ABA URGES ACTION ON
VOTING IN INDIAN COUNTRY
AND THE MARIJUANA MESS
Resolution 104B urges national governments
to enact and enforce laws that protect and
provide for the health and well-being of
military working dogs, whether deployed by
armed forces or through contractors.
D A N T R AY N O R
ABA Delegate
The 2020 Midyear Meeting of the American
Bar Association was held in Austin, Texas
The House of Delegates discussed several
resolutions that may be of interest to
lawyers in North Dakota, including the
impact of unmanned aircraft systems on
private property rights, various resolutions
suggesting forms of gun control, and the
training and use of military and police dogs.
Perhaps the most unique ideas were those
relating to voting rights in Indian Country
and revising federal laws to boost America’s
expanding cannabis industry. Finally, lawyer
organizations in California are seeking
more ABA delegates following a split in
functions between the unified California Bar
Association and the voluntary cousin, the
California Lawyers Association.
UA and Private Property Rights -
Resolution 111 urged action to protect
private property interests, including common
law trespass and privacy rights, pertaining
to the development and usage of unmanned
aircraft systems over private property.
Dogs on the Front Lines - Resolution 103A
encourages lawmakers to enact laws and
policies that provide law enforcement officers
comprehensive animal encounter training
on the reasonable use of force needed to
better secure the safety of law enforcement.
24
THE GAVEL
Many Shades of Gun Control - Resolution
107A encourages lawmakers to criminalize
the sale of an unfinished firearm receiver or
frame, unless it is serialized in accordance
with federal requirements. Resolution 107B
urges policymakers to require permitting for
anyone wishing to buy a firearm, including
the fingerprinting and criminal background
checks before a permit is issued. Resolution
107C urges regulations regarding the safe
storage of firearms and requires firearm
owners to meet those requirements.
Voting Rights - Resolution 108 encourages
voter preregistration at age 16 to 18 to ensure
the voting franchise is available once a person
reaches the legal voting age. Resolution
112 seeks to “remove voting barriers” to
Native American voter registration and
participation. Resolution 114 suggests
voter registration should be allowed when
an individual uses “an address other than a
physical residential address.”
Fixing the Marijuana Mess - Resolution
103B urges Congress to clarify whether it
is a federal crime for qualified lawyers to
provide legal advice and services to clients
regarding marijuana-related activities.
Resolution 103D urges Congress to allow
banking services for the cannabis industry.
These measures attempt to fix the mess
created by states legalizing cannabis when it
is still outlawed by federal law.
More ABA Delegates for California -
Resolution 200 responds to requests from
California and North Carolina for additional
delegate seats in the House of Delegates.
This effort follows the split between the
unified California Bar Association to address
potential free association concerns.
ABA Days in Washington, D.C.
The annual fly-in for the American Bar
Association is scheduled for April 21-23 in
Washington, D.C. Although no meetings
have been scheduled, North Dakota’s
congressional delegation has a history of
being very welcoming to SBAND’s small
delegation. Topics typically include support
for Legal Services of North Dakota.
American Law Institute Annual Meeting
The 97th Annual Meeting of the American
Law Institute is set for May 18-20 in San
Francisco.The projects to be discussed at the
meeting have not been disclosed.
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