NSG Senate Chamber [NSG Senate] - Version 3

[Welsh Cowboy]

OOC: I've cleared this with Venaleria, and he asked me to clarify that all reactions or whatever should go in lobby, not here. Thanks.

My esteemed colleagues,

Over the past month, it's been truly an honor to serve as Prime Minister of Aurentina and attempt to lead this great nation. I can't claim that I've done an extraordinary job, or even accomplished everything I set out to do, but I believe I can say with good conscience that this nation has advanced under the guidance of my capable Cabinet.

To my deputy Prime Minister, Senator Maklohi, who of course is now President of this great nation, I say thank you. You served as a fine advisor and confidant, and I know you'll serve we'll as President. To all my ministers, who served with distinction and drafted, proposed, and initiated policies, I give my sincere thanks. I feel that my job has not been to lead, but to facilitate cooperation between some of the most capable Senators this nation possesses. I thank them especially for putting aside political differences and coming together to serve Aurentina to the fullest extent of their abilities.

And now, I pass on the baton of leadership to another fine leader, Senator Ainin. I know you'll serve with distinction and passion, and while I know that we may not always see eye-to-eye, I have the utmost respect for you.

Thank you, Senators, for the trust you've placed in me. I hope I've used it well.

[CTALNH]

Add this:

Night watch Act

Author: CTALNH (SAP) Urgency: High SIMBEDS: Security Sponsors:CTALNH (SAP),Belmaria (LCP),Placenza (ABP),Veroxia (SAP),The federal republic of Simonia (MSP)

Aware that our country is facing quite bit of problem because of criminal elements,

Believing that people should be able to freely form night watch organizations,

This Act:

Allows the creation of night watch organizations at will by people who are interested to help maintain public safety,

Repeals Section 4d of the ISA,

Defines a "night watch organization" as:

1. A Watch or Guard the roams streets at night, especially for security

2. Armed organized citizens following said Watch or Guard

[Vairikai Sari]

Please add this to the que.

Restriction of Corporal Punishment Act
Authors: Vairkia Sari [SPPA], Tahitoa [SPPA], Oneracon [RG] | Urgency: Medium | Category: Order
Sponsors: Aeken [NDP], Malgrave [MSP], Bering [NDP], New Waterford [NDP], The federal republic of simonia[MSP]

---

The Senate of The Aurentine Commonwealth,

DEFINING corporal punishment as the deliberate infliction of pain as retribution for an offence, for the purpose of disciplining or reforming, or to deter attitudes or behaviour deemed unacceptable;

RECOGNIZING that not all households endorse nor resort to corporal punishment;

BELIEVING that corporal punishment of a minor constitutes child abuse;

NOTING that corporal punishment is also used in some schools and religious institutions;

WISHING to clarify the illegality of corporal punishment of minors and ensure the safety of Aurentine children;

HEREBY declares that the infliction of corporal punishment upon a minor is a crime of Assault and/or Battery as defined by the Criminal Code of the Aurentine Commonwealth and is subject to the same criminal penalties without exception.

[Venaleria]

Add this:

Night watch Act

Author: CTALNH (SAP) Urgency: High SIMBEDS: Security Sponsors:CTALNH (SAP),Belmaria (LCP),Placenza (ABP),Veroxia (SAP),The federal republic of Simonia (MSP)

Aware that our country is facing quite bit of problem because of criminal elements,

Believing that people should be able to freely form night watch organizations,

This Act:

Allows the creation of night watch organizations at will by people who are interested to help maintain public safety,

Repeals Section 4d of the ISA,

Defines a "night watch organization" as:

1. A Watch or Guard the roams streets at night, especially for security

2. Armed organized citizens following said Watch or Guard

Security is not a SIMBEDS category.

