NSG Senate Chamber [NSG Senate]

[Verbluffen III]

You're in the NSG too, USSR?!

I am a Generalite and a RPer. Mostly RPing, but I often come to NSG. But irrelevant to this topic.

Wow. Never expected to meet any other person that hates me on here.

[Greater Pokarnia]

I volunteer for court, though if I get that spot I think I'd resign from the Ministry of Education (if I even still hold that spot by the time a court is established). I think, to limit anybody from getting too powerful, people should be limited from holding more than one major governmental position (ignoring the position of senator, of course).

[Ainin]

Do we currently have any form of separation of powers, barring cabinet members from being in the judicial system?

Dont think so. As the judicial and legislative branches are sortof merged no matter ehat, seperation of powers aint a particulary big deal.
I also volunteer for court

Not judicial and legislative.

Judicial (Supreme Court) and executive (Cabinet).

[Ainin]

I tentatively volunteer for court barring a positive on separation of powers.

[Greater Pokarnia]

I volunteer for court and will resign from any cabinet position I may have at the time of my (hypothetical) appointment to the court.

[Venaleria]

I volunteer for court if it will not interfere with my cabinet position. If it will, then oh well.

[Yanalia]

I volunteer for court if it will not interfere with my cabinet position. If it will, then oh well.

Same here, I suppose, but why don't we elect the justices?
Eh, never mind.

[NSG Senate Administrators]

On a technical level, you should have to resign as a Senator in order to serve on the Supreme Court, as the legislative and judicial systems cannot mix. But, seeing as that is likely not feasible to enforce, the administration would recommend that all of those who ascend to Supreme Court positions renounce any other governmental titles they may have, and exercise extreme caution when acting as a Senator, including refraining from voting on bills, etc.

For those who tl;dr on a single paragraph: Resign from Cabinet if in Supreme Court.

[Greater Pokarnia]

On a technical level, you should have to resign as a Senator in order to serve on the Supreme Court, as the legislative and judicial systems cannot mix. But, seeing as that is likely not feasible to enforce, the administration would recommend that all of those who ascend to Supreme Court positions renounce any other governmental titles they may have, and exercise extreme caution when acting as a Senator, including refraining from voting on bills, etc.

For those who tl;dr on a single paragraph: Resign from Cabinet if in Supreme Court.

I think limiting the ability of judges to act as senators would just discourage people from wanting to be a judge as they wouldn't get to participate in the main aspect of the game. I'll agree to judges renouncing any cabinet positions however.

[Ujh Uhj]

This bill has the proper support and is lodged in queue:

Government Finance and Accounting Act
Drafted by: Ujh Uhj (LFP)
Co-sponsors: Regnum Dominae (LFP), Quirina (NCP), Confederate People of the United States (GG), Consumer Regulated Donuts (LD)

REALIZING that the nation is on shaky ground after weak legislation that threatens economic collapse has been hastily passed,
FURTHER REALIZING that there is no legislation regarding the privatization of institutions and services, nor is there even an established currency,
BOTHERED by the fact that there is no way of knowing or keeping track of national statistics that would be incredibly beneficial to this Senate,
APPALLED that the Senate has gone about its business with such haste and with no regard to the state of things as defined above, and that it has passed reckless and harmful legislation,
BELIEVING that the current tax system is hostile towards economic growth and that it is unnecessary without a budget,
FURTHER BELIEVING that the Ministry Foundation Act is poorly written, unnecessary, and ill-advised,
HOPING to replace these laws with more efficient legislation that will ensure a strong and stable economic future for this country,
THE SENATE hereby enacts the Government Finance and Accounting Act.

I - REPEALS
a. The National Tax Act and the Ministry Foundation Act shall be struck out and rendered null and void.
b. The Prime Minister may still appoint a Ministerial Cabinet as he/she chooses, but each will specialize in their respective role instead of being the head of a Ministry.

