Chair Paulson introduced Robert Bennett, Assistant Attorney General, to discuss a bill that would be introduced as an agency bill.
Mr. Bennett reviewed proposed legislation that will be introduced by the Attorney General for first time drug possession offenders. The bill will provide mandatory treatment as part of probation for an 18-month duration. The focus of the bill is on amphetamine users as an attempt to hold them in treatment long enough to have a positive effect on their drug habit.
Chair Paulson then introduced Robert Wefald, Chair of the Legislation Committee, for discussion
of bills that will be submitted by the judiciary.
1.Jury Selection. The bill provides for the ability to select jurors from counties
outside a judicial district in times of emergency. It was moved and
seconded to submit the bill to the Legislative Assembly as a judicial bill.
Motion carried.
2.Juvenile Services Coordinator. The bill provides for the repeal of the statute establishing the position of Juvenile Services Coordinator. The request is to eliminate this position from the Century Code as it is the only position of the judiciary that is provided for by law and the duties of the juvenile services coordinator have been disbursed among a number of staff in the Office of State Court Administrator. There is no need for this position any longer. It was moved and seconded to submit legislation for the repeal of this position. Motion carried.
3.Guardianship Bill. This bill provides for funding of a position under the Department of Human Services to oversee guardianship services. The bill provides for an appropriation to provide for creation of a roster of guardians and develop training programs for these individuals. It was moved and seconded to support this legislation that is being introduced by an interim judicial committee. Motion carried.
Chair Paulson received the procedures for election of the chief justice as the current term expired December 31, 2004. Chief Justice Gerald W. VandeWalle was nominated for a five-year term. There being no other candidates, nominations were closed and a unanimous ballot was cast for Chief Justice VandeWalle to a five-year term commencing January 1, 2005.
Before concluding the meeting, Judge Paulson indicated that we needed action on the minutes of the June 10, 2004 Judicial Conference business meeting. It was moved and seconded that the minutes be approved as distributed. Motion carried.
There being no further business before the Judicial Conference, it was moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting . Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ted Gladden
Executive Secretary