NS Parliament Chamber [IC]

[Agarntrop]

deleted

[Merni]

"Madam Speaker, this is an outrage!"

As she files out of the chamber, Anna glances bemusedly at James Penta. "Er, the speaker left here a few moments ago, after ordering all of us to get out of here..." she remarks as she exits.

[Martune]

A clerk prepares, at the speaker’s request, a list of MPs which are to be named for disciplinary actions.

[Crylante]

Sköldsvik leaves a note on the speaker's chair saying "I retract my statement." before leaving for the Seaside Garden.

[Martune]

Sköldsvik leaves a note on the speaker's chair saying "I retract my statement." before leaving for the Seaside Garden.

The clerk sees this and takes it to the speaker. She is sitting in her office getting ready to call back the MPs in an hour and introduce a new bill. She takes the note from the clerk, reads it, then tells the clerk to take him off the list of named MPs.

[Van Hool Islands]

Viktoria enters the chamber, saying;
"I retract my statement."
and then leaving.

[Martune]

A notice is given to all MPs that they are allowed to return to the capital for a new reading.

Upon the arrival of the first set of MPs, Lucia announces,

“The reading of the bill at hand shall begin now and end in 24 hours. Begin the reading.”

The Fair & Open Elections Act
Author: Austin Miller
Sponsors: Prime Minister Carl Von Leslie (NPP), Filip Stenbeck (C-P)

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---

In order to strengthen democracy and create fair and open elections free of major foreign intervention.

BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED, as follows:

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§1 - Provisions

1. No corporation that receives partial government funding, nor a government contractor shall donate money to a political candidate or organization.
2. All businesses in Saint Hilda shall disclose their political spending.
3. Foreign corporations shall be barred from making any political donations to candidates or organizations in Saint Hilda.

§2 - Definitions

1. “government contractor” is defined as a privately owned organization that produces goods and/or services for the government while under a contract.
2. “political spending” is defined as donating money to a clearly political organization or candidate or political cause which shall be defined by the courts.
3. a “foreign corporation” is hereby defined as a corporation that is a government contractor with a foreign government, a private company solely based in another nation, a private company owned 50% or more by a foreign government, or a company which is determined to operate with a foreign government in its military or intelligence campaigns. Foreign companies that are government contractors to the government of Saint Hilda shall not be known as “foreign corporations” but still shall be barred from political spending and making political donations in accordance with section one. Companies based in Sweden or its colonies shall be exempt to this definition

§3 - Penalties

1. The Prime Minister of Saint Hilda hereby shall be tasked with deciding which government organization shall oversee and enforce this legislation, or creating a new government organization to oversee and enforce this legislation
2. A corporation which violates this legislation shall be charged with corporate election fraud and if found guilty by a jury shall pay a fine of between 1% and 10% of their yearly revenue as determined by a judge as well as be barred from political spending for the next 5 years.
3. If a foreign corporation refuses to pay a fine after being ordered to do so by a judge and found guilty by a jury, they shall no longer be allowed to operate in Saint Hilda, unless the Prime Minister of parliament of Saint Hilda decide their goods are services are crucial to the proper functioning of Saint Hilda

§4 - Implementation

1. This bill will be enacted immediately upon its passage.
2. All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.
3. This legislation is not intended to and will not supersede any constitutional provisions, but instead back them with statutory law.

[The Archipelago Territory]

“I would like to see bipartisan effort for this bill. It’s nonpartisan, is sponsored by the Prime Minister, and is beneficial to both the liberal and conservative parties. It would only make our elections more fair. Who really is in charge of Saint Hilda, the Prime Minister, or the men in black suits who try to push their agenda? If we want a fair government, this is the first step to take.”

[New Lindale]

"Madame Speaker, I find it quite odd that in this bill if in effect would exempt Sweden and it's colonies, from being classified as a foreign entity in this context. Has the author the bill considered that this could have a conflict of interest of the Monarchists over the Republicans, the Pro-EU and Anti-EU and other parties? Also on the topic of this, do we have insurance to distinguish the Swedish citizens from those other Schengen nationals? I believe that we should have a security process to combat this, as in a case by case basis.

