The Senate Coffee Shop: This Is Not The Chamber

by **Maklohi Vai** » Tue Jul 11, 2017 9:22 am

Roosevetania wrote:
Maklohi Vai wrote:
Declaration of Neutrality of Fernão
Sponsor: Beto Goncalves (CTA - Maklohi Vai)
Co-Sponsors:
An Act of the Senate to secure the future of Fernão on the world stage

BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED by the Head of the State, by and with the counsel of the Government, and the authority of the Senate by virtue of the powers placed upon it by the Law, as follows:

§1 - From its own free will, conscious of its violent past and hopes for a peaceful future, the Federal Republic of Fernão declares its permanent neutrality and intention to defend that neutrality with all means at its disposal.

§ 2 - To the end of neutrality, Fernão will not permit the construction of foreign military bases or presence of foreign agents on its territory.

Looking for comments and co-sponsors

I will consider sponsoring if it is clarified that we mean military conflicts.

That's what a declaration of neutrality means on the world stage.

by **Roosevetania** » Tue Jul 11, 2017 7:22 pm

Maklohi Vai wrote:
Roosevetania wrote:I will consider sponsoring if it is clarified that we mean military conflicts.

That's what a declaration of neutrality means on the world stage.

But a declaration of neutrality might keep us diplomatically neutral, like Switzerland isn't in the EU. I don't want Fernao to become so neutral that it can't to things like join international unions.

by **Ainin** » Tue Jul 11, 2017 8:31 pm

Joining a regional organisation would require a bill anyways. The legislature cannot bind itself, so nothing short of a constitutional amendment would prevent membership in such a body.

by **Nulla Bellum** » Wed Jul 12, 2017 8:29 am

Ainin wrote:Joining a regional organisation would require a bill anyways. The legislature cannot bind itself, so nothing short of a constitutional amendment would prevent membership in such a body.

I still don't see the need for the Act. We can be neutral without making it illegal to not be neutral.

by **Maklohi Vai** » Fri Jul 14, 2017 5:14 pm

Well, I'm not changing it. I'd appreciate sponsors from those who recognize the legal basis and reasoning behind this legislation.

by **Paketo** » Fri Jul 14, 2017 5:18 pm

Maklohi Vai wrote:Well, I'm not changing it. I'd appreciate sponsors from those who recognize the legal basis and reasoning behind this legislation.

Could we define foreign agents in the bill? Couldn't a diplomat be considered a foreign agent technically?

by **Vedastia** » Fri Jul 14, 2017 10:23 pm

Paketo wrote:
Maklohi Vai wrote:Well, I'm not changing it. I'd appreciate sponsors from those who recognize the legal basis and reasoning behind this legislation.

Could we define foreign agents in the bill? Couldn't a diplomat be considered a foreign agent technically?

Good idea. I think that a clause should be inserted which specifically prohibits agents of foreign governments recruited for the purpose of espionage, whether spying on the government of Fernão or any other entity present within Fernão's borders.

by **Maklohi Vai** » Sat Jul 15, 2017 2:31 am

Paketo wrote:
Maklohi Vai wrote:Well, I'm not changing it. I'd appreciate sponsors from those who recognize the legal basis and reasoning behind this legislation.

Could we define foreign agents in the bill? Couldn't a diplomat be considered a foreign agent technically?

Yeah, fair point. Here's an edit:

Declaration of Neutrality of Fernão
Sponsor: Beto Goncalves (PA - Maklohi Vai)
Co-Sponsors: Stephan Dannon (CU - Paketo), Brega Ruijters (CU - Hindia Belanda)
An Act of the Senate to secure the future of Fernão on the world stage

BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED by the Head of the State, by and with the counsel of the Government, and the authority of the Senate by virtue of the powers placed upon it by the Law, as follows:

§1 - From its own free will, conscious of its violent past and hopes for a peaceful future, the Federal Republic of Fernão declares its permanent neutrality and intention to defend that neutrality with all means at its disposal.

§ 2 - To the end of neutrality, Fernão will not permit the construction of foreign military bases or presence of adversarial foreign agents on its territory.

by **Paketo** » Sat Jul 15, 2017 4:50 am

With that edit, I think I can sponser the the neutrality act. Stephan Dannon - CU

by **Maklohi Vai** » Sat Jul 15, 2017 5:13 am

Paketo wrote:With that edit, I think I can sponser the the neutrality act. Stephan Dannon - CU

Great, thanks. I've added you to the bill.

by **Hindia Belanda** » Sat Jul 15, 2017 8:11 am

Maklohi Vai wrote:
Paketo wrote:With that edit, I think I can sponser the the neutrality act. Stephan Dannon - CU

Great, thanks. I've added you to the bill.

