protect vulnerable citizens , strengthen infrastructure , and ensure a positive future .
What issues do you anticipate for the courts or the bar in the upcoming session ? This session is an important one for laws and lawyers . There is a major juvenile justice system bill and bills on bias crimes , dying with dignity , water projects , nursing home funding , affordable housing , sales tax benefits for micro-businesses , guardianship changes , landlord-tenant law , mental health , family law and domestic violence , infrastructure bonding , and food support . WSI changes are coming from the agency , advocates , and bills stemming from COVID-19 . Anticipated legislative actions may give rise to constitutional concerns regarding human rights , voting rights , and women ’ s healthcare . An exceptional bill to establish a veterans ’ treatment court docket is a bright spot , which will provide more effective legal approaches for those who served in our military .
REP . ZACHARY ISTA District 43 Serving since 2020 American University Washington College of Law – 2012
What is the biggest challenge facing North Dakota this legislative session ? This session , our biggest priority will be making sure North Dakotans emerge from the pandemic in a way that addresses both
the health and economic challenges we faced from COVID-19 . With continued preventive measures and the arrival of vaccines , we are well-positioned to get back to normal sooner rather than later on the public health front . But we cannot ignore the economic challenges our working families and small businesses faced both before and during the pandemic . This means investing in things like paid family leave , education at all levels , and infrastructure so we grow an economy that works for all North Dakotans .
What issues do you anticipate for the courts or the bar in the upcoming session ? During the interim , the Judiciary Committee worked hard to draft a substantial rewrite and reorganization of the state ’ s juvenile justice laws , which affect everything from juvenile delinquencies to guardianships and deprivation actions . The committee members and various stakeholders put in countless hours thinking about how to modernize our laws and to better serve children and families , but ultimately it will be up to the legislature to determine what those changes , if any , look like . I expect this bill will get a lot of attention from attorneys and the courts as it makes its way through the legislature . In the area of criminal justice , I expect the legislature to take another look at existing law that requires certain violent offenders to serve a minimum percentage of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole . I also anticipate legislation will be introduced to establish a veteran ’ s treatment docket in the state , which would address the unique needs of veterans who encounter the criminal justice system .
“ Wick understands the importance of
thorough preparation . He is the only mediator I know
who conducts initial caucus discussions with the
attorneys in advance of the mediation . This can greatly enhance the prospects for success .”
Ron McLean - Fargo , ND
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