[Phocidaea]

I have several problems with the noble-minded but overly restrictive and illogical Traffic Code that ensure I will vote against it:

1. The ban on "rolling stops" is a nonsensical one that does no good but raising revenue for police forces. Aurentina should not adopt this restriction simply because many other nations do, and instead consider its logical necessity.
2. The speed limit for cities is too high, while that for roadworks is ludicrously low. The maximum speeds for buses and vehicles towing trailers are also too low, and are likely to clog up high-speed roads (i.e. freeways) due to being significantly lower.
3. A full stop at railway crossings is only logical when a train is present; requiring full stops at every crossing is ridiculous and unnecessary.
4. Many of the fines and penalties are totally excessive, including:
a. That for failing to signal, which is seldom dangerous and is almost always the effect of temporary absent-mindedness; pulling over and ticketing people for it should be done only for flagrant violations, as otherwise it is a drain of money and time on well-meaning citizens.
b. That for speeding; the base fine is only slightly high, and acceptable, but the additional 25 pounds for every two KPH above the limit is ludicrously high and will likely be abused by police to gain more funding by inflating the alleged speeds of drivers by small but still false increments. This also unreasonably places the same fee on speeding, for example, two KPH on a residential street as on a freeway; a better method would make this increment proportional to the speed limit.
c. The speed for creating a "traffic hazard" is unreasonable as there are legitimate reasons for a motorist to travel 15 KPH below the speed limit; for example, if their vehicle is damaged and in transit to a home or repair shop.
d. The penalty for running a railway crossing should be conditional on the presence of an oncoming train, as stated in (3).

Unfortunately this bill will inevitably pass due to some senators being less inclined than I to read fine print and more so to "protect people from themselves", so I intend to introduce at least some of these as an amendment shortly after it passes.

[Ainin]

RECOGNISING that there is no passed legislation regarding hate speech,

Yes there is. The International Law Act did so by ratifying the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which bans it.

[Senate President pro Tempore]

Add this:

Night watch Act

Author: CTALNH (SAP) Urgency: High SIMBEDS: Security Sponsors:CTALNH (SAP),Belmaria (LCP),Placenza (ABP),Veroxia (SAP),The federal republic of Simonia (MSP)

Aware that our country is facing quite bit of problem because of criminal elements,

Believing that people should be able to freely form night watch organizations,

This Act:

Allows the creation of night watch organizations at will by people who are interested to help maintain public safety,

Repeals Section 4d of the ISA,

Defines a "night watch organization" as:

1. A Watch or Guard the roams streets at night, especially for security

2. Armed organized citizens following said Watch or Guard

Security is not a SIMBEDS category.

This. The bill will be added if/when this is fixed.

[Kamchastkia]

I have several problems with the noble-minded but overly restrictive and illogical Traffic Code that ensure I will vote against it:

1. The ban on "rolling stops" is a nonsensical one that does no good but raising revenue for police forces. Aurentina should not adopt this restriction simply because many other nations do, and instead consider its logical necessity.
2. The speed limit for cities is too high, while that for roadworks is ludicrously low. The maximum speeds for buses and vehicles towing trailers are also too low, and are likely to clog up high-speed roads (i.e. freeways) due to being significantly lower.
3. A full stop at railway crossings is only logical when a train is present; requiring full stops at every crossing is ridiculous and unnecessary.
4. Many of the fines and penalties are totally excessive, including:
a. That for failing to signal, which is seldom dangerous and is almost always the effect of temporary absent-mindedness; pulling over and ticketing people for it should be done only for flagrant violations, as otherwise it is a drain of money and time on well-meaning citizens.
b. That for speeding; the base fine is only slightly high, and acceptable, but the additional 25 pounds for every two KPH above the limit is ludicrously high and will likely be abused by police to gain more funding by inflating the alleged speeds of drivers by small but still false increments. This also unreasonably places the same fee on speeding, for example, two KPH on a residential street as on a freeway; a better method would make this increment proportional to the speed limit.
c. The speed for creating a "traffic hazard" is unreasonable as there are legitimate reasons for a motorist to travel 15 KPH below the speed limit; for example, if their vehicle is damaged and in transit to a home or repair shop.
d. The penalty for running a railway crossing should be conditional on the presence of an oncoming train, as stated in (3).

Unfortunately this bill will inevitably pass due to some senators being less inclined than I to read fine print and more so to "protect people from themselves", so I intend to introduce at least some of these as an amendment shortly after it passes.

