Failed

    1/31/2025House

  22. Committee Report--Bill Passed

    1/29/2025House

  23. Committee Executive Action--Bill Passed

    1/29/2025House

  24. Committee Executive Action--Bill Passed

    1/29/2025House

  25. Hearing

    1/22/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/15/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/14/2025

    PDF

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