3-5-127. Appointment of standing masters -- qualifications -- disqualification. (1) A judicial district may appoint or reappoint one or more standing masters for its district with the concurrence of a majority of the judges in the district.

(2) A standing master must be:

(a) admitted to practice law in Montana for at least 3 years prior to the date of appointment;

(b) a member of good standing in the state bar of Montana; and

(c) determined by the appointing judicial district to be competent to perform the duties of the office.

(3) The judicial district shall provide public notice of all vacancies or proposed reappointments in standing master positions.

(4) A standing master shall take the oath required of judges and follow the Montana code of judicial conduct.

(5) An appointed standing master is an employee of the district court under 3-5-901.

(6) A standing master is subject to disqualification from proceeding on a matter on the same grounds as any other judicial officer. On disqualification of a standing master, the district court shall either refer the matter to another standing master in the judicial district or move the case back to its active docket for further proceedings.