Montana House Bill HB933

Montana 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/27/23
• Refer: 3/27/23

Caption

Adopt the original 13th amendment

Impact

The implications of HB 933 are significant, as it attempts to alter how titles and professions are treated under state law. By advocating for the recognition of the original 13th amendment, the bill proposes to prevent citizens from holding titles of nobility, thus reinforcing a foundational aspect of American democracy. The legislation denotes a move toward bolstering the role of local governance and reducing outsized influence from judicial entities that members of the legislature argue compromise the integrity of elected offices and public trust.

Summary

House Bill 933 aims to recognize and ratify the original 13th amendment to the United States Constitution, which prohibits titles of nobility among citizens. The bill seeks to restore the amendment's place in law by articulating the idea that it should be included in the Constitution as part of the foundational legal framework once ratified by the requisite number of states. Furthermore, it is intended to challenge the perceived encroachment of the bar association into the state’s executive and legislative branches, thereby asserting the people's constitutional rights to elect county attorneys who are not bar members.

Contention

The discussions surrounding HB 933 highlight notable contention regarding its broader implications on governance and legal interpretation. Critics may argue that this bill could disrupt the established legal framework by challenging the legitimacy of the bar association and its role in the judiciary. Proponents underscore the necessity of the bill to curtail judicial overreach and to restore an intended balance between state rights and federal mandates. The dialogue suggests that while the bill seeks to reaffirm constitutional principles, it also raises questions about its practical execution and the extent to which it may affect existing legal protocols and professional licensure.