LAW 618, THE MONTANA CONSTITUTION (SPRING 2015)
Tue. & Thurs. 4:00 - 5:30, Rm. 215; Prof. Anthony Johnstone, Rm. 312 (x6711)
This course considers the history, development, and future of the Montana
Constitution from a comparative perspective. Beginning with the forces that led to
the Constitutional Convention of 1972 and ratification of a new constitution, it
surveys the structure of Montana state government and key provisions in the
Declaration of Rights. It pays particular attention to distinctive provisions such as
the right of privacy, the right to know, and the right to a clean and healthful
environment. Throughout, the course considers the role of popular sovereignty in the
ratification, amendment, and interpretation of the constitution over time.
Objectives. Students should develop a practical understanding of: the primary
distinctions between state and federal constitutional texts and practices in general;
the origins and development of individual rights and governmental powers in the
Montana Constitution; and the dynamics of formal and informal constitutional
change through amendment and interpretation. Skills emphasized: problem solving,
legal analysis, legal research, communication, and litigation.
Readings. Montana cases and materials will be supplemented by Holland et al.’s
State Constitutional Law: The Modern Experience (West 2010) (denoted SCL: chapter
and section). Also be prepared to engage your classmates’ arguments for that week.
Questions. I am generally available in my office except immediately before class.
Stop by any time my door is open or email for an appointment. Otherwise, please post
questions on Moodle rather than emailing so your colleagues can benefit from them.
Assessment. Your grade has four components: discussion (20%), argument (20%),
page (10%), and opinion (50%). Discussion measures ongoing constructive
engagement in class discussion, including engagement as judges in classmates’
arguments. Argument measures the research, analysis, and presentation of two
briefs posted on Moodle (500 wds.) and argued in class (3-5 mins.): an opening brief
arguing a case related to a day’s topic (10%, posted 72 hours before class, limit two
per day), and a response in opposition to a classmate’s brief from a different day
(10%, posted 24 hours before class, one response per presentation); the case may be
real (from Montana or other courts) or possible (e.g., from bills or other proposals).
Select one day from the first half (classes 3-14) and one day from the second half
(classes 15-26); selections are final (unless a classmate will swap). Page measures the
legal research into the legislative history of a section of the constitution posted on the
MonConWiki (details to be announced). Opinion measures the legal research,
analysis, and writing of a 2500-word minimum (5000-word minimum for AWR)
judicial opinion and dissent, due by e-mail no later than 5pm May 22.
Academic Honesty. All students must practice academic honesty. Academic
misconduct is subject to an academic penalty by the course instructor and/or a
disciplinary sanction by the University. All students need to be familiar with the
Student Conduct Code of the University of Montana. Law students should also be
familiar with the Law School Honor Code in the Law Student Handbook.
Disabilities. The University of Montana assures equal access to instruction
through collaboration between students with disabilities, instructors, and Disability
Services for Students (“DSS”). If you think you may have a disability adversely
affecting your academic performance, and you have not already registered with DSS,
please contact DSS in Lommasson 154. The Law School will work with you and DSS
to provide an appropriate accommodation.
Spring 2015
THE MONTANA CONSTITUTION
PART I: INTRODUCTION
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History, Drafting, and Ratification of the Montana Constitution
Mont. Const. Preamble
SCL: I (Introduction)
*Part 1, The Montana State Constitution, Larry M. Elison and Fritz Snyder
*For This and Future Generations … (57 min. video)
In re Graybill, 159 Mont. 549 (1972); Burger v. Judge, 364 F. Supp. 504
(1973)
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Introduction to State Constitutions
Mont. Const. Art. I (Compact with the United States)
SCL: II (Framing and History of State Constitutions)
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Constitutional Revision
Mont. Const. Art. II, § 1 (Popular sovereignty)
Mont. Const. Art. II, § 2 (Self-government)
Mont. Const. Art. XIV (Constitutional Revision)
SCL: XVI.A-D (Amendment and Revision)
Harper v. Greely, 234 Mont. 259 (1988); Marshall v. Cooney, 1999 MT 33
4.
