26 January 2015

Anne Galloway, founder of VT Digger, published this report today on the judiciary budget crisis:

http://vtdigger.org/2015/01/26/judiciary-says-500000-cut-lead-court-delays/

it’s a summary of what has been happening in appropriations  committee hearings last week. Although the VBA opposed not only the $500,000 cut in the FY 16 budget year but also the $730,473 rescission in this year’s budget. Unfortunately the judiciary did not contest this year’s cut. My testimony fell on deaf ears since the recipient of that money really didn’t object. No, I don’t know why.

If you followed the link last week to the letters submitted by the court, check it out again today. I’ve added a letter from the chair of the House Appropriations Committee to the Chief Justice. Please continue to contact you legislators, concentrating now on your senators. If you have clients that are being prejudiced by these cuts, relate that case or, even better, have the client contact his or her senator.

On a more positive note, the House Judiciary Committee is scheduling its third hearing on the Uniform Transfer to Minors Act. It looks as though after many attempts, Vermont may finally adopt UTMA, leaving only South Carolina still operating under the UGMA. Updates to the Vermont Limited Liability Company Act and to probate administration have been submitted to legislative council and are being drafted for introduction.

Anyway, here’s a list of bills by title only that may be of interest to some of you. All house bill can be found here: http://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/all-house/2016

Senate bills are here: http://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/all-senate/2016

H. 3- adverse possession

H. 6- shoreland protection standards

H. 12- licensing consumer litigation funding companies

H. 13- regulating flood insurance coverage requirements

H. 23- Uniform Transfer to Minors Act
H. 53- isolation distances for potable water supplies and wastewater systems

S. 3- licensing consumer litigation funding companies

S. 9- improving Vermont's system for protecting children from abuse and neglect

S.17- 10-year statute of repose for actions arising out of improvements to real property

S.26- physician expert witnesses in medical malpractice actions