[TWI Only] Senate of The Western Isles

[Wildelyn]

This thread will serve as a place of general discussion for the Senators of The Western Isles. Internal procedure and proposed legislation. It will also serve as a hub for legislative opinions and discussion about legislation that is likely to generate copious amounts of content.

Senate Policy on Speech Concerning both Non-Senators & Senators
In order to create a more debatable and comforting grounds for the Legislative branch, Restrictions for speech concerning non-senators and senators are enacted.
1) No extreme usage of profanity vocabulary - Try to keep it calm and professional.
2) Do not create one post after another one - Keep it small, we do not need a thousand messages.
3) Do not use 'L337' Language or any type of 'Internet' Language - Keep it English and professional speech.
~Further enactments shall be enacted as time goes and if are needed~

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Social Justice Protocol - Will be debating if under Revision.

Proposed Legislation - by months

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Formatting and Procedures Act (2015) - PASSED 2:1:0
1st Constitutional Amendment (2015) - PASSED 2:1:0
Speaker Pro Tempore Act - PASSED 3:0:0
Reference Information Act - PASSED 2:1:0
First Formatting and Procedures Amendment (2015) - PASSED 3:0:0
World Assembly Delegate Procedures Act - PASSED 2:1:0

The Senate shall adhere to the Constitution of The Western Isles and as so The Speaker is always defaulted to the Vice President

[Tuernia]

Excellent work. One quibble, it ought to be "Proposed Legislation" instead of "Proposed Legislative."

I'd like to propose the following bill.

Formatting and Procedures Act (2015)

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An Act to create a standard format for Acts of the Senate, as well as set procedures for the debate and passage of bills in the same.

---

Definitions

(1) “Act of the Senate” is defined as any legislation passed by the Senate of the Western Isles.

(2) “Bill” is defined as any piece of legislation under the consideration of the Senate, prior to passage.

Standard Format

(1) The format of this Act shall be the standard for all future Acts of the Senate.

(2) The template included below shall be accessible for all Senators.

(3) The Vice President shall enforce the formatting of all Acts of the Senate according to this Act, in their capacity as Speaker of the Senate.

(4) In such cases as may arise in which the standard formatting shall be insufficient, cumbersome, or otherwise not useful, Acts may be formatted otherwise. However, all attempts shall be made to bring such Acts as close to the standard format as reasonably possible.

Standard Procedure

(1) The following procedure shall be the standard operating procedure of the Senate for the consideration, debating, and voting upon of bills.

a) First Reading: The bill shall be introduced by the Vice President to the floor of the Senate. At this time Senators may comment on the bill’s formatting, structure, and suitability. Debate should not occur on the merits of the bill itself at this time. When 24 hours has elapsed, or a majority of the Senators have voted to do so, a vote shall be held to determine if the bill shall advance to the next stage.
b) Second Reading: If a bill passes the First Reading, it shall be moved to Second Reading. In the Second Reading, Senators may debate the bill itself, in any and all aspects. After 48 hours, or when a majority of the Senators vote to do so, a vote shall be held to determine if the bill shall advance to the next stage.
c) Publication: If a bill passes Second Reading it shall be considered to have been passed by the Senate, and shall become law. It shall be published for public viewing by the Vice President.
d) Supreme Court: If a bill is also an amendment, it shall be sent to the Supreme Court if it passes the Second Reading. If the Supreme Court judges it to be constitutional, it shall be published for public viewing by the Vice President.

2) Unless otherwise provided for by law, all voting periods shall last 24 hours.

3) The Vice President is directed to create a Docket, easily visible by all Senators. The Docket shall list all bills that have been submitted to the Senate. Items shall be added in chronological order of their submission, and shall be considered, one at a time, in this order. The Senate may, by majority vote, move items to the top of the docket.

