The Montana State Constitution

by Elison, Larry M.

• ISBN13: 9780313273469
• ISBN10: 0313273464
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-11-30
• Publisher: Greenwood Pub Group

Summary

Montana's idealistic state constitution was created during the politically turbulent early 1970s. Progressive and innovative, but also pragmatic, this constitutional newcomer combines a strong concern for individual rights, personal liberty, and individual dignity while seeking to keep government open and responsive to the will of the people of Montana. It also stresses rights to a clean and healthful environment. This is the first reference work to provide an in-depth analysis of the text, meaning, and legal interpretations of Montana's constitution. This book will be of interest to legal scholars and practicing attorneys, as well as students of constitutional development and interpretation, state government, and the history of the western US. It is also an excellent research tool for those interested in Montana's constitutional history and case law, and includes a comprehensive bibliographic essay dealing with available primary and secondary research sources.

Table of Contents

Series Foreword	xi
G. Alan Tarr
Foreword	xv
Governor Marc Racicot
Preface	xvii
PART I. THE CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY OF MONTANA	1	(24)
PART II. THE MONTANA CONSTITUTION AND COMMENTARY	25	(188)
Preamble	26	(2)
Compact with the United States	28	(1)
Declaration of Rights	29	(60)
Popular Sovereignty	29	(1)
Self-Government	30	(1)
Inalienable Rights	31	(3)
Individual Dignity	34	(5)
Freedom of Religion	39	(2)
Freedom of Assembly	41	(2)
Freedom of Speech, Expression, and Press	43	(3)
Right of Participation	46	(1)
Right to Know	47	(2)
Right of Privacy	49	(4)
Searches and Seizures	53	(1)
Right to Bear Arms	54	(1)
Right of Suffrage	55	(1)
Adult Rights	56	(1)
Rights of Persons Not Adults	57	(1)
The Administration of Justice	58	(3)
Due Process of Law	61	(2)
State Subject to Suit	63	(2)
Habeas Corpus	65	(1)
Initiation of Proceedings	66	(1)
Bail	67	(1)
Excessive Sanctions	68	(1)
Detention	69	(1)
Rights of the Accused	70	(1)
Self-Incrimination and Double Jeopardy	71	(4)
Trial by Jury	75	(2)
Imprisonment for Debt	77	(1)
Criminal Justice Policy---Rights of the Convicted	78	(3)
Eminent Domain	81	(1)
Treason and Descent of Estates	82	(1)
Ex Post Facto, Obligation of Contracts, and Irrevocable Privileges	83	(2)
Civilian Control of the Military	85	(1)
Importation of Armed Persons	85	(1)
Unenumerated Rights	86	(2)
Servicemen, Servicewomen, and Veterans	88	(1)
General Government	89	(11)
Separation of Powers	89	(2)
Continuity of Government	91	(1)
Oath of Office	91	(1)
Initiative	92	(3)
Referendum	95	(2)
Elections	97	(1)
Number of Electors	97	(1)
Prohibition	98	(1)
Gambling	98	(2)
Suffrage and Elections	100	(6)
Ballot	100	(1)
Qualified Elector	100	(2)
Elections	102	(1)
Eligibility for Public Office	102	(1)
Result of Elections	103	(1)
Privilege from Arrest	103	(1)
Ballot Issues---Challenges---Elections	104	(1)
Limitation on Terms of Office	105	(1)
The Legislature	106	(18)
Power and Structure	106	(2)
Size	108	(1)
Election and Terms	108	(1)
Qualifications	109	(1)
Compensation	110	(1)
Sessions	111	(1)
Vacancies	112	(1)
Immunity	112	(1)
Disqualification	113	(1)
Organization and Procedure	114	(1)
Bills	115	(3)
Local and Special Legislation	118	(1)
Impeachment	119	(3)
Districting and Apportionment	122	(2)
The Executive	124	(16)
Officers	124	(1)
Election	125	(1)
Qualifications	125	(1)
Duties	126	(1)
Compensation	127	(1)
Vacancy in Office	128	(1)
20 Departments	129	(1)
Appointing Power	130	(1)
Budget and Messages	131	(1)
Veto Power	132	(2)
Special Session	134	(1)
Pardons	135	(1)
Militia	136	(1)
Succession	137	(2)
Information for Governor	139	(1)
The Judiciary	140	(15)
Judicial Power	140	(1)
Supreme Court Jurisdiction	141	(1)
Supreme Court Organization	142	(1)
District Court Jurisdiction	143	(3)
Justices of the Peace	146	(1)
Judicial Districts	147	(1)
Terms and Pay	148	(1)
Selection	149	(2)
Qualifications	151	(1)
Forfeiture of Judicial Position	152	(1)
Removal and Discipline	153	(2)
Revenue and Finance	155	(13)
Tax Purposes	155	(1)
Tax Power Inalienable	156	(1)
Property Tax Administration	157	(1)
Equal Valuation	158	(1)
Property Tax Exemptions	159	(1)
Highway Revenue Non-Diversion	160	(1)
Tax Appeals	161	(1)
State Debt	161	(1)
Balanced Budget	162	(1)
Local Government Debt	163	(1)
Use of Loan Proceeds	164	(1)
Strict Accountability	164	(1)
Investment of Public Funds and Public Retirement System Assets	165	(1)
Prohibited Payments	166	(1)
Public Retirement System Assets	167	(1)
Limitation on Sales Tax or Use Tax Rates	167	(1)
Environment and Natural Resources	168	(9)
Protection and Improvement	168	(2)
Reclamation	170	(2)
Water Rights	172	(1)
Cultural Resources	173	(1)
Severance Tax on Coal---Trust Fund	174	(3)
Education and Public Lands	177	(12)
Educational Goals and Duties	177	(2)
Public School Fund	179	(1)
Public School Fund Inviolate	180	(1)
Board of Land Commissioners	180	(1)
Public School Fund Revenue	181	(1)
Aid Prohibited to Sectarian Schools	181	(2)
Non-Discrimination in Education	183	(1)
School District Trustees	183	(1)
Boards of Education	184	(2)
State University Funds	186	(1)
Public Land Trust, Disposition	187	(2)
Local Government	189	(7)
Definition	189	(1)
Counties	189	(1)
Forms of Government	190	(1)
General Powers	191	(1)
Self-Government Charters	191	(1)
Self-Government Powers	192	(1)
Intergovernmental Cooperation	193	(1)
Initiative and Referendum	194	(1)
Voter Review of Local Government	194	(2)
Departments and Institutions	196	(5)
Agriculture	196	(1)
Labor	197	(1)
Institutions and Assistance	198	(3)
General Provisions	201	(4)
Non-Municipal Corporations	201	(1)
Consumer Counsel	202	(1)
Repealed	203	(1)
Code of Ethics	203	(1)
Exemption Laws	204	(1)
Perpetuities	204	(1)
Constitutional Revision	205	(8)
Constitutional Convention	205	(1)
Initiative for Constitutional Convention	205	(1)
Periodic Submission	206	(1)
Call of Convention	206	(1)
Convention Expenses	207	(1)
Oath, Vacancies	207	(1)
Convention Duties	208	(1)
Amendment by Legislative Referendum	208	(1)
Amendment by Initiative	209	(2)
Petition Signers	211	(1)
Submission	211	(2)
Notes	213	(4)
Bibliographic Essay	217	(14)
Table of Cases	231	(12)
Index	243