Senate Committee on Judiciary

 

AGENDA

 

Room 1 and Zoom

February 10, 2026 - February 13, 2026

Last Updated 2/13/2026 11:20 AM

 

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are livestreamed at

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

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

9:30 AM                   Senate Floor

 

10:00 AM                   S. 151 - An act relating to special motions to strike in an action arising from unpaid volunteer work for a nonprofit organization or governmental entity

Witness Testimony

Benjamin Brickner, Attorney, Chair of Pomfret Selectboard, and former board member of Rainbow Playschool

Emma Paradis, Common Good Vermont Co-Director, United Way of Northwest Vermont

 

10:25 AM                   Break

 

10:30 AM                   S. 179 - An act relating to the Uniform Disclaimer of Property Interests Act

Witness Testimony

Matthew Getty, Attorney, Vermont Bar Association

Erik FitzPatrick, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

Chris D'Elia, President, Vermont Bankers' Association

 

11:15 AM                   Break

 

11:45 AM                   H. 545 - An act relating to issuing immunization recommendations

Discussion

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

Jessica Schifano, Policy Director, Department of Health

 

12:00 PM                   Adjourn

 

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

9:00 AM                   Public Safety and Chittenden County Pilot

This will be a Joint Meeting with House Judiciary. It will be held in Room 267 in the Pavilion Building and livestreamed on: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSthinr8UcoOyOCihREkRvA/featured

Zach Weight, Deputy State's Attorney, Washington County

Sarah George, State's Attorney, Chittenden County

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

 

10:00 AM                   Break

 

10:15 AM                   Public Safety and Chittenden County Pilot

Continued testimony

Matthew Valerio, Defender General, Defender General's Office

Judge Thomas Zonay, Chief Superior Judge, Vermont Judiciary

Teri Corsones, State Court Administrator, Vermont Judiciary

Maria Godleski, Assistant District Manager, Burlington Probation and Parole

Nicole DiStasio, Director of Policy, Department of Mental Health

Renee Weeks, Director of Complex Care & Field Services, Agency of Human Services

 

12:00 PM                   Adjourn

 

1:00 PM                   Senate Floor

 

Thursday, February 12, 2026

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

Mark-up

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

 

9:30 AM                   S. 193 - An act relating to establishing a forensic facility for certain criminal justice-involved persons

Witness Testimony

Jared Bianchi, Deputy State's Attorney, Department of State's Attorneys and Sheriffs

Judge Thomas Zonay, Chief Superior Judge, Vermont Judiciary

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

 

10:00 AM                   Break

 

10:15 AM                   H. 545 - An act relating to issuing immunization recommendations

Witness Testimony

Alison Despathy, Citizen, Health Choice Vermont

Lauren Layman, General Counsel, Department of Health

 

10:40 AM                   Break

 

10:50 AM                   S. 193 - An act relating to establishing a forensic facility for certain criminal justice-involved persons

Witness Testimony

Matthew Valerio, Defender General, Defender General's Office

Jared Bianchi, Deputy State's Attorney, Department of State's Attorneys and Sheriffs

 

12:00 PM                   Adjourn

 

1:00 PM                   Senate Floor

 

Friday, February 13, 2026

9:00 AM                   S. 193 - An act relating to establishing a forensic facility for certain criminal justice-involved persons

Discussion and Witness Testimony

Erik FitzPatrick, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

Domenica Padula, Chief of Criminal Division, Attorney General's Office

 

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

Witness Testimony

Jason Webster, Co-President, Owner, Huntington Homes, Inc.

Andrew Brewer, Manager of Government and Public Affairs, Downs Rachlin Martin, LLC

 

10:30 AM                   S. 193 - An act relating to establishing a forensic facility for certain criminal justice-involved persons

Witness Testimony

Kelly Carroll, Voices for Vermont Victims

Alex Margolies, Citizen

Lee Anne Billings, Citizen

 

11:15 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