Vt. Legislature puts qualification requirements for state's attorneys, sheriffs on hold

MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – A proposal in the Legislature aimed at setting qualifications for Vermont state’s attorneys and sheriffs will be put on the back burner.

On the Senate floor Wednesday, Proposition 1 was sent back to the Government Operations Committee.

The proposed constitutional amendment would create a mechanism for the removal of elected officials like sheriffs and state’s attorneys if they fail to meet the standards set by the Legislature.

Conversations about the proposal have been highlighted by the allegations of DUI against Addison County State’s Attorney Eva Vekos and the pending assault case against Franklin County Sheriff John Grismore.

Vermont Senate President Pro Tem Phil Baruth says right now, Prop 1 doesn’t have enough support.

“After some weeks of conversation with the Senate– that the will was not here in the Senate to advance Proposition 1 to the house. I am sorry about that, and I regard that in some sense as a personal failure and I own that,” said Baruth, D/P-Chittenden County.

Right now, a state’s attorney or sheriff can only be removed through impeachment or by the voters.

A constitutional amendment is a high bar to pass. It must garner support in two legislative bienniums and at the polls.

Addison County prosecutor takes medical leave while facing DUI charge

Addison County prosecutor faces judge in DUI case

Prosecutor suspected of DUI told police she had 1 drink, court papers say

Addison County cops dismayed by local prosecutor’s disparaging email

Police probe suspicious death in Bridport; responding state’s attorney arrested for DUI

Police investigating suspicious death in Bridport

Addison County state’s attorney arrested for DUI-Refusal

Vermont Sheriffs’ Association calls on Grismore to resign

Vt. lawmakers to discuss whether decertified sheriff can still perform his job

Defiant Franklin County sheriff responds to legislative subpoena