Board Meetings
By J. Mark Weiss
Drug Policy Project and Resolution on Medical Marijuana
There have been developments with the KCBA’s Drug Policy Project.
In January 2005, the KCBA board adopted a resolution asking the Legislature to appoint a body to study alternative methods of drug control. This effort was recently joined by both the WSBA and the Washington State Medical Association.
Last year, the Legislature authorized judges to order no prison time at all for a variety of nonviolent offenses, including some drug offenses. With respect to that bill, prosecuting attorney groups expressed concerns that offenders would not have treatment. At that time, there were 5,000 eligible individuals, but only two beds for treatment. This year, $3.5 million was placed in the state budget to provide that treatment.
Rep. Toby Nixon proposed a referendum, HJM 4033, to petition the federal government to allow the states to experiment with medical marijuana. The King County Medical Association endorsed this referendum and, at its January 18 meeting, the King County Bar Association also endorsed the referendum.
Legislative Positions
The Legislative Committee recommended opposing two bills before the Legislature.
First, it recommended that the KCBA oppose HB 2547, which would have made a violation of the open public meetings act a gross misdemeanor. The committee was concerned that this legislation could have the unintended consequence of discouraging citizens from volunteering to serve in local government.
Second, it recommended that the KCBA oppose HB 2452 and SB 6216 (companion legislation), which would create a news media privilege. This proposal originated with the attorney general. The committee felt that current law adequately balances the competing interests and that the bill contained very broad definitions that needed additional study.
The board followed the recommendations of the committee and voted to oppose the legislation.
Future of the Law Institute and Diversity Manager
The Future of the Law Institute (“FLI”) is an outreach program that encourages minority high school students to consider a career in the law and mentors them toward achieving that goal. The FLI has many volunteers who are deeply committed to the program and want to see the program succeed. The FLI requires staff to follow up with students and volunteers and has been struggling with how to best address its staffing needs.
The board created a new diversity manager position at the KCBA. The FLI will contribute two-thirds of the cost of that position and the KCBA will contribute the remaining one-third. A portion of the diversity manager’s time will be spent on other diversity matters.
Website Improvements
The KCBA is seriously considering adding an e-commerce module to its database program. This module will allow significant upgrades to the KCBA web site. The new software would allow members to renew membership, make purchases of materials and participate in “communities” pages. With the communities pages, sections will be able to develop their own list-serves. The board authorized negotiations toward purchase of this module. If purchased, the board hopes to have the new module running by April.
This article discusses selected issues that were before the Board of Trustees at its January 18 and February 1, 2006, meetings. Complete minutes of these and other board meetings are available from the KCBA office. n
J. Mark Weiss is KCBA secretary/trustee. Weiss practices family law in Seattle. He can be reached at 206-622-6707.
