The General Assembly is back and so is this “weekly” report. Although it is very early, I at least wanted to report to you on the membership of both the Senate and House Judiciary Committees. Although those are not the only committees the VBA works with, they are the ones with which we spend the most time. There are changes to the membership of both committees, although the change on the Senate side is really only one member. Senator Kevin Mullin is new while Senator Nitka served on House Judiciary during her first term as a representative. Here is the Senate Committee:

• Sears of Bennington  County, Chair
• Campbell of Windsor County, Vice-Chair
• Cummings of Washington County
• Mullin of Rutland County
• Nitka of Windsor County

Two changes to note here: only John Campbell is an attorney and the committee has, for the first time, only five, not six, members.

On the House side the committee is:
• Lippert, Chair (Hinesburg)
• Grad, Vice-Chair (Moretown)
• Flory (Pittsford)
• Allard  ( St. Albans Town)
• Clarkson  ( Woodstock)
• Donaghy  (Poultney)
• Gervais  (Enosburg)
• Jewett  (Ripton)
• Komline  (Dorset)
• Marek  (Newfane)
• Pellett  ( Chester)

Here, the lawyers are Maxine Grad, Peg Flory (who is returning to this committee after having chaired it in the past), Willem Jewett, and Richard Marek, a retired lawyer from Michigan.

The first few bills of interest from this week are:

H. 2- would eliminate punitive damages and limit non-economic damages against professionals or licensed occupations; http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/bills/intro/H-002.htm

H. 4- increases juror compensation; http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/bills/intro/H-004.htm

H. 5- separates legislative and judicial branch appropriations from the general process http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/bills/intro/H-005.htm

H. 21- increases the homestead exemption to $180,000 from $75,000 http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/bills/intro/H-021.htm

S. 18- This bill proposes to require that a custodial parent notify the noncustodial parent of any intentions to relocate a substantial distance with the child. The noncustodial parent may request a hearing on the matter if he or she objects, and the burden shall be upon the custodial parent to prove that the move is in the best interests of the child.

http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2008/bills/intro/S-018.htm

I am always seeking lawyers who would be willing to contact their legislators if called upon by the VBA. In particular, we are seeking lawyers with an established relationship with one or more legislators. Now that you know who serves on the two Judiciary Committees, if you would be willing to be called upon as needed in this regard, please let me know at bpaolini@vtbar.org. We appreciate your willingness to help!

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