Part 1 - Establishment of a Government For the Future

II - CREATION OF GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS
a. The Office of National Management and Statistics is created, to be staffed by Senate administrators along with any other members they may choose. This office shall make a report to the Senate at the end of every month on the national population, gross domestic product, economic growth rate, national revenue/expenses, and any other factors it may choose.
b. The Department of Justice is created. Funding for this department will go to the upkeep of courts and other department buildings throughout the country, as well as the salaries of its employees. Further legislation is recommended to continue to shape this department.
c. The Department of Defense is created. This department will be charged with handling any armed forces that may exist through legislation, and further funding must be appropriated by the senate.
d. The Office of Investment is created. This office shall create a system where a company or individual may apply for government funding. The office must accept or deny the application and then secure funds to be efficiently handed out to the applicant. Types of organizations eligible to receive funds includes but is not limited to: research/science, space exploration, education, sports, energy, healthcare.
e. The Department of Diplomatic Relations is created. This office shall accept or deny relationships with foreign countries, and shall be responsible for all overseas embassies.
f. The Office of Regulations is created. This office is divided into six sub-departments: education, health, energy, environment, labor, and miscellaneous. Regulations may only be handed down where actual problems exist and must interfere with economic growth as little as possible if at all. Larger regulations that include controversy must be left for the Senate to handle.
g. The Department of Finance is created. This department is responsible for minting currency, collecting taxes, and managing the country's money.
h. The Office of Government Supervision is created. This office shall oversee all national and local governments to ensure that government funding is not wasted and that all citizens are being equally protected under the law, and enforce regulations and other laws made on the government, along with other administrative duties.
i. All offices and departments as defined above are public, non-partisan organizations with the goal of bettering the nation.
j. The central government of the nation shall not make institutions and services, such as education, public; it will rather leave the option to do so with regional and local governments. However, institutions and services not made public will be subject to regulation from the Office of Regulations.

III - ESTABLISHMENT OF A CURRENCY
a. The official currency of the nation shall be the Aurentine Dollar (A$).
b. Four coins shall be minted: 5/100, 10/100, 25/100, and 50/100 pieces.
c. Six paper notes shall be minted: $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100.
d. The Senate has the power to authorize mints of special coins and paper notes.

Part 2 - Taxation and Budgeting - First Budget of the Aurentine Government

IV - INCOME TAX
a. Direct taxes on personal income ("income tax") shall be levied on all adult citizens at a flat rate of 15 percent of earned income. From the income tax, there shall be a standard deduction that is regionally adjusted for cost of living.
b. The deduction shall always exceed $15,000 Aurentine dollars, and shall never exceed $30,000 Aurentine dollars.
c. Aside from the aforementioned standard deduction, there shall be no other deductions, exemptions, or special cases.

V - BUSINESS TAX
a. A tax ("business tax") shall be levied on all businesses at a flat rate of 10 percent of its profits.
b. This tax shall not apply to businesses which have been in existence for less than two years.
c. From the business tax, there shall be a standard deduction of $250,000 Aurentine dollars.
d. Aside from the aforementioned standard deduction, there shall be no other deductions, exemptions, or special cases.

VI - SALES TAX
a. A value-added tax ("sales tax") shall be levied on consumption within Aurentina.
b. Goods essential to the survival of an individual ("essential goods") shall not be taxed.
c. Purchases of non-essential goods, not conducted over the Internet, shall have a value-added rate of 20 percent.
d. Purchases of non-essential goods, conducted over the Internet, shall have a value-added rate of 15 percent.

VII - GOVERNMENT BUDGET OUTLINE
a. The central government of Aurentina has the authority to spend all money collected from taxes in the last fiscal month.
b. Government spending is split into two categories: mandatory and discretionary spending.
c. Mandatory spending goes to all government agencies listed in Article II, excluding the Office of Investment.
d. Spending for these institutions is as follows:
- 1% of all taxes collected to the Office of National Management and Statistics,
- 6% of all taxes collected to the Department of Justice,
- 10% of all taxes collected to the Department of Defense,
- 5% of all taxes collected to the Department of Diplomatic Relations,
- 8% of all taxes collected to the Office of Regulations,
- 4% of all taxes collected to the Department of Finance,
- 4% of all taxes collected to the Office of Government Supervision
- 6% of all taxes collected to other upkeep for government infrastructure
e. Discretionary spending shall be handled by the Office of Investment.
f. 50% of all taxes collected shall go to the Office of Investment, to be handled as defined in section II of this Act. The Office of Investment is not required to spend all of its funds.
g. All remaining funds will be deposited in the treasury for the Department of Finance to manage and collect interest.
h. The Senate is require to pass a budget every two months, with a combination of raising/reducing taxes and spending. Should the Senate fail to enact a budget, the government shall go into default, where all discretionary and non-essential spending is frozen until an agreement is reached.

