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LC 2634

House resolution for impeachment of a supreme court justice

2025 Regular Session

Montana House resolution proposing state Supreme Court justice impeachment died in legislative drafting before advancing to floor consideration.

(LC) Draft Died in Process
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Bill Summary · LC 2634

Legislative bill overview

House Resolution 2634 is a Montana legislative measure proposing the impeachment of a state Supreme Court justice. The resolution never advanced beyond the drafting stage, dying in the legislative process on May 27, 2025, after a drafter was assigned in December 2024.

Why is this important

Impeachment of state Supreme Court justices is extraordinarily rare and represents a significant constitutional check on judicial power. Such measures raise fundamental questions about judicial independence, the separation of powers, and what conduct warrants removal from the bench—issues that affect public confidence in the entire legal system.

Potential points of contention

  • Grounds for impeachment: No public record indicates what specific conduct or rulings prompted the resolution, making it unclear whether the proposed impeachment met the constitutional standard of "high crimes and misdemeanors" or equivalent state language
  • Judicial independence vs. accountability: Impeachment threats could be weaponized against judges whose rulings displease the legislature, or conversely, legitimate misconduct might go unaddressed if the threshold is set too high
  • Procedural legitimacy: The resolution died before details emerged, leaving questions about whether adequate due process protections and evidentiary standards were incorporated

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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