Senate Committee on Judiciary

AGENDA

Room 1 and Zoom

January 20, 2026 - January 23, 2026

Last Updated 1/23/2026 10:08 AM

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are livestreamed at

https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/streaming/senate-judiciary.

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

9:30 AM                   Senate Floor

10:00 AM                   S. 193 - An act relating to establishing a forensic facility for certain criminal justice-involved persons

Walk Through

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

10:25 AM                   Break

10:35 AM                   S. 208 - An act relating to standards for law enforcement identification

Discussion and Markup

Sophie Zdatny, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

Hillary Chutter-Ames, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

11:30 PM                   Adjourn

1:00 PM                   Governor's 2027 Budget Address

Joint Assembly, House Chamber

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

9:10 AM                   S. 209 - An act relating to prohibiting civil arrest in sensitive locations

Discussion and Markup

Lise Sparrow, Reverend, Vermont Interfaith Action

Charlie Gliserman, Director of Policy, Vermont Network Against Domestic & Sexual Violence

Rik Sehgal, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

10:05 AM                   Break

10:10 AM                   PR.4 - Declaration of rights; government for the people; equality of rights

Witness Testimony

Julio Thompson, Director, Civil Rights Unit, Office of the Attorney General

Rev. Mark Hughes, Executive Director, Vermont Racial Justice Alliance

Cary Brown, Executive Director, Vermont Commission on Women

10:40 AM                   Break

11:15 AM                   S. 183 - An act relating to home improvement and land improvement fraud

Walk Through

Michele Childs, Team Lead Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

11:35 PM                   Adjourn

1:00 PM                   Senate Floor

Thursday, January 22, 2026

9:00 AM                   S. 183 - An act relating to home improvement and land improvement fraud

Witness Testimony

Kim McManus, Legislative Attorney, Department of State's Attorneys and Sheriffs

Todd Daloz, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs, Attorney General's Office

9:40 AM                   Break

10:00 AM                   S. 183 - An act relating to home improvement and land improvement fraud

Witness Testimony

Matthew Valerio, Defender General, Defender General's Office

10:20 AM                   Break

10:25 AM                   Supreme Court Justice Confirmation Hearing

Witness Testimony

Jeffrey Amestoy, Former Chief Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court

11:00 AM                   Supreme Court Justice Confirmation Hearing

Follow-up Hearing of Christina E. Nolan

Christina Nolan, Vermont Supreme Court Nominee

11:35 AM                   Adjourn

1:00 PM                   Senate Floor

Friday, January 23, 2026

9:05 AM                   Supreme Court Justice Confirmation Hearing

Witness Testimony

Joseph Perella, Retired Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont

Owen Foster, J.D., Chair, Green Mountain Care Board

Nikolas Kerest, Former U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont

Tristram Coffin, Former U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont

10:00 AM                   Break

10:10 AM                   Supreme Court Justice Confirmation Hearing

Witness Testimony

Charles Martin, Attorney, Martin Delaney & Ricci Law Group

Michael Drescher, Vermont Supreme Court Nominee

11:30 AM                   Adjourn

11:30 AM                   Senate Floor

ATTENTION WITNESSES

Please email handouts to the committee assistant at least 24 hours before your scheduled meeting time. With few exceptions, any documents you send to a committee assistant are open to the public and may be posted to the committee’s web page.

Should you require accessibility services, please click here and note that requests should be made 48 hours in advance of testimony.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact

 Emery Mattheis at Emery.Mattheis@vtleg.gov