Standard Format Code

Code: Select all

[box][align=center][size=150][b]Short Title (Year)[/b][/size][hr][/hr]
[i]Long Title “An Act to etc.”[/i][/align][hr][/hr]

[b][i]Section Heading[/i][/b]

(1)

(2)

[b][i]Section Heading[/i][/b]

(1)
a)
b)[/box]

[Wildelyn]

Excellent work. One quibble, it ought to be "Proposed Legislation" instead of "Proposed Legislative."

I'd like to propose the following bill.

Formatting and Procedures Act (2015)

---

An Act to create a standard format for Acts of the Senate, as well as set procedures for the debate and passage of bills in the same.

---

Definitions

(1) “Act of the Senate” is defined as any legislation passed by the Senate of the Western Isles.

(2) “Bill” is defined as any piece of legislation under the consideration of the Senate, prior to passage.

Standard Format

(1) The format of this Act shall be the standard for all future Acts of the Senate.

(2) The template included below shall be accessible for all Senators.

(3) The Vice President shall enforce the formatting of all Acts of the Senate according to this Act, in their capacity as Speaker of the Senate.

(4) In such cases as may arise in which the standard formatting shall be insufficient, cumbersome, or otherwise not useful, Acts may be formatted otherwise. However, all attempts shall be made to bring such Acts as close to the standard format as reasonably possible.

Standard Procedure

(1) The following procedure shall be the standard operating procedure of the Senate for the consideration, debating, and voting upon of bills.

a) First Reading: The bill shall be introduced by the Vice President to the floor of the Senate. At this time Senators may comment on the bill’s formatting, structure, and suitability. Debate should not occur on the merits of the bill itself at this time. When 24 hours has elapsed, or a majority of the Senators have voted to do so, a vote shall be held to determine if the bill shall advance to the next stage.
b) Second Reading: If a bill passes the First Reading, it shall be moved to Second Reading. In the Second Reading, Senators may debate the bill itself, in any and all aspects. After 48 hours, or when a majority of the Senators vote to do so, a vote shall be held to determine if the bill shall advance to the next stage.
c) Presidential Approval: If a bill passes Second Reading it shall be presented to the President for his signature.

2) Unless otherwise provided for by law, all voting periods shall last 24 hours.

3) The Vice President is directed to create a Docket, easily visible by all Senators. The Docket shall list all bills that have been submitted to the Senate. Items shall be added in chronological order of their submission, and shall be considered, one at a time, in this order. The Senate may, by majority vote, move items to the top of the docket.

Standard Format Code

Code: Select all

[box][align=center][size=150][b]Short Title (Year)[b][/size][/align][hr][/[hr]
[i]Long Title “An Act to etc.”[/i][hr][/hr]

[b][i]Section Heading[/i][/b]

(1)

(2)

[b][i]Section Heading[/i][/b]

(1)
a)
b)[/box]

Could you please insert that into a dispatch for reference on the Legislative Docket.

[Dashgrinaar]

Excellent work. One quibble, it ought to be "Proposed Legislation" instead of "Proposed Legislative."

I'd like to propose the following bill.

Formatting and Procedures Act (2015)

---

An Act to create a standard format for Acts of the Senate, as well as set procedures for the debate and passage of bills in the same.

---

Definitions

(1) “Act of the Senate” is defined as any legislation passed by the Senate of the Western Isles.

(2) “Bill” is defined as any piece of legislation under the consideration of the Senate, prior to passage.

Standard Format

(1) The format of this Act shall be the standard for all future Acts of the Senate.

(2) The template included below shall be accessible for all Senators.

(3) The Vice President shall enforce the formatting of all Acts of the Senate according to this Act, in their capacity as Speaker of the Senate.

(4) In such cases as may arise in which the standard formatting shall be insufficient, cumbersome, or otherwise not useful, Acts may be formatted otherwise. However, all attempts shall be made to bring such Acts as close to the standard format as reasonably possible.

