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MontanaSB 3069th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)Senate

Revise laws related to Judiciary and rule of necessity

Sponsored By: Tom McGillvray (Republican)

Signed by Governor

CourtsJudges and Justices

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Montana judges must recuse after big donations

Parties in a Montana case can ask a judge to step aside in two situations. First, the judge got campaign money from a party or that party’s lawyer totaling the legal maximum in 13-37-216, in an election within the last 6 years. Second, a party, that lawyer, or the lawyer’s firm gave over $10,000 (supreme court) or over $5,000 (other judges) to a group that ran independent ads for the judge or against the judge’s opponent in the last 6 years. The party must give enough facts; once the judge gets the motion and facts, the judge must recuse. A judge cannot use the rule of necessity when another judge with less conflict is available; “contribution” and “judicial officer” use the definitions in 13-1-101 and 1-1-202.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Tom McGillvray

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Shane Klakken

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 178 • No: 120

House vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 57 • No: 42

House vote • 4/10/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 58 • No: 42

Senate vote • 1/27/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 31 • No: 18

Senate vote • 1/24/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 32 • No: 18

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/8/2025Senate

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/5/2025Senate

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    4/25/2025Senate

  4. Signed by Speaker

    4/25/2025House

  5. Signed by President

    4/21/2025Senate

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/12/2025Senate

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/11/2025Senate

  8. 3rd Reading

    4/11/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading

    4/10/2025House

  10. Committee Report

    3/27/2025House

  11. Committee Executive Action

    3/27/2025House

  12. Hearing

    3/19/2025House

  13. 1st Reading

    1/28/2025House

  14. Referred to Committee

    1/28/2025House

  15. Transmitted to House

    1/27/2025Senate

  16. 3rd Reading

    1/27/2025Senate

  17. 2nd Reading

    1/24/2025Senate

  18. Committee Report

    1/22/2025Senate

  19. Committee Executive Action

    1/22/2025Senate

  20. Hearing

    1/11/2025Senate

  21. Referred to Committee

    1/7/2025Senate

  22. 1st Reading

    1/6/2025Senate

  23. Introduced

    12/11/2024Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/15/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    12/11/2024

    PDF

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