Seven Montana Supreme Court judges, six lawmakers and SB140
Arren Kimbel-Sannit
All seven members of the Montana Supreme Court appeared via Zoom before a legislative panel on Monday out of apparent respect for a legislative subpoena a rare move that seemed a surprise given that the court had previously ordered to temporarily disregard the same subpoena under which they appeared but put up a generally unified front in response to questions from Republicans about judicial bias and the scope of the Legislature’s subpoena power.
“We’re here, and surprisingly enough, we’re happy to be here,” Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike McGrath told members of the Joint Special Select Committee on Judicial Transparency and Accountability.
Republicans escalate battle with Supreme Court, subpoenaing all justices
MTN News
Republicans at the Legislature have issued subpoenas to all seven justices on the Supreme Court, ordering them to produce internal communication documents.
By: Mike Dennison
and last updated 2021-04-15 14:53:01-04
HELENA â Republican leadership at the Montana Legislature Thursday ratcheted up their inquiry into alleged bias by the Montana Supreme Court, ordering its justices to produce, by Monday, any internal communications about bills before the Legislature.
GOP leaders issued legislative subpoenas to the seven justices and Court Administrator Beth McLaughlin, telling the seven justices to produce the documents at the Capitol by Monday afternoon.
The Legislature, which is held by a Republican majority, has rapidly mobilized in the last week to investigate the judiciary for polling judges on pending legislation regarding the courts, while Democrats have denounced the GOP s actions as attempts to undermine the courts.
As multiple controversial bills have moved through this legislative session with GOP support, opponents have vowed to take to the courts to challenge what becomes law. That includes a broad range of bills â from revising the judicial process to allowing openly carried firearms on college campuses and restricting access to health care for transgender youth and limiting abortions.
The Legislature, which is held by a Republican majority, has rapidly mobilized in the last week to investigate the judiciary for polling judges on pending legislation regarding the courts, while Democrats have denounced the GOP s actions as attempts to undermine the courts.
As multiple controversial bills have moved through this legislative session with GOP support, opponents have vowed to take to the courts to challenge what becomes law. That includes a broad range of bills â from revising the judicial process to allowing openly carried firearms on college campuses and restricting access to health care for transgender youth and limiting abortions.
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