Standard Procedure

(1) The following procedure shall be the standard operating procedure of the Senate for the consideration, debating, and voting upon of bills.

a) First Reading: The bill shall be introduced by the Vice President to the floor of the Senate. At this time Senators may comment on the bill’s formatting, structure, and suitability. Debate should not occur on the merits of the bill itself at this time. When 24 hours has elapsed, or a majority of the Senators have voted to do so, a vote shall be held to determine if the bill shall advance to the next stage.
b) Second Reading: If a bill passes the First Reading, it shall be moved to Second Reading. In the Second Reading, Senators may debate the bill itself, in any and all aspects. After 48 hours, or when a majority of the Senators vote to do so, a vote shall be held to determine if the bill shall advance to the next stage.
c) Presidential Approval: If a bill passes Second Reading it shall be presented to the President for his signature.

2) Unless otherwise provided for by law, all voting periods shall last 24 hours.

3) The Vice President is directed to create a Docket, easily visible by all Senators. The Docket shall list all bills that have been submitted to the Senate. Items shall be added in chronological order of their submission, and shall be considered, one at a time, in this order. The Senate may, by majority vote, move items to the top of the docket.

Standard Format Code

Code: Select all

[box][align=center][size=150][b]Short Title (Year)[b][/size][/align][hr][/[hr]
[i]Long Title “An Act to etc.”[/i][hr][/hr]

[b][i]Section Heading[/i][/b]

(1)

(2)

[b][i]Section Heading[/i][/b]

(1)
a)
b)[/box]

Beautiful

Wildelyn, I would have you TG Linaviar for the entire Judicial docket we need. Nice thread.

[Tuernia]

Could you please insert that into a dispatch for reference on the Legislative Docket.

I would, but code tags don't work in dispatches. In this instance could you just link that post to the docket?

[Dashgrinaar]

Could you please insert that into a dispatch for reference on the Legislative Docket.

I would, but code tags don't work in dispatches. In this instance could you just link that post to the docket?

Yes, just for this one. We also need to develop a standard procedure for legislation

[Wildelyn]

Could you please insert that into a dispatch for reference on the Legislative Docket.

I would, but code tags don't work in dispatches. In this instance could you just link that post to the docket?

Added to the Legislative docket.

Now, a large question; Does the Senate wish to start debate now or await further senators for a more wider debate.

[Vancouvia]

Excellent work. One quibble, it ought to be "Proposed Legislation" instead of "Proposed Legislative."

I'd like to propose the following bill.

Formatting and Procedures Act (2015)

---

An Act to create a standard format for Acts of the Senate, as well as set procedures for the debate and passage of bills in the same.

---

Definitions

(1) “Act of the Senate” is defined as any legislation passed by the Senate of the Western Isles.

(2) “Bill” is defined as any piece of legislation under the consideration of the Senate, prior to passage.

Standard Format

(1) The format of this Act shall be the standard for all future Acts of the Senate.

(2) The template included below shall be accessible for all Senators.

(3) The Vice President shall enforce the formatting of all Acts of the Senate according to this Act, in their capacity as Speaker of the Senate.

(4) In such cases as may arise in which the standard formatting shall be insufficient, cumbersome, or otherwise not useful, Acts may be formatted otherwise. However, all attempts shall be made to bring such Acts as close to the standard format as reasonably possible.

Standard Procedure

(1) The following procedure shall be the standard operating procedure of the Senate for the consideration, debating, and voting upon of bills.

a) First Reading: The bill shall be introduced by the Vice President to the floor of the Senate. At this time Senators may comment on the bill’s formatting, structure, and suitability. Debate should not occur on the merits of the bill itself at this time. When 24 hours has elapsed, or a majority of the Senators have voted to do so, a vote shall be held to determine if the bill shall advance to the next stage.
b) Second Reading: If a bill passes the First Reading, it shall be moved to Second Reading. In the Second Reading, Senators may debate the bill itself, in any and all aspects. After 48 hours, or when a majority of the Senators vote to do so, a vote shall be held to determine if the bill shall advance to the next stage.
c) Presidential Approval: If a bill passes Second Reading it shall be presented to the President for his signature.