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The Independence of State Constitutional Law
Mont. Const. Art. II, § 10 (Right of privacy)
Mont. Const. Art. II, § 11 (Searches & seizures)
SCL: IV (Theories of State Constitutional Distinctions)
State v. Bullock, 272 Mont. 361 (1995) (Issues 2 & 3)
PART II: POWERS
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Executive Power
Mont. Const. Art. III, § 1 (Separation of powers)
Mont. Const. Art. VI, § 4 (Executive duties)
Mont. Const. Art. X, § 9 (Boards of education)
SCL: XV.A-B.1, C.1, E (Organization of State Governments)
Board of Regents v. Judge, 168 Mont. 433 (1975); MEA-AFT v. McCulloch,
2012 MT 211; Petition to Transfer Territory v. Lame Deer SD, 2000 MT 342
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Legislative Power: Bill Titles
Mont. Const. Art. III, § 4 (Initiative)
Mont. Const. Art. V, § 11 (Bills)
SCL: XIV.A-B (Single Subject Rules)
Montana Auto. Ass'n v. Greely, 193 Mont. 378 (1981)
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Legislative Power: Special Legislation
Mont. Const. Art. V, § 11 (Bills)
Mont. Const. Art. V, § 12 (Local and Special Legislation)
Grossman v. Dept. Natural Resources, 209 Mont. 427 (1984) (Pts. IV & VII);
Oberson v. U.S.D.A., 2007 MT 293; Rohlfs v. Klemhagen, 2009 MT 440
8.
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Legislative Power: Taxing & Spending
Mont. Const. Art. II, § 4 (Individual dignity)
Mont. Const. Art. VIII, § 1 (Tax purposes)
SCL: XIV.C [25] (Public Purpose Requirements)
White v. State, 233 Mont. 81 (1988); Kottel v. State, 2002 MT 278
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Spring 2015
THE MONTANA CONSTITUTION
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Judicial Power
Mont. Const. Art. VII, § 2 (Supreme court jurisdiction)
Mont. Const. Art. XI, § 7 (Terms and pay)
Mont. Const. Art. XI, § 9 (Qualifications)
SCL: XV.D.1 (Judicial Power)
Coate v. Omholt, 203 Mont. 488 (1983); Reichert v. State ex rel. McCulloch,
2012 MT 111
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Open Courts
Mont. Const. Art. II, § 16 (The administration of justice)
SCL: XII (The Right to a Remedy and Open Courts)
Meech v. Hillhaven West, 248 Mont. 21 (1989)
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Local Government
Mont. Const. Art. XI, § 4 (General powers)
Mont. Const. Art. XI, § 6 (Self-government powers)
Mont. Code Ann. § 7-1-111 (Powers denied)
D & F Sanitation Service v. City of Billings, 219 Mont. 437 (1986); American
Cancer Society v. State, 2004 MT 376; Phillips v. Whitefish, 2014 MT 186
(Issue 2)
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Education
Mont. Const. Art. X, § 1 (Educational goals and duties)
SCL: XI.A, C, E (School Funding Litigation)
Helena Elementary S.D. v. State, 236 Mont. 44; Columbia Falls Elem. SD v.
State, 2005 MT 69; Kaptein v. Conrad School Dist., 281 Mont. 152 (1997)
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PART III: RIGHTS
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Background of State Constitutional Rights
Mont. Const. Art. II, § 3 (Inalienable rights)
Mont. Const. Art. XII, § 3 (Institutions and assistance)
SCL: VI.A (Due Process Introduction)
Butte Community Union v. Lewis, 219 Mont. 426 (1986); Wadsworth v.
