MARCH 27, 2027 -- Since 2006, Gavel to Gavel has tracked state-by-state legislative activity with potential impact on state courts.
Featured State: Montana
- House considers bill to create a legislative committee “to investigate district court judges and supreme court justices to determine their independence and the quality of their rulings and to disseminate this information.”
- House rejects resolution to declare Marbury v. Madison misinterpreted. "That the belief that the court has exclusive authority to interpret the constitution and that its decisions are binding on the other two branches is a myth."
- House committees approve bills to
- Audit the Office of DisciplinaryCouncil;
- Revise grounds for impeachment for judges and others to include "oppressive use of one's office"; and
- Allow legislative and executive leadership to vacate a writ of mandamus.
- Senate committees reject billsto
- Audit the State Bar of Montana; and
- Create a general claims court to hear constitutional challenges to laws.
- Senate committee approves bill to move the workers' compensation court into the judicial branch.
- Florida Senate committee approves bill to provide criminal penalties for persons who willfully or maliciously harass or cyberstalk specified justice system personnel.
- Maryland Senate approves bill to establish minimum adequate security standards for courtroom security at all courthouse facilities.
- Tennessee Senate committee approves bill to provide that a person commits a Class E felony offense when they harm or threaten to harm an individual involved in the judicial process or a family member of such person with the intent to impede, intimidate, interfere with, or retaliate against the individual in connection with the individual's participation in the judicial process, including judges and court staff.
- Georgia Senate approves bill to end partisan elections for Magistrate Court.
- Utah Governor vetoes bill that would require chief justices tobe selectedevery 4 years by the governor from sitting justices and subject to senate confirmation.Governor’s veto message notes“[W]hileit might feel good now, I believe wewould eventually come to regret rejecting ancient wisdom and injecting our own politics into the independent judiciary.”
- Oklahoma House and Senate approve separate bills to create business courts.
- New Hampshire House rejects attempt to impeach a judge over his decision in a school funding case.