Missoula County opposes HB 131 – Specifying a county attorney’s obligation in certain legal matters, before House Local Government this afternoon. HB 131 attempts to require county attorneys to serve the needs of the county commission ahead of other duties that are statutorily required; duties that include representing other districts within a county, such as hospital districts and fire districts. While the concept is sound, implementation could create a conflict of interest. An attorney’s code of ethics already provides the remedy to the potential for conflict and reassures both county commissioners and the other entities listed in HB 131 that both their interests are protected. HB 131 improperly removes these ethical considerations and places the county attorney in a position of choosing between following the code of ethics or risking disbarment spurred by an ethics violation.
Sent afternoon of Jan. 22:
ReplyDeleteRepresentative Marler,
Missoula County opposes HB 131 – Specifying a county attorney’s obligation in certain legal matters, before House Local Government this afternoon. HB 131 attempts to require county attorneys to serve the needs of the county commission ahead of other duties that are statutorily required; duties that include representing other districts within a county, such as hospital districts and fire districts. While the concept is sound, implementation could create a conflict of interest. An attorney’s code of ethics already provides the remedy to the potential for conflict and reassures both county commissioners and the other entities listed in HB 131 that both their interests are protected. HB 131 improperly removes these ethical considerations and places the county attorney in a position of choosing between following the code of ethics or risking disbarment spurred by an ethics violation.
Please oppose HB 131.