3-1-610: Restrictions on judicial officers presiding over matters in which they have previously asserted position.

(1) This section applies to all judicial officers, as defined in 1-1-202.

(2) Judicial officers may not participate in any action or proceeding involving the constitutionality of a provision of a bill if:

(a) the judicial officer has appeared before the Montana legislature or otherwise contacted a legislator or another governmental entity in support or opposition of a bill involving the same legislation if it is at issue in a case in which the judicial officer presides;

(b) the judicial officer has served on a committee or group designed to evaluate legislation when the committee or group expressed support or opposition on a bill during the judicial officer's service on the committee or other group and a case involving the same legislation is pending before the judicial officer; or

(c) the judicial officer has publicly supported or opposed an issue or bill at the request of the Montana judges association or another entity and a case involving the legislation is pending before the judicial officer.