Judge tells constitutional climate case attorneys to prepare for trial despite new laws

Megan Michelotti

A Lewis and Clark County judge on Friday told attorneys in the nation’s first-ever youth constitutional climate case they should continue prepare for trial as she reviews recent bills passed by the Montana Legislature that could have a direct bearing on the case. 

Attorneys for both sides debated the states’ motions for summary judgment and to partially dismiss the upcoming trial on the basis of mootness.

“I would suggest you continue to prepare for trial until you get an order,” 1st Judicial District Court Judge Kathy Seeley said. “… I don’t find this to be nearly as substantive to the issues raised in this case as you do. It is the statute that they cited, it has been clarified, and it seems to me that preparations that you have done would all be applicable to this statute as amended.”

Four of the 16 youth plaintiffs in Held v. Montana were present — Mica, 14, of Missoula; Taleah, 19, of Polson; and Lander, 18, and Badge, 15, both of Kalispell. Only their first names were used in the lawsuit because they were minors when it was filed. The case is named for Rikki Held of Broadus, who was the only plaintiff over

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