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House approves amendment to let any county sheriff serve writs of possession
Summary
Lawmakers approved a committee amendment to H.21 to remove a 1979-locality limitation and allow any county sheriff to serve writs of possession statewide; third reading was ordered.
The House adopted a judiciary committee amendment to House Bill 21 that would allow sheriffs in any county to serve a writ of possession, aligning that authority with sheriffs’ generally statewide power to serve court process.
Representative Malay (Pittsburgh), speaking for the committee, told the chamber that current ejectment statutes limit service of writs of possession to the sheriff of the county where the property is located—a restriction that dates back to a 1979 statute and that committee research did not justify. H.21 would remove that county-specific limitation and make service consistent with the general statewide authority sheriffs possess to serve civil and criminal process.
Committee testimony included the Vermont Sheriffs Association president, legislative counsel, the sheriff of Chittenden County and officials from the judiciary; the committee reported the bill favorably by a 9–0–2 vote. The bill’s text directs that it take effect on passage.
On the floor the House adopted the committee’s recommended amendments by voice vote and ordered third reading.
