Judicial Nomination Process Proposals – S.179
S.179 has been scheduled for testimony next Thursday, February 3 at 10:45 am in Senate Judiciary. The bill proposes several significant changes to Judicial Nomination and Appointment processes, including (in part): making public the names that the JNB sends to the Governor; requiring the JNB to select not less than two and not more than 25% of the persons who apply for a vacancy; reducing the number of years of experience practicing in Vermont an applicant must have before applying; requiring the Governor to make the appointment within 60 days after receiving a list of nominees; and prohibiting the Governor from refusing to make an appointment from the list and from requesting the JNB to submit additional names. It also proposes that a candidate for the Public Utility Commission need not be required to satisfy a “legal knowledge and ability” requirement. The bill is linked HERE .
If you would like to comment on the bill, please email Teri Corsones at tcorsones@vtbar.org by next Wednesday, February 2. Comments will be compiled for the Senate Judiciary testimony. Thanks very much.