I'll sponsor the bill. Brega Ruijters, CU

by **Davincia** » Sat Jul 15, 2017 8:14 am

Surely we'd be missing out on free protection from the United States.

by **Maklohi Vai** » Sat Jul 15, 2017 9:01 am

Hindia Belanda wrote:
Maklohi Vai wrote:Great, thanks. I've added you to the bill.

I'll sponsor the bill. Brega Ruijters, CU

Great, thanks!

Davincia wrote:Surely we'd be missing out on free protection from the United States.

And that's a lovely thing.

by **Tectonix** » Sat Jul 15, 2017 9:29 am

As long as this will not block our participation in international organisations, I think I've made my decision.

Sponsor — Alexios Viel (RGA)

by **Anere** » Sat Jul 15, 2017 4:00 pm

Anere wrote:
My first bill, if anyone is interested. I think that having a government ombudsmen which answers directly to the Senate is essential to this type of democracy.

Government Spending Accountability Act (GSAA)

Sponsor: Senator Angelina Acosta (Civic Union)
Co-Sponsors: Senator Leopoldo Agramonte (Civic Union), Amman Singh (Civic Union), Alexios C. Viel (Red-Green Aliance)
An Act of the Senate of Fernão to establish and empower the Bureau of Accountable Government Spending as an institution under the Senate and to establish the Offices of the Comptroller General, Deputy Comptroller General, and the Inspectors, et al.

Section 1: Definitions

Appropriations - any fund or expenditure of money or contract of monetary obligations appropriated at any amount to any recipient by the Government of Fernão or any institution related to the Government of Fernão.
Majority - More than half of all Senators present and voting.
Report - An audit, evaluation, or investigation submitted to the Senate of Fernão by the Comptroller General on the behalf of the Bureau of Accountable Government Spending.

Section 2: Bureau for Accountable Government Spending

1) The Bureau of Accountable Government Spending, which may be appropriately abbreviated to BAGS, is created under the direct authority of the Senate of Fernão and is completely independent of any and all executive institutions.
2) The duties of the Bureau of Accountable Government Spending are:
to act as the highest auditing, monetary evaluation, and investigation institution on the behalf of the Senate of Fernão.
to evaluate and investigate the reception, use, and disbursement of all public money.
to complete all audits, evaluations, and investigations that the Senate of Fernão shall instruct and to report all findings to the Senate of Fernão.
to investigate all appropriations of monies made by the Government of Fernão and its institutions.
to evaluate and investigate the expenditures of the executive departments of Fernão.
to advise the Senate of Fernão, the President of Fernão, and the Cabinet of Fernão on issues of monetary and fiscal opportunity as such persons or bodies may request.

3) The Bureau of Accountable Government Spending shall be divided into the Comptroller General and Deputy Comptroller General, the Inspectors, and Bureau Personnel.

Section 3: Comptroller General

1) The Comptroller General shall be appointed by the Senate of Fernão by majority vote upon nomination by individual Senators and shall assume the Office of Comptroller General immediately upon being appointed.
2) The Comptroller General shall serve at the pleasure of the Senate of Fernão but shall not hold office for a period longer than four months.
3) The Comptroller General is responsible for the management of all audits, evaluations, and investigations conducted or authorized by the Bureau of Accountable Government Spending and shall appoint persons to lead said audits, evaluations, and investigations.
4) Upon completion of an audit, evaluation, and investigation, persons responsible for that audit, evaluation, and investigation are responsible for reporting their findings to the Comptroller General.
5) The Comptroller General has full authority to subpoena any and all relevant information pertaining to an investigation from any institution of the Government of Fernão
6) The Comptroller General is the representative of the Bureau of Accountable Government Spending before the Senate of Fernão and may be called on by the Senate at any time.
7) The Comptroller General is responsible for giving advice to the Senate and Government of Fernão with respect to monetary and fiscal accountability.