[The Archipelago Territory]

"Madame Speaker, I find it quite odd that in this bill if in effect would exempt Sweden and it's colonies, from being classified as a foreign entity in this context. Has the author the bill considered that this could have a conflict of interest of the Monarchists over the Republicans, the Pro-EU and Anti-EU and other parties? Also on the topic of this, do we have insurance to distinguish the Swedish citizens from those other Schengen nationals? I believe that we should have a security process to combat this, as in a case by case basis.

“Madam Speaker, as of now, we are under the Swedish crown. Not exempting Sweden would anger the crown. Also, we can distinguish because the bill states the types of companies that are considered ‘foreign’”

[Crylante]

"I consider it very concerning that this bill only bans spending by government owned or foreign companies. No company should make political donations, and thus I shall be voting against this bill."

[The Archipelago Territory]

"I consider it very concerning that this bill only bans spending by government owned or foreign companies. No company should make political donations, and thus I shall be voting against this bill."

“Madman Speaker, I would like to tell the honorable member to vote for this bill. Please vote for this bill, it’s the first step towards the member’s goal. Take the first step and ban foreign donations, then you can amend in to ban domestic donations or add a spending cap.”

[Zurkerx]

Jonathon walks back in, examining the bill.

"This bill is very important first step for the health of our Democracy. We must reduce the influence of any wealthy entities that can bribe elected officials, whether domestic or foreign. The security of our elections are also important given hostile actors like Russia have attempted to sway the public opinion within the United States. For the sake of making our elections free, fair, and secure, we must support this bipartisan bill together."

"I consider it very concerning that this bill only bans spending by government owned or foreign companies. No company should make political donations, and thus I shall be voting against this bill."

"Madam Speaker, all businesses would be required to disclose their political spending. While I do agree that businesses shouldn't be allowed to donate, that should go for all organizations as well. However, despite this bill lacking this key part, voting against would be foolish and we be left with less transparency, which this bill would help build up. I would be willing to work with the honorable gentleman on a bill to address these concerns."

[The Archipelago Territory]

“Madam Speaker, I agree with the honorable member. May I ask what the Opposition’s stance on this bill is?”

[Kowani]

“Madam Speaker, I agree with the honorable member. May I ask what the Opposition’s stance on this bill is?”

“Madam Speaker, as a Member of the Opposition, I agree with this bill. Although I too agree that no business should be donating to the political process, we must start somewhere, and work from there.

[The Archipelago Territory]

“Madam Speaker, I agree with the honorable member. May I ask what the Opposition’s stance on this bill is?”

“Madam Speaker, as a Member of the Opposition, I agree with this bill. Although I too agree that no business should be donating to the political process, we must start somewhere, and work from there.

“Thank you. Madam Speaker, I hope this bipartisan bill demonstrates how both parties can cooperate and work together.”

[Van Hool Islands]

"Madame Speaker, while I believe there could be more steps taking ensuring politics in this nation aren't bought by corporate interests at all, I believe this is a good first step that can be built upon later. I urge everyone in this chamber across partisan lines to support this bill."

[Nariterrr]

« Madame le Président, je suis tout à fait accord avec tout ce que mes augustes collègues ont déjà dit. Ce projet de loi est un pas dans la bonne direction et j’ai l’intention de voter en sa faveur. »

Translated:

"Madame Speaker, I am fully in agreement with all that my honorable colleagues have already said. This bill is a step in the right direction and I have full intention of voting in its favor."

"I consider it very concerning that this bill only bans spending by government owned or foreign companies. No company should make political donations, and thus I shall be voting against this bill."

« Madame le Président, je ne peux arriver à comprendre pourquoi un membre de cette auguste chambre voterait contre un projet de loi parce qu'il ne contient pas une disposition désirée, au lieu de s'opposer aux dispositions déjà dans le texte. Si l'auguste membre n'aime pas que ce projet de loi ne contienne pas une dispositions qui interdira les sociétés de verser directement de l'argent aux politiciens, je lui conseille d'écrire un amendement. »

"Madame Speaker, I cannot come to understand why a member of this august chamber would vote against a bill because it does not contain a desired provision, rather than oppposing the provisions that are already in the text. If the honorable member does not like that this bill does not contain a provision that would prohibit companies from donating to politicians, I advise him to write an amendment."

