Montana Legislature Rejects Bills Aimed to Shield Attorney General
In a significant legislative setback for Montana’s Attorney General Austin Knudsen, two proposed bills designed to protect him from disciplinary action failed to pass in the Legislature. Both House Bill 856 (HB 856) and Senate Bill 49 (SB 49) aimed to shield Knudsen from potential suspension as he faces disciplinary proceedings concerning disparaging remarks made about the judiciary and a previous court order violation from 2021.
The failure of these bills reflects a split among Republican senators, with Sen. Wendy McKamey expressing disappointment over the lack of support from her party. "They did not use the tools at their disposal to protect their Republican attorney general," McKamey articulated, suggesting the opposition might have stemmed from political retribution against herself and other dissenting Republicans. Senate President Matt Regier and Majority Leader Tom McGillvray dismissed her claims, asserting their votes were based on the merits of the legislation rather than personal vendettas.
HB 856 proposed extending the current three-month period for which an office would be deemed vacant due to suspension to four months, a measure that supporters argued would better reflect voters’ intentions. Notably, discussions revealed that even a proposed 90-day suspension might not automatically result in Knudsen losing his position, as sanctions could be non-consecutive.
Meanwhile, SB 49 sought to grant immunity from discipline to constitutional officers, including the attorney general, but it too faced opposition and ultimately failed. Both bills had seen initial support before losing momentum, with key legislators altering their votes in later readings.
As the Montana Supreme Court reviews the recommendations for Knudsen’s potential suspension, the outcome remains uncertain for the embattled attorney general.
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