Guests: Sherry Mills Moore
Lawrence King,
Carrie Torgerson, State Bar Association
Staff: Ted Gladden, Executive Secretary
Renee Barnaby
Chair John T. Paulson called the meeting of the Executive Committee of the North Dakota Judicial Conference to order at 8:20 a.m. The first order of business was the approval of the minutes. Judge Bekken moved, seconded by Justice Kapsner, to approve the minutes of the September 15, 2004 conference call. There being no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously.
The seconded agenda item referred to a request from Judge Holum to have funds donated to the SBAND Foundation in lieu of a retirement plaque. At the September meeting, the Committee questioned whether public funds could be given to a foundation. Mr. Gladden reported there is nothing that would statutorily prohibit such a donation, however, we do not receive funds from the legislature to give to foundations or other groups. He also reported that neither the judicial branch nor the executive branch have policies on this subject. Justice Maring suggested that the funds be given to Judge Holum and he could, in his discretion, give it to the Bar Foundation. Judge Hagerty moved, seconded by Justice Maring, to approve a gift to Judge Holum of money in lieu of a plaque and he can do as he wishes with funds. There being no further discussion, the motion passed unanimously.
Chair Paulson then drew the Committee’s attention to the next item on the agenda, the June Judicial Conference. Ted Gladden reported that the Ramkota will only provide lodging at the state rate to judge members of the Judicial Conference. The state rate will not be provided to other members. The non-judge members will be responsible for the difference on their lodging over the state allowable rate or may stay at another facility.
Lawrence King summarized the 2005 Annual Meeting Schedule as follows:
June 14, 2005
LAND CLE session
June 15, 2005
Morning: CLE session - Evidence (tentative)
Afternoon: Golf Tournament
Golf Alternative Program
Evening: Social at C.B. Little House
June 16, 2005
Morning: CLE session - Constitutional Symposium (U. S. Supreme Court nominating and
confirmation process)
Noon: Law School Luncheon
Afternoon: Two CLE sessions - (1) Federal Court Electronic Case Filing & Case Management
(2) ND Judge Selection Process
General Assembly
Evening: Reception and Banquet at Ramkota
June 17, 2005
Morning: Red Mass
CLE Session - Ethics
It was the consensus of the committee to hold the ND Judges Association breakfast meeting on Thursday morning and the Judicial Conference meeting on Thursday afternoon. Justice Maring suggested that Jim Ganje provide a legislative update during the Conference. She also suggested we have a substantive program on drug testing as there will be a number of bills that (1) mandate the trial judges to refer first time drug felons to treatment; (2) mandate drug testing for people who are out on bail if they are charged with a drug offense; and (3) that an adulteration bill will be a misdemeanor. It was the consensus of the group to add the legislative update and drug testing program to the agenda. Judge Paulson asked Justice Maring to coordinate a speaker for the drug testing program.
Justice Maring also suggested recognition to given to Judge Don Jorgensen for his service to the Judicial Education Commission. Judge Paulson requested that Justice Maring provide the recognition to Judge Jorgensen at the business meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.