The State Bar Association of North Dakota Spring 2015 Gavel Magazine | Page 5

North Dakota Court System Legislative Highlights The 2015-17 appropriation for the North Dakota Court System is $144,932 million, which is an increase of $15,623 million over the current biennium. The appropriation includes funding for: • Four new judges, with chamber locations to be designated by the Supreme Court and 15 additional court staff positions • Shifting the clerk of court staff in Barnes and McKenzie counties from county employment to state employment • Developing a remote disaster recovery site to protect court records and allow for a rapid return to operations in the event of a natural or manmade disaster • Developing a guardianship monitoring pilot project in the SCJD and SEJD to provide random and targeted audits of annual accounts filed in guardianship cases and to provide followup personal visits with wards to check their wellbeing  after the guardianship has been in place for some time • Implementing Youth Cultural Achievement Programs in Fargo and Devils Lake • Additional funding for intensive in-home counseling for juveniles and their families Also, the Legislature eliminated the 70/30 requirement for chambering of judges, which previously required that no more than 70 percent of district court chambers may be located in cities with populations of more than 1,000. The Legislature also extended the Intermediate Court of Appeals to January 1, 2020. Consider us the financial arm of your practice. At Bremer, our first and only goal is meeting your clients’ objectives. When you refer clients to Bremer they receive financial guidance that complements your professional counsel, and exceptional client service that aligns with your standards. Refer clients to Bremer for: • Personal and Institutional Trust Services • Investment Management Services • Farm Management Services Call Mark Schmiel, President, Bremer Wealth Management at 651-312-3553 or [email protected], or stop by a Bremer Bank to find out how we can help your clients enhance, manage, preserve and pass on their wealth. To find a location near you, visit: Bremer.com/locations. Bremer.com Bremer Bank Member FDIC. Products and services offered through Bremer Trust are not insured by FDIC, are not a deposit or other obligation of, or guaranteed by, the depository institution, and are subject to investment risks including possible loss of the principle amount invested. Bremwm14015 Bremer WM Ad Financial Arm Gavel7.5x4.875A.indd 1 SPRING 2015 AM 3/26/15 11:25 5