2) Unless otherwise provided for by law, all voting periods shall last 24 hours.

3) The Vice President is directed to create a Docket, easily visible by all Senators. The Docket shall list all bills that have been submitted to the Senate. Items shall be added in chronological order of their submission, and shall be considered, one at a time, in this order. The Senate may, by majority vote, move items to the top of the docket.

Standard Format Code

Code: Select all

[box][align=center][size=150][b]Short Title (Year)[b][/size][/align][hr][/[hr]
[i]Long Title “An Act to etc.”[/i][hr][/hr]

[b][i]Section Heading[/i][/b]

(1)

(2)

[b][i]Section Heading[/i][/b]

(1)
a)
b)[/box]

Bills don't require the President's signature right now, and you fail to say whether a Presidential signature would be required or not if this was passed. I speak for myself and not my predecessors but I do not want neither the informal or formal task of signing my name to any passed laws. The Senate should maintain its independence as much as possible.

[Dashgrinaar]

I would, but code tags don't work in dispatches. In this instance could you just link that post to the docket?

Added to the Legislative docket.

Now, a large question; Does the Senate wish to start debate now or await further senators for a more wider debate.

I would start debate, but also telegram Vancouvia there aren't 3. Wildelyn, can you can act as one?

[Wildelyn]

Added to the Legislative docket.

Now, a large question; Does the Senate wish to start debate now or await further senators for a more wider debate.

I would start debate, but also telegram Vancouvia there aren't 3. Wildelyn, can you can act as one?

I do not believe i could as i am already a member of the Senate as Speaker.

anyways, Vancouvia is right as the Senate should retain its independence as much as possible.

[Tuernia]

Bills don't require the President's signature right now, and you fail to say whether a Presidential signature would be required or not if this was passed. I speak for myself and not my predecessors but I do not want neither the informal or formal task of signing my name to any passed laws. The Senate should maintain its independence as much as possible.

I had assumed executive signature was implied, although not stated. It was a mistake to leave that out of the Constitution, it's a rather universal feature of governments that the executive signs laws, though their choice in doing so varies. I personally think we should just require the President to sign and publish all laws, like a constitutional monarch. But I'd be fine with just passing them, if the Senate and President prefer.

[Dashgrinaar]

Bills don't require the President's signature right now, and you fail to say whether a Presidential signature would be required or not if this was passed. I speak for myself and not my predecessors but I do not want neither the informal or formal task of signing my name to any passed laws. The Senate should maintain its independence as much as possible.

I had assumed executive signature was implied, although not stated. It was a mistake to leave that out of the Constitution, it's a rather universal feature of governments that the executive signs laws, though their choice in doing so varies. I personally think we should just require the President to sign and publish all laws, like a constitutional monarch. But I'd be fine with just passing them, if the Senate and President prefer.

I believe we should remove it.

[Tuernia]

*grumbles about the importance of ceremony and tradition*

Ok, fixed it.

[Wildelyn]

Legislative Docket has been updated.

[Dashgrinaar]

Legislative Docket has been updated.

Do we have any debate over the proposed bill?

Also, Doppler is our 3rd Senator for now

[Vancouvia]

*grumbles about the importance of ceremony and tradition*

Ok, fixed it.

I worry about disagreeing with a law you have passed and having to face the ethical dilemma of either striking down a senate decision or signing my name to something I disagree with. So thanks for removing it

[Tuernia]

I believe we can clear up the docket dramatically by removing a majority of this legislation the Supreme Court dumped on us.

Therefore, I move to temporarily suspend debate on the current bill, and to remove the following pieces of legislation from the docket.

