A bill that aimed to refer a constitutional amendment to Montana voters that would have asked whether they wanted to give up their right to vote for judges and hand that power to the legislature was tabled in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.
A bill that would reduce the number of Montana Supreme Court justices over the next few years would delay judicial decisions and might violate the constitution, representatives for Montana judges and attorneys told a Senate committee.
Chris Gallus, the longtime attorney with a history of working in Montana political circles, said he was pleased he was confirmed to the position by the 47-3 vote.