Section 4: Deputy Comptroller General and similar matters

1) The Deputy Comptroller General shall be appointed by the Comptroller General.
2) The duties of the Deputy Comptroller General are:
to complete any assignments that the Comptroller General may assign
To act as Comptroller General in the event that the Comptroller General is unavailable.
3) In the event that both the Comptroller General and Deputy Comptroller General are unavailable for a no more than four days unregistered leave or fifteen days registered leave, the Comptroller General will appoint one of the personnel to act as Comptroller General during the absence of the Comptroller General and Deputy Comptroller General.
4) In the event that the Comptroller General and Deputy Comptroller General are no longer available, the Senate of Fernão shall choose a new Comptroller General.

Section 5: Reports

1) Reports may either be requested by the Senate of Fernão or may be compiled independently and submitted to the Senate at the discretion of the Comptroller General.
2) Upon the completion of a report, the Comptroller General shall file the report with the President of the Senate who will distribute the report to the Senators. A report may also be made for the President of Fernão and the Cabinet of Fernão if requested.
3) Should any changes to a report be necessary, the Comptroller General will notify the President of the Senate stating the reason(s) that changes were made and will submit a final conclusion.
4) In the event that the Comptroller General and Deputy Comptroller General are no longer available, the Senate shall choose a new Comptroller General.
5) The Comptroller General will report on whatever matters the Senate of Fernão requests om whatever matter the Senate may request or the Comptroller General will include a general report summarizing all of the findings of an investigation, the functionality of the government agency, and if any regulations were broken.

Section 6: Inspectors

1) Each Cabinet Department shall have one inspector who will answer directly to the Comptroller General.
3) The Inspectors shall be appointed by the Comptroller General and shall serve at his pleasure. However, the Comptroller General cannot interfere with the duties of an inspector nor can the Comptroller General dismiss an inspector without cause.
4) The duties of the Inspectors are:
to report to the Comptroller General and the head of the department any violations of the law, abuses, frauds, misdoings, or administrative faults within that department.

to have access to and request access to any information pertinent to an investigation by the Comptroller General or an investigation authorized by themselves.
to report any criminal violations to the Department of Justice and the Attorney General.
to review complaints made by employees of a department and to investigate such matters.
to appoint any necessary staff to help discharge their duties.

Section 7: Salaries and similar matters

1) The salary of the Comptroller General shall be equivalent to 140,000 United States Dollars in addition to any benefits which the law may provide.
2) The salary of the Deputy Comptroller General shall be the equivalent of 100,000 United States Dollars in addition to any benefits which the law may provide.
3) The salary of an Inspector shall be equivalent to 90,000 United States Dollars in addition to any benefits which the law may provide.
4) The salary of employees of the Bureau of Accountable Government Spending shall be determined by internal policy set by the Comptroller General or by any other laws.

Last call for any sponsors if anyone is still interested.

by **Ainin** » Sat Jul 15, 2017 4:55 pm

Minor correction: It says "to report any criminal violations to the Department of Justice and the Attorney General" when it should actually be Solicitor General, as the Attorney General is legally forbidden from intervening in the business of the independent Department of Public Prosecutions.

by **Tectonix** » Sat Jul 15, 2017 4:57 pm

Ainin wrote:Minor correction: It says "to report any criminal violations to the Department of Justice and the Attorney General" when it should actually be Solicitor General, as the Attorney General is legally forbidden from intervening in the business of the independent Department of Public Prosecutions.

Sorry, each time you say "Solicitor-General" I get a horrifying image of a certain Texas Senator...

by **Ainin** » Sat Jul 15, 2017 5:16 pm

O SHIT THIS IS FERNAO NOT ELIZIA

it's actually procurator general not solicitor general

i dun goofed

by **Anere** » Sat Jul 15, 2017 10:54 pm

Ainin wrote:O SHIT THIS IS FERNAO NOT ELIZIA

it's actually procurator general not solicitor general

i dun goofed

Thank you for alerting me to that, I'll change attorney general to procurator general.

by **Maklohi Vai** » Sun Jul 16, 2017 3:17 am

Thanks for the sponsor. One more to go, I believe, or have we lowered it to 3?

Declaration of Neutrality of Fernão
Sponsor: Beto Goncalves (PA - Maklohi Vai)
Co-Sponsors: Stephan Dannon (CU - Paketo), Brega Ruijters (CU - Hindia Belanda), Alexios Viel (RGA - Tectonix), Angelina Acosta (CU - Anere)
An Act of the Senate to secure the future of Fernão on the world stage

BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED by the Head of the State, by and with the counsel of the Government, and the authority of the Senate by virtue of the powers placed upon it by the Law, as follows:

§1 - From its own free will, conscious of its violent past and hopes for a peaceful future, the Federal Republic of Fernão declares its permanent neutrality and intention to defend that neutrality with all means at its disposal.