Department of Revenue, 275 Mont. 287 (1996); Wiser v. State, 2006 MT 20;
Montana Cannabis Industry Ass’n v. Montana, 2012 MT 201
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Dignity, Equal Protection, & Nondiscrimination: Introduction
Mont. Const. Art. II, § 4 (Individual dignity)
Mont. Const. Art. II, § 15 (Rights of persons not adults)
SCL: V.A (Equality Introduction), V.D (Age), & V.F (Economic Rights)
Stratemeyer v. Lincoln Co., 276 Mont. 67 (1993); Caldwell v. MACO Workers
Comp Trust, 2011 MT 162
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Dignity, Equal Protection, & Nondiscrimination: Race & Sex
Mont. Const. Art. II, § 4 (Individual dignity)
V.B-C (Racial & Gender Equality)
Dupuis v. Bd. of Trustees, 2006 MT 3; In re Cram, 186 Mont. 37 (1980)
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Dignity, Equal Protection, & Nondiscrimination: Sexual Orientation
Mont. Const. Art. II, § 4 (Individual dignity)
SCL: V.E (Sexual Orientation)
Snetsinger v. Montana US, 2004 MT 390; Donaldson v. State, 2012 MT 288
Spring 2015
THE MONTANA CONSTITUTION
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Privacy: Introduction
Mont. Const. Art. II, § 10 (Right of privacy)
SCL: XIII.A (Privacy) & VI.C (Intimate Association)
State v. Nelson, 283 Mont. 231 (1997); Gryczan v. State, 283 Mont. 433 (1997)
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Right to Know and Right to Participate
Mont. Const. Art. II, §8 (Right of participation)
Mont. Const. Art. II, § 9 (Right to know)
Mont. Human Rights Div. v. City of Billings, 199 Mont. 434 (1982); Bryan v.
Yellowstone Co. SD, 2002 MT 264; Billings Gazette v. City of Billings, 2013
MT 334
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Privacy: Reproductive Autonomy
Mont. Const. Art. II, § 10 (Right of privacy)
SCL: VI.B (Reproductive Autonomy)
Armstrong v. State, 1999 MT 261
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Privacy: Bodily Integrity (Dignity, revisited)
Mont. Const. Art. II, § 10 (Right of privacy)
SCL: VI.E (Bodily Integrity)
Walker v. State, 2003 MT 134; Baxter v. State, 2009 MT 449
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Freedom of Religion
Mont. Const. Art. II, § 5 (Freedom of religion)
Mont. Const. Art. X, § 6 (Aid prohibited to sectarian schools)
SCL: X (Religion Clauses)
Big Sky Colony v. Dept. Labor & Industry, 2012 MT 320
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Freedom of Expression
Mont. Const. Art. II, § 6 (Freedom of assembly)
Mont. Const. Art. II, § 7 (Freedom of expression)
XIII.B (Free Speech & Expression)
State v. Dugan, 2013 MT 38; (review Montana Auto. Ass’n v. Greely)
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Due Process
Mont. Const. Art. II, § 17 (Due process of law)
SCL: VI.F (Procedural Due Process)
State v. Stanko, 1998 MT 321; Matter of K.G.F., 2001 MT 140
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Economic Rights
Mont. Const. Art. II, § 29 (Eminent domain)
SCL: IX.A-C (Property Rights)
Buhmann v. State, 2008 MT 465 (Issues 3-5)
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Right to a Clean and Healthful Environment
Mont. Const. Art. IX, § 1
Kadillak v. Anaconda Co., 184 Mont. 127 (1979) (Issue 1); MEIC v. DEQ,
1999 MT 248; Cape-France Enterprises v. Estate of Peed, 2001 MT 139;
Northern Plains Resource Council v. Mont. Bd. Land Comm’rs, 2012 MT 234
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Implied Constitutional Remedies & Attorneys Fees
Mont. Const. Art. II, § 34 (Unenumerated rights)
SCL: XV.D.4 (Implied Constitutional Remedies)
Dorwart v. Caraway, 2002 MT 240; Sunburst SD v. Texaco, 2007 MT 183
(Issue 3); Western Tradition Partnership v. Atty Gen., 2012 MT 271
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