Impeachment

Though impeachments are rare in Vermont the issue came up in the wake of the Vermont Supreme Court's 1999 ruling in Baker v. State on gay marriage. In 2000 H.R.35 "relating to the constitutional authority of the Vermont Supreme Court" was introduced.  H.R. 35, citing Baker as a "usurpation of legislative authority," resolved that "the House of Representatives immediately hold hearings to consider the impeachment of all Justices of the Vermont Supreme Court complicit in the Baker vs. State opinion, on the basis of unconstitutional usurpation of authority in violation of their oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the State of Vermont."