1. Rolling stops are often made by drivers who fail to stop and observe the actions of other drivers around them, to ensure it is safe to move on. Coming to a full stop also helps prevents accidents made by people who do not stop at stop signs. It is for safety.
2. Slower Speedlimits for busses and larger vehicles is just because they are much much more unstable at higher speeds compared to the average commuter vehicle.
3. A full stop is again, a safety mechanism in the case that cross guards are ineffective.
4. a. Failing to signal can lead to very serious motor vehicle accidents.
b. Speeding leads to very unsafe roadways, imposing a large fine keeps many from violating said law.
c. If you vehicle is damaged enough not to reach within 10 km/h of the speed limit it should be on a tow truck, not being driven on a roadway.
d. You're disregarding safety if you do not fine failure to stop, as it reduces the number of train-related deaths.

[New Zepuha]

I have several problems with the noble-minded but overly restrictive and illogical Traffic Code that ensure I will vote against it:

1. The ban on "rolling stops" is a nonsensical one that does no good but raising revenue for police forces. Aurentina should not adopt this restriction simply because many other nations do, and instead consider its logical necessity.
2. The speed limit for cities is too high, while that for roadworks is ludicrously low. The maximum speeds for buses and vehicles towing trailers are also too low, and are likely to clog up high-speed roads (i.e. freeways) due to being significantly lower.
3. A full stop at railway crossings is only logical when a train is present; requiring full stops at every crossing is ridiculous and unnecessary.
4. Many of the fines and penalties are totally excessive, including:
a. That for failing to signal, which is seldom dangerous and is almost always the effect of temporary absent-mindedness; pulling over and ticketing people for it should be done only for flagrant violations, as otherwise it is a drain of money and time on well-meaning citizens.
b. That for speeding; the base fine is only slightly high, and acceptable, but the additional 25 pounds for every two KPH above the limit is ludicrously high and will likely be abused by police to gain more funding by inflating the alleged speeds of drivers by small but still false increments. This also unreasonably places the same fee on speeding, for example, two KPH on a residential street as on a freeway; a better method would make this increment proportional to the speed limit.
c. The speed for creating a "traffic hazard" is unreasonable as there are legitimate reasons for a motorist to travel 15 KPH below the speed limit; for example, if their vehicle is damaged and in transit to a home or repair shop.
d. The penalty for running a railway crossing should be conditional on the presence of an oncoming train, as stated in (3).

Unfortunately this bill will inevitably pass due to some senators being less inclined than I to read fine print and more so to "protect people from themselves", so I intend to introduce at least some of these as an amendment shortly after it passes.

1. I won't budge on that.
2. The Minister of Transport recommended those when it was written. So no budge there.
3. I'm pretty sure that can be adjusted, as I believe I stated that only when the arms of a crossing guard are lowering.
4. You honestly think a ticket will be given every time? Oh ye of little faith.
b. the increment is the only thing I'd be willing to change.
c. Then the officer should have no problem identifying the situation and giving them an escort.
d. No budging here.

[Ainin]

I have several problems with the noble-minded but overly restrictive and illogical Traffic Code that ensure I will vote against it:

1. The ban on "rolling stops" is a nonsensical one that does no good but raising revenue for police forces. Aurentina should not adopt this restriction simply because many other nations do, and instead consider its logical necessity.
2. The speed limit for cities is too high, while that for roadworks is ludicrously low. The maximum speeds for buses and vehicles towing trailers are also too low, and are likely to clog up high-speed roads (i.e. freeways) due to being significantly lower.
3. A full stop at railway crossings is only logical when a train is present; requiring full stops at every crossing is ridiculous and unnecessary.
4. Many of the fines and penalties are totally excessive, including:
a. That for failing to signal, which is seldom dangerous and is almost always the effect of temporary absent-mindedness; pulling over and ticketing people for it should be done only for flagrant violations, as otherwise it is a drain of money and time on well-meaning citizens.
b. That for speeding; the base fine is only slightly high, and acceptable, but the additional 25 pounds for every two KPH above the limit is ludicrously high and will likely be abused by police to gain more funding by inflating the alleged speeds of drivers by small but still false increments. This also unreasonably places the same fee on speeding, for example, two KPH on a residential street as on a freeway; a better method would make this increment proportional to the speed limit.
c. The speed for creating a "traffic hazard" is unreasonable as there are legitimate reasons for a motorist to travel 15 KPH below the speed limit; for example, if their vehicle is damaged and in transit to a home or repair shop.
d. The penalty for running a railway crossing should be conditional on the presence of an oncoming train, as stated in (3).