[Ainin]

On a technical level, you should have to resign as a Senator in order to serve on the Supreme Court, as the legislative and judicial systems cannot mix. But, seeing as that is likely not feasible to enforce, the administration would recommend that all of those who ascend to Supreme Court positions renounce any other governmental titles they may have, and exercise extreme caution when acting as a Senator, including refraining from voting on bills, etc.

For those who tl;dr on a single paragraph: Resign from Cabinet if in Supreme Court.

Thank you for the clarification.

On that note, I hereby retract my candidateship for judge.

[Soviet Canuckistan]

I volunteer to become a Supreme Court Judge.

[Greater Pokarnia]

Is anybody drafting a Supreme Court bill or was it merely proposed? I can get to work on a draft if nobody else is.

[Bleckonia]

I'm thinking of becoming a judge. Would I have to become an independent to be a judge?

[Greater Pokarnia]

I'm thinking of becoming a judge. Would I have to become an independent to be a judge?

Nope. Of course, nobody has drafted the legislation yet.

[Ainin]

I'm thinking of becoming a judge. Would I have to become an independent to be a judge?

Nope. Of course, nobody has drafted the legislation yet.

Maybe we should let the MoJ do it, out of courtesy.

[Greater Pokarnia]

Nope. Of course, nobody has drafted the legislation yet.

Maybe we should let the MoJ do it, out of courtesy.

Fine by me.

[Wolfmanne]

Is anybody drafting a Supreme Court bill or was it merely proposed? I can get to work on a draft if nobody else is.

I, Polvia and Evraim am. Once we're done we'll submit it to Finium. Sadly, Judges are trained professionals and they ascend based upon their skill. There is no political bias, the Senate, Prime Minister, President doesn't appoint any Judge. Sorry to break your dreams , but it's for the sake of efficiency and no political bias.

EDIT: If you start bawling about your dreams being wrecked, then this Senate is corrupt as fuck .

[Byzantium Imperial]

Well, even if it requires a resignation from the senate, i keep my name in consideration for a court posistion the grounds of my moderate beliefs and compromising attitude.
(Would we have to resign from parties if we are just a member)
Also, how would they be selected?

More relavant part of post: So is there any debate about the current legislation or is it just on hold waiting for amendment or something?

[Great Nepal]

After looking at constituent bills, I would like to purpose following ammendment:-

Limiting Legislation Act
Urgency: Utmost

Drafted By: The Treorai
Sponsor(s): Hathradic States, Beta Test.

BELIEVING That in a democratic society, Basic Human Rights should be defended,

APPALLED At the fact that some politicians would seek to violate the basic human rights of the citizens of our nation,

DEFINES A "Citizen" as any registered member of our nation.

FURTHER DEFINES Basic Human Rights As;

(1) The right for all born humans to live,

(2) The right to free speech,

(3) The right to free thought,

(4) The right to actively participate in government

(5) The right to free expression,

(6) Freedom of and from Religion,

(7) The right to own firearms and ammunition, subject to reasonable restrictions for public safety,

(8) The right to a fair and balanced trial in front of a jury of peers,

(9) The right to a paid or court appointed attorney in the court of law,

(10) Freedom from double-jeopardy,

(11) The right to own private land,

(12) Freedom from unjustified search and seizure of private property,

FURTHER BELIEVES That the Senate has no place violating these aforementioned rights of our citizens,

PREVENTS Legislation suppressing the speech, thought, and general expression of citizens,

DICTATES No Person is above the law, and all people must adhere to it,

FURTHER DICTATES Thoughts and speech harmful, or seditious in nature are not protected by this act,

ALSO DEFINES "Harmful or Seditious in nature" as slander, personal information not belonging to they who utter the information, sensitive information, open threats against another person, and threats of open rebellion, or terrorism against our nation.

ALSO DICTATES This act does not protect those using other people's work without permission of the owner,

BANS Slavery, and other forms of non-paid labor, such as Child Labor, and the owning of human beings,

ESTABLISHES This as the official Bill of Rights of our Nation.

