§ 906. Powers and duties of the commissioners

(a) Duties. The commissioners shall:

(1) establish, in consultation with the populations and communities identified pursuant to subdivision 902(b)(1) of this chapter and other interested parties in the commissioners’ discretion, committees to examine institutional, structural, and systemic discrimination caused or permitted by State laws and policies that have been experienced by the populations and communities identified pursuant to subdivision 902(b)(1) of this chapter;

(2) determine, in consultation with the populations and communities identified pursuant to subdivision 902(b)(1) of this chapter, historians, social scientists, experts in restorative justice, and other interested parties in the commissioners’ discretion, the scope and objectives of the work to be carried out by each committee established pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection;

(3) develop and implement a process for each committee established pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection to fulfill the objectives established pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection;

(4) work with the committees and Commission staff to carry out research, public engagement, and other work necessary to:

(A) identify and examine historic and ongoing institutional, structural, and systemic discrimination against members of the populations and communities identified pursuant to subdivision 902(b)(1) of this chapter that has been caused or permitted by State laws and policies;

(B) determine the current status of members of the populations and communities identified pursuant to subdivision 902(b)(1) of this chapter; and

(C) satisfy the scope of work and the objectives established pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection (a);

(5) work with the committees and Commission staff to identify potential programs and activities to create and improve opportunities for or to eliminate disparities experienced by the populations and communities that are the subject of the committees’ work;

(6) work with the committees and Commission staff to identify potential educational programs related to historic and ongoing institutional, structural, and systemic discrimination against members of the populations and communities that are the subject of the committees’ work;

(7) work in consultation with the populations and communities identified pursuant to subdivision 902(b)(1) of this chapter, experts in restorative justice, and, in the commissioners’ discretion, other interested parties to ensure that the work of the Commission is open, transparent, inclusive, and meaningful; and

(8) supervise the work of the Executive Director of the Commission.

(b) Powers. To carry out its duties pursuant to this chapter, the commissioners may:

(1) Adopt rules in accordance with 3 Vt. Stat. Ann. chapter 25 as necessary to implement the provisions of this chapter.

(2) Adopt procedures as necessary to carry out the duties set forth in subsection (a) of this section.

(3) Establish and maintain a principal office.

(4) Meet and hold hearings at any place in this State.

(5) Consult with local, national, and international experts on issues related to discrimination, truth and reconciliation, and restorative justice.

(6) Interview and take statements from members of the populations and communities identified pursuant to subdivision 902(b)(1) of this chapter; members of the public; and persons with knowledge of the institutional, structural, and systemic discrimination experienced by such populations and communities.

(7) Study, research, investigate, and report on the impact of State laws and policies on populations and communities identified pursuant to subdivision 902(b)(1) of this chapter. If the Commission determines that particular laws or policies caused or permitted institutional, structural, and systemic discrimination against a population or community, regardless of whether the discrimination was intentional or adversely impacted the population or community, the Commission may propose legislative or administrative action to the General Assembly or Governor, as appropriate, to remedy the impacts on the population or community.

(8) Enter into cooperative agreements with private organizations or individuals or with any agency or instrumentality of the United States or of this State to carry out the provisions of this chapter.

(9) Make and execute legal documents necessary or convenient for the exercise of its powers and duties under this chapter.

(10) Hire consultants and independent contractors to assist the Commission in carrying out the provisions of this chapter.

(11) Seek grants or funding other than annual State appropriations to further the work of the Commission.

(12) Take any other actions necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter. (Added 2021, No. 128 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 24, 2022; repealed on July 1, 2026 by 2021, No. 128 (Adj. Sess.), § 4.)