HELENA, Mont. - The Montana Supreme Court is under investigation by state lawmakers.
After Governor Greg Gianforte signed SB 140 into law, allowing him to appoint judges to the district courts and state Supreme Court instead of going through a judicial nominating commission. Those judges would still have to be confirmed through the State Senate, but that is not the biggest issue at hand.
The investigation revealed Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike McGrath told the governor he was against this bill. Gov. Gianforte signed it anyway and almost immediately; this bill was challenged in the Supreme Court. McGrath recused himself from hearing this challenge because he had already made his opinion known.