MT SB66

Expands the definition of "judicial officers" to include water court judges, standing masters, and administrative judges or hearing examiners, in addition to supreme court justices, district court judges, justices of the peace, municipal judges, and city judges

Adds a new statutory definition of "bias" as prejudice for or against a party arising from reasons other than case facts or governing law, which may be inferred from comments, facial expressions, prior activity, distortion of law, or conflicts of interest

Creates a definition of "conflict of interest" as when a judicial officer has a financial, political, or other interest that arguably creates bias

Establishes definitions for "impartiality" (making decisions fairly without evidence of bias) and "open-mindedness" (willingness to consider opposing views, remain open to persuasion, acknowledge appearance of bias, and treat cases according to facts and law)

Amends Section 1-1-202, MCA, requested by the Senate Select Committee on Judicial Oversight and Reform