A Montana judge clashed with the head of a legislative committee Thursday. The committee could propose reforms to the judicial system.
The Senate Committee on Judicial Oversight said it subpoenaed several members of the Judicial Standards Commission in late August. The committee wanted them to answer questions about their rulemaking process. The commission handles ethics complaints made against judges in Montana.
Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Mike Menahan was among those summoned by Senate President Jason Ellsworth. Menahan and others argued the committee didn’t properly issue the subpoenas. Menahan also took issue with how long Ellsworth kept the witnesses waiting.
“At what point are you going to ask a question of us?” Menahan asked Ellsworth.
Ellsworth struck his gavel repeatedly.
“You are out of order — and, you are,” he said.
“Mr. President, you have asked me to be here today,” Menahan replied. “What time do you anticipate that I will be called as a witness today?”
The exchange happened hours into the meeting.
Menahan later returned to answer questions from the committee about how the Judicial Standards Commission involves the public in its rulemaking process.
Ellsworth’s judicial oversight committee formed earlier this year following a series of Montana Supreme Court decisions some Republican lawmakers viewed as overreach.
The committee could bring bill proposals to the 2025 Legislature.
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Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s disciplinary hearing for charges of professional misconduct concluded Thursday. A special counsel says Knudsen undermined the integrity of the judiciary through defiant language and rejection of a court order. -
Montana’s attorney general appeared before an oversight commission on Wednesday to face charges of professional misconduct. Attorney General Austin Knudsen was asked about several statements he or attorneys in his office made about the Montana Supreme Court in 2021. -
Republicans on a special legislative committee will require people who testify to sign an oath to tell the truth. The committee will also start ordering elected officials to appear before it with subpoenas. Such rules aren’t used by any other legislative committee. -
Montana Republicans met in Billings over the weekend to update their party’s platform. Montana Public Radio’s Shaylee Ragar was at the event and joined host Austin Amestoy to talk about the Republicans' debate on election law, immigration, abortion and party loyalty. -
A panel of Republican lawmakers met on Monday to discuss their concerns over what they’ve called “troubling judicial rulings.” Democratic legislators declined to participate.
