Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Wednesday, January 29, 2014


So, once again I've let a few days pass without an update. Last Friday I was away from Montpelier attending the New England Bar Association meting in Massachusetts. Last Thursday I returned to the House Judiciary Committee for continued work on H. 581, the minor guardianship bill. The Committee continues to work its way through the bill and to reconcile some differences. That work will continue this afternoon after the House adjourns from the floor.
There is a new version of H. 88, the custody bill that may see a vote later today also in Judiciary. Now is actually a good time to point out some great improvements to the legislature’s website, especially the committee pages. Go to their home page: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/.  Follow the link to Committee Schedules and Agendas. If you click on the blue square next to the committee name, you’ll be taken to the agenda for the week. But, if you click on the name of the committee, much more information is available. So, staying with the House Judiciary Committee, following that link will take you to the materials and written testimony submitted to the Committee. And, you can sort by day, witness or bill. If, for example, you wanted to see the latest draft of H. 88. Click on “Sort by Bill”, then H.88, then Bill, Amendments and Summaries. Every committee now has these materials posted. Gone are the days when I had to come back to the VBA, scan in a bill amendment and email it to the Section list serve that might be interested in the issue.
Try it out on S. 119, the amending perpetual easement bill. The committee spent the entire morning hearing witnesses and reviewing submissions. They will return to it on Friday morning with at least two others scheduled to testify.
Tonight, starting at 5PM, the first three judges facing retention will be interviewed by the Judicial Retention Committee. They are Judges Davenport, Maley and Walsh. Refer to my post of Monday to see the full retention schedule, including the public hearing. I’ll report on tonight’s proceedings tomorrow.

As always, thanks for reading. If there is anything you think I should cover or report on which I have not please let me know. 

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