I would like the senate to recognize my amendments to the LLA (4th in queue at current). Please note this adds rights in the court of law, as well as property rights, and anti-slavery rights.[/quote]
1. Justice system needs to be set up and judges are capable of doing job of jury much more effectively.
2. Freedom from double jeopardy is stupid, if they committed a crime, and can be proven that they did, they should face justice.

I support The Civil Treatment Act, Sexual Industry Regulation Act and The Anti-Slavery Act in their entirety.

[Polvia]

What's next in the queue?

[Great Nepal]

What's next in the queue?

National Bill of Rights Act

[Polvia]

Limiting Legislation Act

(7) The right to own firearms and ammunition, subject to reasonable restrictions for public safety,
(11) The right to own private land,

These two clauses will have to be changed, or removed in order for me to even consider supporting this.
(7) I oppose a right to bear arms entirely. We are not the States, and no other country in the "developed" world has a right to bear arms.

(11) Might I offer the revision of the clause:

No one can be deprived of property, unless demanded by public necessity, legally constituted, and under the condition of a just and prior compensation.

[Wolfmanne]

Limiting Legislation Act

(7) The right to own firearms and ammunition, subject to reasonable restrictions for public safety,
(11) The right to own private land,

These two clauses will have to be changed, or removed in order for me to even consider supporting this.
(7) I oppose a right to bear arms entirely. We are not the States, and no other country in the "developed" world has a right to bear arms.

(11) Might I offer the revision of the clause:

No one can be deprived of property, unless demanded by public necessity, legally constituted, and under the condition of a just and prior compensation.

Agreed.

[Ainin]

Research and Astronomy Improvement Act
Urgency: Low | Drafted By: Ainin (Minister of Research of Astronomy) | Sponsors: Strykla, Yanalia, Greater Pokarnia, Vistulange

---

The Senate of Aurentina,

Noting that the executive cabinet ministry by the name of the Ministry of Research and Astronomy is tasked with the duty of managing and sponsoring scientific research in Aurentina, providing funding to specialized research agencies alongside providing oversight to the space program and facilitating funding for research and space programs,

Reaffirming that the Ministry of Research and Astronomy is to promote and support scientific developments and aerospatial exploration through financial, social and diplomatic channels,

Section I: Funding
A) 7% of the annual budget of the Ministry is to be held in trust by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance as a "rainy-day fund"
B) A rainy-day fund is defined for the purpose of this law as a reserved amount of money to be used in times when regular income is decreased in order for typical operations to continue
C) The minister responsible or the prime minister may activate the fund at any time if they feel that operations may severely be affected without the additional funding

Section II: Accounting
A) The office of Ombudsman for the Ministry of Research and Astronomy is created to investigate rights violation and maladministration complaints filed by Aurentine citizens and enterprises
B) The Ombudsman is appointed by the Minister of Justice and approved by the President of Aurentina
C) The Ombudsman is to have a university degree in accounting and is responsible for auditing the ministry at least twice a year

Section III: Astronaut Selection
A) The term astronaut is defined for the purpose of this law as an Aurentine public servant trained by a human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft
B) Astronauts are selected among any candidates who present their names, along with the appropriate forms, less than 30 days after the job offering is posted
C) Candidates must not have any history of violent or uncontrollable mental or physical disorder, a derelict or felony on their criminal record
D) Candidates may not be rejected on basis of sex, race, religion or any category that does not impede the ability or performance of the person
E) Selected candidates must finish the two-month training camp and pass a written test

Section IV: Security and Protection
A) All astronauts are to be trained in emergency situation management in case of incident onboard a spacecraft
B) Attempts to sabotage a spaceship is classified as (attempted) manslaughter, treason, and/or vandalism, depending on the circumstances and the assessment of the material and human damage
C) Accidentally disabling functions of a spacecraft leading to fatalities is classified as reckless endangerment
D) Scientists and contractors found to be deliberately misleading ministry officials with the aim of receiving money from the government will be charged with fraud
E) The Ministry of Transportation is tasked with investigating accidents and incidents onboard or involving spacecraft

Concluding that this act provides an adequate plan for scientific development in Aurentina,

Hereby Passes the Research and Astronomy Improvement Act

Five sponsors, so queued?