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Senate adopts judiciary committee amendments to modernize extradition timelines and waivers; orders third reading
Summary
The Vermont Senate on March 18, 2025 adopted Judiciary Committee amendments to S 87, a bill to modernize extradition procedures, and ordered the measure for third reading.
The Vermont Senate on March 18, 2025 adopted amendments recommended by the Judiciary Committee to S 87, a measure to modernize the state's extradition procedures, and ordered the bill for third reading.
Senator Hashim, reporting for the Senate Judiciary Committee, described the bill as part of a public-safety omnibus and said it brings extradition procedures into the 21st century while reducing duplicative administrative work. Hashim said S 87 would align state practice with the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act and the U.S. Constitution's Article IV, Section 2 extradition clause.
Key changes described on the floor include establishing a 90-day period for processing extradition paperwork (replacing a 30-day timeline that frequently led to extension requests), reducing the statutory extension from 60 days to a 30-day extension where necessary, and recognizing authenticated prior written waivers of extradition when such waivers were signed as a condition of probation, parole, bail or other release in the demanding state (provided Vermont receives an authenticated copy and confirming identification evidence such as photos or fingerprints).
The bill also revises hearings, commitments and discharge procedures to reflect the extended holding period and directs courts to consider evidence that an accused fled justice from another state when evaluating bail risk. The committee heard from administration counsel, the Department of Public Safety, the defender general's office, the Attorney General's Office, and state attorneys and sheriffs. The Judiciary Committee reported the bill favorably by a 5–0 vote.
On the floor the Senate agreed to the committee amendment by voice vote; the presiding officer announced that the ayes have it and ordered third reading of S 87.
Next steps: S 87 will return for a third-reading vote on a future floor day; its changes would take effect on passage and apply prospectively, per the committee report.