[New Lindale]

"Madame Speaker, I find it quite odd that in this bill if in effect would exempt Sweden and it's colonies, from being classified as a foreign entity in this context. Has the author the bill considered that this could have a conflict of interest of the Monarchists over the Republicans, the Pro-EU and Anti-EU and other parties? Also on the topic of this, do we have insurance to distinguish the Swedish citizens from those other Schengen nationals? I believe that we should have a security process to combat this, as in a case by case basis.

“Madam Speaker, as of now, we are under the Swedish crown. Not exempting Sweden would anger the crown. Also, we can distinguish because the bill states the types of companies that are considered ‘foreign’”

Madame Speaker, I would like to inform my colleague of being aware of Saint Hilda officially being under the Swedish Crown, but my concern is that this bill leaves us vulnerable to forces in Sweden that may occur in the future that would impair our rights. The autonomy and existence of this very institution are in jeopardy, being that if a movement had sprung up in Sweden and here calling for the dissolving of this house, we would be extremely outmatched. I am hoping we can find some protections to help prevent this.

[Pere Housh Alpha]

Michael stands up to speak, " I will be abstaining my vote for now."

[Roosevetania]

"Madam Speaker, this is a common-sense bill that I see no reason to oppose and that I hope will receive support from across the House. If the Honorable Members believe it is missing a clause, they may amend it, but that is no reason to oppose an otherwise good first step. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor."

[Pere Housh Alpha]

"Madam Speaker, this is a common-sense bill that I see no reason to oppose and that I hope will receive support from across the House. If the Honorable Members believe it is missing a clause, they may amend it, but that is no reason to oppose an otherwise good first step. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor."

"I have changed my mind, I will support this bill."

[Crylante]

"Upon further discussion of this bill you have all managed to change my mind; I will be voting in favour of this bill but I will also seek to amend it to ban all corporations from donating."

[Merni]

"Upon further discussion of this bill you have all managed to change my mind; I will be voting in favour of this bill but I will also seek to amend it to ban all corporations from donating."

"Hear, hear!"

[Martune]

“Order. The reading has concluded. We will begin the division for a 24 hour period. Lock the doors!”

The Fair & Open Elections Act
Author: Austin Miller
Sponsors: Prime Minister Carl Von Leslie (NPP), Filip Stenbeck (C-P)

---

---

In order to strengthen democracy and create fair and open elections free of major foreign intervention.

BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED, as follows:

---

---

§1 - Provisions

1. No corporation that receives partial government funding, nor a government contractor shall donate money to a political candidate or organization.
2. All businesses in Saint Hilda shall disclose their political spending.
3. Foreign corporations shall be barred from making any political donations to candidates or organizations in Saint Hilda.

§2 - Definitions

1. “government contractor” is defined as a privately owned organization that produces goods and/or services for the government while under a contract.
2. “political spending” is defined as donating money to a clearly political organization or candidate or political cause which shall be defined by the courts.
3. a “foreign corporation” is hereby defined as a corporation that is a government contractor with a foreign government, a private company solely based in another nation, a private company owned 50% or more by a foreign government, or a company which is determined to operate with a foreign government in its military or intelligence campaigns. Foreign companies that are government contractors to the government of Saint Hilda shall not be known as “foreign corporations” but still shall be barred from political spending and making political donations in accordance with section one. Companies based in Sweden or its colonies shall be exempt to this definition

§3 - Penalties

1. The Prime Minister of Saint Hilda hereby shall be tasked with deciding which government organization shall oversee and enforce this legislation, or creating a new government organization to oversee and enforce this legislation
2. A corporation which violates this legislation shall be charged with corporate election fraud and if found guilty by a jury shall pay a fine of between 1% and 10% of their yearly revenue as determined by a judge as well as be barred from political spending for the next 5 years.
3. If a foreign corporation refuses to pay a fine after being ordered to do so by a judge and found guilty by a jury, they shall no longer be allowed to operate in Saint Hilda, unless the Prime Minister of parliament of Saint Hilda decide their goods are services are crucial to the proper functioning of Saint Hilda

§4 - Implementation

1. This bill will be enacted immediately upon its passage.
2. All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.
3. This legislation is not intended to and will not supersede any constitutional provisions, but instead back them with statutory law.

Code: Select all

[color=#008000]Aye:[/color] [ ]
[color=#FF0000]No:[/color] [ ]
[color=grey]Abstain[/color] [ ]