§ 2 - To the end of neutrality, Fernão will not permit the construction of foreign military bases or presence of adversarial foreign agents on its territory.

by **Anere** » Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:40 am

I'll sponsor

Angelina Acosta (CU - Anere)

by **Davincia** » Sun Jul 16, 2017 10:19 am

I'm fairly certain we lowered the sponsor count to three.

by **New World Oceania** » Sun Jul 16, 2017 12:10 pm

Seeking sponsors.

Senate Rules Resolution
Author: New World Oceania (PA)
Sponsor: The Office of the Presidency
A resolution governing the proceedings of the Senate.

BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED by the Head of the State, by and with the counsel of the Government, and the authority of the Senate by virtue of the powers placed upon it by the Law, as follows:

I. Rules

§1 - The Standing Rules of the Senate of Fernão shall be repealed.
§2 - A non-partisan President of the Senate, elected by the Senate, shall each week schedule five days of debate on legislation and executive business followed by two days of voting.
§3 - The President of the Senate may appoint ad-hoc committees, rule on points of order, remove members from the chamber for misconduct, and transmit messages between the Senate and the President of the Republic.
§4 - Amendments from bill authors shall be accepted.

II. Committees

§1 - The President of the Senate may appoint committees, who shall have separate threads from the Chamber, to scrutinize legislation or executive business. All Senators shall be members of each committee.
§2 - Committees may amend legislation and report on executive business to the Senate.
§3 - Committees shall be discharged of their business after five days.

III. Provisions; Effective

§1 - The Senate may adopt standing rules proposed by the President of the Senate supplementary to these rules.
§2 - Multiple executive nominations may be debated on one day.
§3 - Business debated by a committee need not be debated by the full Senate.
§4 - The President of the Senate shall each week bring to the floor as many bills sponsored by the President or a member of the President's cabinet as are brought bills not sponsored by the President or members of the President's cabinet.
§5 - This resolution shall be effective upon passage by the Senate.

by **Maklohi Vai** » Sun Jul 16, 2017 1:02 pm

Anere wrote:I'll sponsor

Angelina Acosta (CU - Anere)

Thank you!

A new Bill Depository will be set up shortly, or we may revert to the old system. I'm talking with the other admins and we'll figure something out.

by **Tectonix** » Sun Jul 16, 2017 1:19 pm

New World Oceania wrote:Seeking sponsors.

Senate Rules Resolution
Author: New World Oceania (PA)
Sponsors:
A resolution governing the proceedings of the Senate.

BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED by the Head of the State, by and with the counsel of the Government, and the authority of the Senate by virtue of the powers placed upon it by the Law, as follows:

I. Rules

§1 - The Standing Rules of the Senate of Fernão shall be repealed.
§2 - A non-partisan President of the Senate, elected by the Senate, shall each week schedule five days of debate on legislation and executive business followed by two days of voting.
§3 - The President of the Senate may appoint ad-hoc committees, rule on points of order, remove members from the chamber for misconduct, and transmit messages between the Senate and the President of the Republic.
§4 - Amendments from bill authors shall be accepted.

II. Committees

§1 - The President of the Senate may appoint committees, who shall have separate threads from the Chamber, to scrutinize legislation or executive business. All Senators shall be members of each committee.
§2 - Committees may amend legislation and report on executive business to the Senate.
a. The full Senate shall vote by ballot on amended bills, between the bill "as amended," "as submitted," and "against."
b. If the bill "as amended" and "as submitted" together receive more votes than "against," the bill shall pass as either amended or submitted, whichever receives more votes.
§3 - Committees shall be discharged of their business after five days.

III. Provisions; Effective

§1 - The Senate may adopt standing rules proposed by the President of the Senate supplementary to these rules.
§2 - Multiple executive nominations may be debated on one day.[/list]
§3 - Business debated by a committee need not be debated by the full Senate.
§4 - The President of the Senate shall bring to the floor as many bills sponsored by the President or a member of the President's cabinet as are brought bills not sponsored by the President or members of the President's cabinet.
§5 - This resolution shall be effective upon passage by the Senate.

Why are you omitting all of the decorum, voting procedures, disciplinary procedures and debate provisions? I understand what you're trying to do, but we should still retain those aspects while changing what needs to be changed.

The Senate Coffee Shop: This Is Not The Chamber

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