Committee debates H.145 language on disruptive conduct at public-body meetings and disorderly conduct statute

Summary

Committee reviewed draft language tied to H.145 that would clarify when disruption at an open meeting can amount to disorderly conduct, discussed adding language reflecting the Vermont Supreme Court's standard from State v. Colby, and recommended moving clarifying language to Government Operations for further work.

The House Judiciary Committee reviewed language tied to H.145 regarding disruptive conduct during open meetings and whether to amend Vermont’s disorderly conduct statute to clarify when a person’s actions can be cited for substantially impairing the effective conduct of a public-body meeting.

Tucker Anderson, counsel with Legislative Council, briefed the committee on the proposal and described the tension between existing disorderly-conduct law and open-meetings practice. Anderson said Representative Harrison’s bill would: (1) include legislative intent referencing the Vermont Supreme Court’s decision in State v. Colby, (2) give public bodies express authority to adopt rules on public participation, and (3) amend 13 V.S.A. § 1026 (the disorderly conduct statute) to add a basis for citation when a person’s conduct…

Committee debates H.145 language on disruptive conduct at public-body meetings and disorderly conduct statute

Summary

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