Legislative Preview -- Jan. 4, 2010

Since this is the second year of a biennium, legislators face bills held over from last year as well as new bills that may be introduced. Here are some issues with civil liberties implications:

Reproductive freedom rights. A “fetal rights bill” could be a wedge to a wider discussion of reproductive freedom issues. Likely efforts could be a parental notification bill or similar restrictive legislation. Read an overview of the issue. Read the ACLU’s letter to Sen. Richard Sears, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and one of the sponsors of an “Assault of a pregnant woman” bill.

Campaign finance reform. Vermont is still without a replacement for the campaign finance law rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court four years ago. Past attempts have ended with gubernatorial vetoes. Read observations on campaign finance reform following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Randall v. Sorrell.

Financial disclosure. Despite the state’s desire to limit the role of money in campaigns, Vermont is one of only a few states not to require financial disclosure statements by candidates for statewide elected office. We hope to see legislation introduced to change that.

Marijuana decriminalization. A bill that would substitute a civil penalty for criminal charges against someone possessing an ounce of marijuana or less was introduced in the House last year. Two years ago the Senate passed a bill that prescribed diversion for first-time offenders. Successful consideration in the two chambers could face a gubernatorial veto, but legislative support has been building.

Racial profiling. The state continues to rely on voluntary efforts by police to collect “stop data” that would show whether profiling occurs in the state. We hope legislation is introduced that would mirror the federal “End Racial Profiling” law under consideration in Congress. Profiling is wrong and counter-productive; simply put, it’s bad policing.

Computer use in Senate. In 2008 the Senate Rules Committee banned the use of laptop computers, BlackBerrys, Palm Pilots, or other electronic equipment anywhere in the chamber. Reporters are exempted, but members of the public in the galleries can view only “hard” copies of bills and must use pen and paper to take notes. Adoption of the protocol effectively inhibits citizens’ rights to hold government accountable and is odd as Vermont works to become the first “e-state.”

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