HELENA — Judicial reform was a major topic during the Montana Legislature’s 2025 session. While a number of the proposed bills didn’t 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.

“We’re getting started,” said former Sen. Keith Regier, R-Kalispell, who was chosen as the commission’s chair. “The picture’ll probably be clearer in the next few months.”

(Watch the video for more on what the commission will be doing next.) State commission to evaluate Montana judges' job performance

A major argument for lawmakers who advocated for overhauling Montana’s judicial system

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