Public comment sought on associate water judge application
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News from Montana Water Court
MONTANA – Stephen R. Brown has reapplied for the position of associate water judge for the Montana Water Court. The Judicial Nomination Commission is now soliciting public comment on Judge Brown’s application. The application may be viewed through a link available at https://courts.mt.gov/courts/supreme/boards/jud_nom. Comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Monday, June 8.
The Montana Water Court, located in Bozeman, was created by the 1979 Montana Legislature. The court has exclusive jurisdiction over the adjudication of all water rights claims in Montana. The associate water judge is appointed by the chief justice of the Montana Supreme Court. This judgeship is not subject to general election. Public comment regarding the applicant is an extremely important part of the appointment process, especially given that Montanans do not have an opportunity to vote on the associate judge position.
The Judicial Nomination Commission welcomes public comment, either in writing (email or paper) or via telephone (406-841-2972). The Commission finds it helpful if people submitting comment provide information indicating how they know the applicant and describing their experience with the applicant. These comments, which become part of the applicant’s file, will be posted on the commission’s web page and forwarded to Chief Justice Mike McGrath. Public comment may be submitted to: Judicial Nomination Commission, c/o Lois Menzies, Office of Court Administrator, P.O. Box 203005, Helena, MT 59620-3005 or by email at mtsupremecourt@mt.gov.
After reviewing the application and public comment and interviewing the applicant, if necessary, the commission will forward Judge Brown’s name to the chief justice for consideration for reappointment. If reappointed, Judge Brown is subject to Senate confirmation during the 2021 legislative session. He will serve a four-year term if confirmed.
Judicial Nomination Commission members are District Judge John C. Brown of Bozeman; Janice Bishop of Missoula; Karl Englund of Missoula; Elizabeth Halverson of Billings; Hal Harper of Helena; Lane Larson of Billings; and Nancy Zadick of Great Falls.