Unfortunately this bill will inevitably pass due to some senators being less inclined than I to read fine print and more so to "protect people from themselves", so I intend to introduce at least some of these as an amendment shortly after it passes.

1. No, it's there for safety. A reasonable pedestrian would assume a driver stops completely at a stop sign, and so may be inclined to cross the street, and cause a traffic accident.
2. An example of which would be...?
3. No, it's also there for safety. And plus, since train tracks wouldn't cross major arteries, it would be an inconvenience at worst for drivers.
4a. Well that's too bad for them. You break the law, you get fined.
4b. Since there is a sizable margin of error on a speed radar, one would presume a law enforcement agency would not go through a lengthy legal process on a fine that falls within the margin that a judge would promptly reverse.
4c. Well that's what the shoulder is for.
4d. No, that's like saying running a red light is OK if no one is around. It would lead to bad habits.

[New Zepuha]

Quick question, in the constitutional convention we named a Federal system, could I make a name change to the NIB?

[Regnum Dominae]

The following has gained enough sponsors to be added:

Criminalisation of Hate Speech Act

Author: New Waterford (NDP) Sponsors: New Zephua (NDP), CTALNH (SAP), The Licentian Isles (NDP), Oneracon (RG), Britanno (NDP)

SIMBEDS: Miscellaneous
Urgency: Moderate

---

The Senate of Aurentina,

RECOGNISING that there is no passed legislation regarding hate speech,

ALARMED at the legal status of hate speech as a result,

HEREBY ENACTS the following provisions:

AMENDS the definition of "harmful in nature" in the Limiting Legislation Act to "slander, personal information not belonging to they who utter the information, sensitive information, open threats against another person, hate speech, and threats of open rebellion, or terrorism against our nation."

ADDS a new clause to Section E of the Criminal Code of the Aurentine Commonwealth entitled "Hate Speech", which says "Hate Speech is determined to be assault by Person X on Person Y based on their nationality, skin colour, race, sexual orientation or religious beliefs in a ridiculing, insulting or threatening manner, or in order to incite hatred towards Person Y. It is a Contravention."

HEREBY PASSES the Criminalisation of Hate Speech Act.

STRONGLY opposed, and I urge everyone to vote against this should it reach the floor of the Chamber.

Instituting thought-crime is always a bad thing no matter what.

[Yanalia]

The following has gained enough sponsors to be added:

Criminalisation of Hate Speech Act

Author: New Waterford (NDP) Sponsors: New Zephua (NDP), CTALNH (SAP), The Licentian Isles (NDP), Oneracon (RG), Britanno (NDP)

SIMBEDS: Miscellaneous
Urgency: Moderate

---

The Senate of Aurentina,

RECOGNISING that there is no passed legislation regarding hate speech,

ALARMED at the legal status of hate speech as a result,

HEREBY ENACTS the following provisions:

AMENDS the definition of "harmful in nature" in the Limiting Legislation Act to "slander, personal information not belonging to they who utter the information, sensitive information, open threats against another person, hate speech, and threats of open rebellion, or terrorism against our nation."

ADDS a new clause to Section E of the Criminal Code of the Aurentine Commonwealth entitled "Hate Speech", which says "Hate Speech is determined to be assault by Person X on Person Y based on their nationality, skin colour, race, sexual orientation or religious beliefs in a ridiculing, insulting or threatening manner, or in order to incite hatred towards Person Y. It is a Contravention."

HEREBY PASSES the Criminalisation of Hate Speech Act.

STRONGLY opposed, and I urge everyone to vote against this should it reach the floor of the Chamber.

