2-15-2051. (Temporary) Judicial performance evaluation commission -- appointment -- members -- rulemaking. (1) There is a judicial performance evaluation commission. The commission consists of 11 members as follows:

(a) one member appointed by the president of the senate and one member appointed by the senate minority leader;

(b) one member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one member appointed by the house minority leader;

(c) four members appointed by the governor, including only one member currently or formerly licensed to practice law in Montana; and

(d) three members appointed by the chief justice of the supreme court, including only one member currently or formerly licensed to practice law in Montana.

(2) A person currently serving as a legislator or a judge may not be appointed to the commission.

(3) (a) A commission member appointed under subsection (1) serves a 4-year term. Terms of the commission members must be staggered.

(b) A member may not serve more than three consecutive terms.

(c) When a vacancy arises in the commission, the replacement must be appointed for the unexpired term by the same appointing authority that appointed the member whose departure created the vacancy.

(4) The commission shall elect a presiding officer from among its members.

(5) The commission shall provide recommendations to the legislature regarding the commission's budget and if the judicial performance evaluation program should be expanded to other courts.

(6) The commission may adopt rules to implement the provisions of 3-1-1702 through 3-1-1706. (Terminates June 30, 2035--sec. 14, Ch. 765, L. 2025.)