The Vermont Senate Judiciary Committee is reviewing a proposal to restructure the state’s court systems to reduce costs.
The legislation has already cleared the House. It would consolidate some of the state’s courts, reduce the role of assistant judges and cut the number of judges presiding over Probate Courts. Assistant and probate judges have been among its most outspoken critics.
Vermont Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Reiber has been a strong proponent of the restructuring, saying it’s needed to allow the judiciary to do its part to reduce state spending.
Reiber is one of the witnesses scheduled to testify before the committee on Thursday.