(a) There is created a joint legislative committee to be known as the Legislative Committee on Judicial Rules. The Legislative Committee on Judicial Rules shall be composed of eight members of the General Assembly to be appointed for two-year terms ending on February 1 of odd-numbered years as follows: four members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House, and four members of the Senate to be appointed by the Committee on Committees. The Committee shall elect a chair and a vice chair from among its members.

(b) The Committee shall meet as necessary for the prompt discharge of its duties and may use the staff and services of the Legislative Council. The Committee shall adopt rules to govern its operation and organization. A quorum of the Committee shall consist of five members. For attendance at a meeting when the General Assembly is not in session, members of the Legislative Committee on Judicial Rules shall be entitled to the same per diem compensation and reimbursement for necessary expenses as provided members of standing committees under 2 V.S.A. § 406.

(c) The Legislative Committee on Judicial Rules may hold public hearings on a proposed or previously adopted rule on its own initiative. The Committee shall give public notice of any hearing at least 10 days in advance and shall notify the Court. Any public hearing shall be scheduled at a time and place chosen to afford opportunity for affected persons to present their views.

(d) In addition to its powers under section 4 of this title concerning rules, the Committee may, in a similar manner, conduct public hearings, object, and notify the Court of objections concerning existing rules. A rule reviewed under this subsection shall remain in effect until amended or repealed.

(e) Rules or amendments thereto promulgated by the Supreme Court, including any repeal, modification, or addition to existing rules, shall be submitted to the Legislative Committee on Judicial Rules at least 60 days prior to their effective date. (Added 1981, No. 231 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1983, No. 14, eff. March 28, 1983; 1983, No. 88, § 14, eff. July 3, 1983; 1983, No. 189 (Adj. Sess.); 2003, No. 2, § 1, eff. Feb. 21, 2003.)