Executive Committee Present: Staff: Chair Dale V. Sandstrom called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. He announced that the first item on the agenda was the draft agenda for the November Judicial Conference meeting in Bismarck. The only item on the agenda not previously agreed to was the open time on Tuesday morning. Justice Mary Muehlen Maring suggested that we use the NDSU Group Decision Center, with their computers, to discuss whether judicial officers should participate in ADR under the proposed rule or whether we should find another alternative such as hiring staff. The Decision Center has 24 computers for use on November 21, 2000. The conference would be divided with half working on this issue and the other half working on something else for a one-hour period of time. In the second hour, the two groups would switch and everyone would come together for the last hour. By consensus, it was agreed to proceed with this program. Justice Sandstrom next called for suggestions on what to do with the half that is not participating in the decision study. Judge Robert O. Wefald suggested that we bring in a psychiatrist to discuss psychiatric terms such as DSM4 which deals with the axis's. Justice Maring suggested using someone from Human Services to speak about the gatekeeper rule in involuntary commitments. Judge Kirk Smith said he had experience with this topic and that they put pressure on him to change his order. It was the consensus of the group that we should have further discussion and obtain more information before this topic is addressed. By consensus it was agreed to pursue Judge Wefald's suggestion on psychiatric reports. Judge Wefald then moved and Judge Ronald E. Goodman seconded a motion to accept the agenda as revised. Motion Carried. Justice Sandstrom outlined the proposed bylaw changes that would establish an education committee and a judicial ethics advisory committee. The changes also specify the term of office for committee members. Judge Wefald moved that the changes be submitted to the Judicial Conference. Judge Goodman seconded the motion. Motion carried. Justice Sandstrom next brought up proposed changes to Rule 36 concerning rules on continuing judicial education. Judge Smith moved that Administrative Rule 36 changes be submitted to the Supreme Court for their consideration. Judge Goodman seconded the motion. Motion carried. By consensus it was agreed that discussion on the June 2001 meeting program be deferred until a later date. The meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
Justice Dale V. Sandstrom, Chair
Justice Mary Muehlen Maring
Judge Kirk Smith
Judge James M. Bekken
Judge Ronald E. Goodman
Judge Robert O. Wefald
Keithe E. Nelson