Judiciary committee hears reconfirmation statements, moves large consent calendar of nominees

The Judiciary Committee convened a public hearing on Feb. 20 to consider reconfirmations and new appointments across the state bench, hearing opening statements from more than two dozen nominees and moving the bulk of those nominations onto a consent calendar for roll-call consideration.

Nominees described long public-service records and current duties. "I was first appointed on to the bench on 05/05/2010," said Susan Quinn Cobb, who detailed 16 years on the Superior Court and her current work as a senior judge on a reduced schedule. Committee members pressed several nominees on availability; Cobb told the committee she typically works Tuesday through Thursday and coordinates time off with branch scheduling.

Representative Fishbein raised a procedural question for Cobb about her questionnaire: "Your questionnaire, was not signed," he said, noting Cobb's form appeared typed rather than handwritten. Cobb replied that she had submitted it remotely and would sign it if necessary, and she reaffirmed the accuracy of the responses.

A small number of nominees faced more pointed scrutiny. Committee members discussed a Windsor-based nominee who had previously received an admonishment in chambers; members said they were satisfied with the steps the nominee described to address the matter. "I intend to support judge Bhatt here today," Representative Fishbein said after the public hearing, while Senator Winfield underscored that such incidents can have lasting effects on people who appear in court.

The committee also recorded several instances of recusals noted on the record and confirmed that staff would treat those recusals when tallying roll-call votes. After taking motions to favor or report on dozens of nominations, the administrator read the consent calendar listing the nominees to be advanced. The chair announced that the committee would hold votes open until 1:30 p.m. so members who were remote or needed to recuse themselves could be reached.

The hearing concluded without contested defeats reported on the floor; most nominees were placed on the consent calendar and will proceed to roll-call consideration. The committee said it will begin substantive bill hearings next Friday and recessed until votes close.

The committee did not cite any new statutes or budgetary measures during the session; questions centered on personnel, prior complaint dispositions and judicial scheduling.

The committee is expected to publish the official roll-call tallies for the consent calendar once all remote and recusal votes are reconciled and recorded.