Instituting thought-crime is always a bad thing no matter what.

Please contain Chamber debate to the bills currently at debate.

[Regnum Dominae]

RECOGNISING that there is no passed legislation regarding hate speech,

Yes there is. The International Law Act did so by ratifying the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which bans it.

Luckily a huge fucking loop hole exists.

[Regnum Dominae]

STRONGLY opposed, and I urge everyone to vote against this should it reach the floor of the Chamber.

Instituting thought-crime is always a bad thing no matter what.

Please contain Chamber debate to the bills currently at debate.

Wrong thread, sorry

[Regnum Dominae]

never mind

[Phalnia]

I would like to add that I don't see how you would keep those convicted out of zoos/pet shops. The only ones with access to the information is police officers. Should we put police in every Petco and petting zoo?

That would probably fall on the heads of store security, who in most cases, are tasked with preventing shop lifting and other offenses.

But how would they know a certain person was convicted of zoophilia? It just seems unenforceable to keep those convicted out.

[Minarchist States]

Add this:

Night watch Act

Author: CTALNH (SAP) Urgency: High SIMBEDS: Security Sponsors:CTALNH (SAP),Belmaria (LCP),Placenza (ABP),Veroxia (SAP),The federal republic of Simonia (MSP)

Aware that our country is facing quite bit of problem because of criminal elements,

Believing that people should be able to freely form night watch organizations,

This Act:

Allows the creation of night watch organizations at will by people who are interested to help maintain public safety,

Repeals Section 4d of the ISA,

Defines a "night watch organization" as:

1. A Watch or Guard the roams streets at night, especially for security

2. Armed organized citizens following said Watch or Guard

YES YES YES YES YES YES.

Let's make Aurentina a night watchman state!

[Yanalia]

Add this:

Night watch Act

Author: CTALNH (SAP) Urgency: High SIMBEDS: Security Sponsors:CTALNH (SAP),Belmaria (LCP),Placenza (ABP),Veroxia (SAP),The federal republic of Simonia (MSP)

Aware that our country is facing quite bit of problem because of criminal elements,

Believing that people should be able to freely form night watch organizations,

This Act:

Allows the creation of night watch organizations at will by people who are interested to help maintain public safety,

Repeals Section 4d of the ISA,

Defines a "night watch organization" as:

1. A Watch or Guard the roams streets at night, especially for security

2. Armed organized citizens following said Watch or Guard

YES YES YES YES YES YES.

Let's make Aurentina a night watchman state!

Please contain Chamber debate to bills currently at debate.

[New Zepuha]

That would probably fall on the heads of store security, who in most cases, are tasked with preventing shop lifting and other offenses.

But how would they know a certain person was convicted of zoophilia? It just seems unenforceable to keep those convicted out.

You couldn't you'd just have to remain vigilant. Which, I don't support the bill anyway, I'm just saying.

[Minarchist States]

YES YES YES YES YES YES.

Let's make Aurentina a night watchman state!

Please contain Chamber debate to bills currently at debate.

Uhhh

Aye.

[Maklohi Vai]

On the advice of the Prime Minister, I hereby appoint Finium as the Auditor-General.

[Finium]

On the advice of the Prime Minister, I hereby appoint Finium as the Auditor-General.

Oh, well then.. thank you.

[Maklohi Vai]

After consultation, I wish to appoint the following 12 people to the Mafia Inquiry Committee, to be chaired by Ainin.

PC: Oneracon, Ainin, New Zepuha, Beta Test, Kamchastkia
NC: Kouralia, Wolfmanne, Distruzio
FC: New Bierstaat, The Nihilistic view, Minarchist States
Ind: Welsh Cowboy

I also wish to appoint the following three people to be ambassadors to the Commonwealth of Nations to begin negotiations on behalf of the Aurentine government: Malgrave, Belmaria, The Licentian Isles.

On the advice of the Prime Minister, I hereby appoint Finium as the Auditor-General.

Oh, well then.. thank you.

You're welcome.

[Ainin]

Wait, I just realized we forgot to ask Kam's opinion, like the law said...