Montana legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Montana SJ39: Study specialty courts
Status: Failed, May 23, 2025
What the bill says
A joint resolution of the senate and the house of representatives of the state of montana requesting an interim study of specialty courts; and requiring that the final results of the study be reported to the 70th legislature.
From the engrossed text:
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA REQUESTING AN INTERIM STUDY OF SPECIALTY COURTS; AND REQUIRING THAT THE FINAL RESULTS OF THE STUDY BE REPORTED TO THE 70TH LEGISLATURE. WHEREAS, Montana's district courts are experiencing heavy caseloads, particularly in areas of family law, youth in need of care, and criminal matters; and WHEREAS, constitutional claims and claims involving state government present unique procedural and legal complexities that may benefit from resolution by a specialized tribunal; and WHEREAS, a specialty court may provide focused judicial expertise, promote efficiency, and reduce burdens on the general district court system; and WHEREAS, Article VII, section 1, of the Montana Constitution allows for "such other courts as may be provided by law"; and WHEREAS, Article VII, section 4, of the Montana Constitution allows for other courts to have "jurisdiction concurrent with that of the district court as may be provided by law"; and WHEREAS, the Montana Legislature has used this constitutional authority to create other courts, including the water court, asbestos claims court, workers' compensation court, small claims courts, municipal courts, and city courts; and WHEREAS, a study is necessary to determine whether the creation of a specialty court would promote judicial efficiency, ensure fair outcomes for litigants, and support the district courts' ability to prioritize …
Sponsors
- McGillvray, Tom (R, 26) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : (H) Died in Committee
- : (H) Tabled in Committee
- : (H) 1st Reading
- : (H) Hearing
- : (H) Referred to Committee
- : (S) Transmitted to House
- : (S) 3rd Reading
- : (S) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
- : (S) 2nd Reading
- : (S) Scheduled for 2nd Reading
Votes
- Do Pass (April 28, 2025): 29 yea, 20 nay, passed
- Do Pass (April 25, 2025): 29 yea, 17 nay, passed
Subjects: Judges and Justices, Courts, Interim Study Resolutions
Common questions
- What is SJ39?
- SJ39 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Study specialty courts.
- What does SJ39 do?
- In its own words: A joint resolution of the senate and the house of representatives of the state of montana requesting an interim study of specialty courts; and requiring that the final results of the study be reported to the 70th legislature.
- What is the status of SJ39?
- Failed as of May 23, 2025. Latest action: (H) Died in Committee (May 23, 2025).
- Who sponsored SJ39?
- McGillvray, Tom (R, 26).
- Where is the official record for SJ39?
- On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0823
Source: official Montana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.