3-7-221. Appointment of chief water judge and associate water judge -- terms of office. (1) The chief justice of the Montana supreme court shall appoint a chief water judge as provided in Title 3, chapter 1, part 9. The chief justice of the Montana supreme court may appoint an associate water judge.
(2) To be eligible for the office of chief water judge or associate water judge, a person shall have the qualifications for district court or supreme court judges found in Article VII, section 9, of the Montana constitution.
(3) The term of office of the chief water judge and the associate water judge is 4 years, subject to continuation of the water divisions by the legislature.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 442, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 651, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 335, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 9, Ch. 62, L. 2021.
Structure Montana Code Annotated
3-7-201. Designation of water judge
3-7-204. Supervision and administration by supreme court
3-7-205. through 3-7-210 reserved
3-7-211. Appointment of water commissioners
3-7-212. Enforcement of decrees
3-7-214. through 3-7-220 reserved
3-7-221. Appointment of chief water judge and associate water judge -- terms of office
3-7-222. Salary -- office space
3-7-223. Duties of chief water judge
3-7-224. Jurisdiction of chief water judge and associate water judge