Bill S.94, introduced by Senators Vyhovsky and Plunkett, aims to designate the Attorney General as the primary enforcement authority for specific criminal offenses in Vermont. The bill amends 3 V.S.A. § 152 to grant the Attorney General the authority to represent the State in all civil and criminal matters, similar to a States Attorney, and to represent members of the General Assembly in civil matters related to their legislative duties.

The bill outlines a list of criminal matters for which the Attorney General will have primary, but not exclusive, authority. These include cases involving conflicts of interest for local States Attorneys, allegations of excessive force by law enforcement, crimes committed by elected officials, multi-county criminal activities, and various specific offenses such as human trafficking and fraud related to public assistance benefits. Additionally, the bill allows for stipulations between the Attorney General and States Attorneys regarding case prosecution. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 3-152