RSSNotif on Enforcement of Laws; Breath Test in Crim Proceedings; Pre-litigation Discovery of Insurance
Chairman Phil Mendelson announces the scheduling of a public hearing of the Committee on the Judiciary on Bill 19-802, Council Notification on Enforcement of Laws Amendment Act of 2012, Bill 19-828, Breath Test Admissibility in Criminal Proceedings Amendment Act of 2012, and Bill 19-890, Pre-litigation Discovery of Insurance Coverage Act of 2012. The hearing will be held at 12:30p.m. on Friday, October 12, 2012 in Hearing Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building.
The stated purpose of Bill 19-802 is to require the Attorney General to report to the Council any action, suit, or proceeding in which a District law is challenged as unconstitutional or in violation of the Home Rule Act, and also to require the Attorney General to report to the Council whenever a formal or informal policy is established or implemented to refrain from implementing or defending a District law. The stated purpose of Bill 19-828 is to create a list of criteria for accepting into evidence in a criminal proceeding a person’s breath test results associated with an impaired driving offense. The stated purpose of Bill 19-890 is to require pre-litigation disclosure of any insurance agreement under which certain persons may be liable to satisfy all or part of the claim or to indemnify or reimburse for payments made to satisfy the claim by insurance companies in order to facilitate settlements and to reduce the amount of litigation in D.C. Superior Court.
Those who wish to testify should register online or contact Mr. Brian Moore, Committee Director, at (202) 724-7808, by fax at (202) 724-6664, or via e-mail at bmoore@dccouncil.us, and provide their name, address, telephone number, organizational affiliation and title (if any) by close of business Wednesday, October 10, 2012. Persons wishing to testify are encouraged, but not required, to submit 15 copies of written testimony. If submitted by the close of business on Wednesday, October 10, 2012 the testimony will be distributed to Councilmembers before the hearing. Witnesses should limit their testimony to five minutes; less time will be allowed if there are a large number of witnesses.
If you are unable to testify at the hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record. Copies of written statements should be submitted either to Mr. Moore, or to Ms. Nyasha Smith, Secretary to the Council, Room 5 of the Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20004. The record will close at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26, 2012.