House concurs with Senate changes to judicial nominations bill

The Vermont House of Representatives concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment to House Bill 780, which relates to judicial nominations and appointments, and adopted a further House amendment during the May 7, 2024 morning session. Representative Rachelson of Burlington explained the Senate changes and the House's amendment before the concurrence vote.

On the floor, Representative Rachelson summarized the principal alterations between the House and Senate versions. She said the Senate had added a legislative intent section and made several substantive changes in appointment and qualification language, including adjustments to how many years of practice are required and how many of those years must be in Vermont for certain judicial candidates and magistrates. She also described the removal of language the House had originally included allowing nomination by another person, and noted a committee vote in favor of the House's amendment.

The House put the concurrence question and, by voice vote, the ayes carried; the body then approved a motion to suspend the rules to message its action to the Senate. The transcript records voice votes only; no roll-call tallies appear in the record.

The House then recessed for caucus and scheduled a reconvene at 1:30 p.m.