Judicial reform was a major topic during the Montana Legislatures 2025 session. While a number of the proposed bills didnt become law, one that did was Senate Bill 45, which created a new state commission to rate judges performance.

Last week, the Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission met for the first time, where they elected leaders and began planning for the work ahead of them.

Were getting started, said former Sen. Keith Regier, R-Kalispell, who was chosen as the commissions chair. The picturell probably be clearer in the next few months.

(Watch the video for more on what the commission will be doing next.)

A major argument for lawmakers who advocated for overhauling Montanas judicial system primarily Republicans was that the public doesnt have enough information about judicia

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