All Roll Calls
Yes: 556 • No: 285
MontanaSB 4569th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)Senate
Create a judicial performance evaluation commission and system
Sponsored By: Tom McGillvray (Republican)
Signed by Governor
CourtsJudges and JusticesRule Making
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Voter pamphlets add judge evaluations
The statewide voter pamphlet now includes a short summary of each incumbent judge’s latest evaluation and the commission’s website. The Secretary of State estimates copies at least 110 days before the election, printing ships by 45 days, and counties mail one copy to each active voter by 30 days. Ten copies are available at each precinct. If you request one, election officials include a pamphlet with your absentee ballot. Your absentee packet also includes instructions on how to mark your ballot.
How Montana judges are evaluated
Beginning January 1, 2026, judges get regular reviews. District judges are reviewed in years 3 and 5. Supreme Court justices are reviewed in years 3 and 7. The commission hires an independent, non-legal contractor to run surveys. Survey groups include lawyers, jurors, and court staff. Jurors are surveyed within 30 days. Only lawyers in good standing rate legal ability, and all survey answers are confidential. The commission sets rules for courtroom observation. A judge may speak before the evaluation is issued and may add a 200-word statement. The law defines key terms like bias and impartiality used in reviews.
New commission to evaluate judges
The law creates an 11-member commission to review Montana judges. Members are appointed by legislative leaders, the Governor, and the Chief Justice. No member can be a current legislator or judge. Terms are 4 years, with up to three consecutive terms. Initial seats are filled within 30 days, with staggered 2- and 4-year terms. The commission sits in the Department of Justice for admin support, hires an executive director, and may add staff. Members get no pay, only per diem and travel. The commission reports in person to two interim legislative committees after the 69th session. The program ends June 30, 2035.
One-time funding to launch program
The law gives the Department of Justice $500,000 for the year starting July 1, 2025, and $500,000 for the year starting July 1, 2026. These are intended as one-time payments to implement the judicial evaluation system.
When judge reports go public
The commission compiles a midterm report for each judge and sends it to the judge, the Supreme Court, and the court administrator. It may publish a partial midterm report for new judges when a respondent group is missing, with notice on its website and to the court administrator. Before elections, the commission gives each judge a preelection report at least 45 days before the last day to file. Reports stay confidential unless the judge files to run; then they become public the day after the filing deadline. Public reports are posted online, and a summary goes to the Secretary of State on or before 105 days before the election. When agencies seek information about judges, disclosures follow set procedures and the judge gets reasonable notice.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Tom McGillvray
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/28/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 56 • No: 44
Senate vote • 4/25/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 31 • No: 18
House vote • 4/25/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 85 • No: 15
Senate vote • 4/24/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 46 • No: 3
Senate vote • 4/17/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 33 • No: 17
Senate vote • 4/16/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 46 • No: 2
House vote • 4/11/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 58 • No: 42
House vote • 4/11/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 58 • No: 41
House vote • 4/8/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 54 • No: 44
Senate vote • 2/27/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 28 • No: 22
Senate vote • 2/7/2025
Do Pass As Amended
Yes: 27 • No: 22
Senate vote • 2/7/2025
AMD-SB0045.002.015 McGillvray D/PASS
Yes: 34 • No: 15
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
5/19/2025SenateSigned by Governor
5/13/2025SenateTransmitted to Governor
5/8/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
5/6/2025HouseSigned by President
5/6/2025SenateSent to Enrolling
4/29/2025Senate3rd Reading Governor's Amendments
4/28/2025House3rd Reading Governor's Amendments
4/25/2025Senate2nd Reading Governor's Amendments
4/25/2025House2nd Reading Governor's Amendments
4/24/2025SenateReturned with Governor's Amendments
4/23/2025SenateTransmitted to Governor
4/23/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
4/22/2025HouseSigned by President
4/22/2025SenateReturned from Enrolling
4/19/2025SenateSent to Enrolling
4/17/2025Senate3rd Reading House Amendments
4/17/2025SenateRevised Fiscal Note Printed
4/17/2025SenateFiscal Note Unsigned
4/17/2025Senate2nd Reading House Amendments
4/16/2025SenateRevised Fiscal Note Received
4/16/2025Senate2nd Reading Pass Consideration
4/15/2025SenateReturned to Senate with Amendments
4/11/2025House3rd Reading
4/11/2025House2nd Reading
4/11/2025House
Bill Text
As Amended (Version 7)
4/30/2025
Enrolled
4/17/2025
As Amended (Version 5)
4/10/2025
As Amended (Version 4)
4/3/2025
As Amended (Version 3)
2/17/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
2/3/2025
Introduced
12/12/2024