Lawmakers Navigate Separation Of Powers Challenges
HELENA — Gov. Greg Gianforte and the Legislature are locked in a legal battle over a new law giving the governor sweeping powers to appoint judges.
Gianforte signed Senate Bill 140 in March, which eliminates the Judicial Nominating Commission, allowing the governor to appoint district judge vacancies directly. A bipartisan group of former state leaders challenged it shortly after Gianforte signed it into law. The Supreme Court will now decide on the case, which has sparked a series of leaked emails, judge recusals and the formation of a special committee investigating the judicial branch.
Majority Leader Sue Vinton speaks during a Special Joint Select Committee on Judicial Transparency and Accountability, April 19, 2021.