Military Realism
-Unecessary restrictions on roleplay.
-We don't need a formula
-The Sec. of Interior should already be handling this, doesn't need laws to direct him

Sec. of Pity
-Obviously a frivolous amendment that the Supreme Court was forced to consider due to the inefficiencies of the old constitution, we are under no such constraints.

Repeal Exec Proc on Regional Newspapers
-Superseded by new constitution, which explicitly makes executive proclamations legal.

Census and Puppet Registry Act
-This is a pointless amendment, we have no need of such a census
-It would annoy people to have to report in every month, and is an unnecessary breach of liberty

Ministers and Secretaries
-Made redundant by the new constitution, in which secretaries may have assistants
-Host of other problems

[Tuernia]

Note: Made a small edit to the Formatting and Procedures Act to outline that amendments are sent to the court after passing Second Reading.

[Wildelyn]

I believe we can clear up the docket dramatically by removing a majority of this legislation the Supreme Court dumped on us.

Therefore, I move to temporarily suspend debate on the current bill, and to remove the following pieces of legislation from the docket.

Military Realism
-Unecessary restrictions on roleplay.
-We don't need a formula
-The Sec. of Interior should already be handling this, doesn't need laws to direct him

Sec. of Pity
-Obviously a frivolous amendment that the Supreme Court was forced to consider due to the inefficiencies of the old constitution, we are under no such constraints.

Repeal Exec Proc on Regional Newspapers
-Superseded by new constitution, which explicitly makes executive proclamations legal.

Census and Puppet Registry Act
-This is a pointless amendment, we have no need of such a census
-It would annoy people to have to report in every month, and is an unnecessary breach of liberty

Ministers and Secretaries
-Made redundant by the new constitution, in which secretaries may have assistants
-Host of other problems

Does anyone else second the motion of temporarily suspension?

[Dashgrinaar]

I believe we can clear up the docket dramatically by removing a majority of this legislation the Supreme Court dumped on us.

Therefore, I move to temporarily suspend debate on the current bill, and to remove the following pieces of legislation from the docket.

Military Realism
-Unecessary restrictions on roleplay.
-We don't need a formula
-The Sec. of Interior should already be handling this, doesn't need laws to direct him

Sec. of Pity
-Obviously a frivolous amendment that the Supreme Court was forced to consider due to the inefficiencies of the old constitution, we are under no such constraints.

Repeal Exec Proc on Regional Newspapers
-Superseded by new constitution, which explicitly makes executive proclamations legal.

Census and Puppet Registry Act
-This is a pointless amendment, we have no need of such a census
-It would annoy people to have to report in every month, and is an unnecessary breach of liberty

Ministers and Secretaries
-Made redundant by the new constitution, in which secretaries may have assistants
-Host of other problems

Does anyone else second the motion of temporarily suspension?

Seconded

[Tuernia]

I assume you're seconding the entire motion, correct Dashgrinaar? Including the removal of those items from the docket?

If so, then that's a majority, and the motion passes. Then we may continue debate on the F&P Act.

[Dashgrinaar]

I assume you're seconding the entire motion, correct Dashgrinaar? Including the removal of those items from the docket?

If so, then that's a majority, and the motion passes. Then we may continue debate on the F&P Act.

Yes. Is there any debate on the F&P Act?

[Wildelyn]

Docket has been updated.

I am assuming the F&P is entitled to be passed?

[Dashgrinaar]

Docket has been updated.

I am assuming the F&P is entitled to be passed?

I move to simultaneously vote for the F&P Bill to be moved to the Second Reading and Passed

[Tuernia]

I move to simultaneously vote for the F&P Bill to be moved to the Second Reading and Passed

For the sake of protocol, I will consider my first posting to have been the First Reading. Although in the future, bills should be in a dispatch submitted to the VP via TG. He will then post them in the thread. We may, therefore, consider ourselves to currently be in Second Reading.

If you're alright with this interpretation, Dash, then I too approve of the F&P Act.

We may follow procedure more closely with upcoming bills.