Northeast Assembly Legislation Introduction Thread

[Barnes]

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[Barnes]

The Clean Government Act of 2012

1. Beginning July 1, 2013, all publications and official documents published by the Northeast government shall be done so on at least 80% recycled paper.
2. Beginning January 1, 2014, all buildings and vehicles operated by the Northeast government shall be fully powered by clean and renewable "green" energy sources.
3. The Governor shall assemble a task-force to determine the exact form of alternative energy to be used in specific locations around the region to ensure that the .  The task-form shall be required to find the cheapest, most environmentally friendly, and largest job-producing energy option.
4. The task-force shall be composed of no more than twenty-five independent members who shall represent environmental groups, representatives of the executive departments, local business groups, and local citizens.
5. Begging January 1, 2013, all government buildings shall be required to provide recycling reciprocals in convenient locations for both visitors and workers.
6. The Northeast government shall request an independent agency to conduct an annual review on all government buildings to determine their carbon footprint and environmental impact.   

[Barnes]

The Clean Government Act (Revised) of 2012

1. Beginning July 1, 2013, all publications and official documents published by the Northeast government shall be on at least 80% recycled paper.
2. Beginning January 1, 2017, all buildings and vehicles operated by the Northeast government shall derive at least two-thirds of their power from clean and renewable "green" energy sources.[/quote]
3. The Governor shall oversee the creation of a Clean Government Authority to determine the exact form of alternative energy to be used in specific locations around the region.  The Clean Government Authority shall be tasked with finding the cheapest, most environmentally friendly, and largest job-producing energy options.
4. The Clean Government Authority's board of directors shall be composed of no more than twenty-five independent members who shall represent environmental groups, representatives of the executive departments, local business groups, and local citizens.
5. Beginning January 1, 2013, all government buildings shall be required to provide recycling reciprocals in convenient locations for both visitors and workers.
6. The Clean Government Authority shall conduct an annual review on all government buildings to determine their carbon footprint and environmental impact.

[Barnes]

Continuing Budget Resolution
1. To provide for a continuance in regional funding, the provisions of the July 2012 regional budget shall be extended until November 10, 2012, or until a new budget is passed, if that date is sooner.

[Barnes]

Amendment to the SOAP

In order to provide for the confirmation process in the event of a gubernatorial appointment, the SOAP is amended as follows:

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The sections of the SOAP following this amendment shall be renumbered accordingly.

[Barnes]

Gubernatorial special election amendment
Article II of the New Northeast Constitution is amended as follows:

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Subsequent clauses shall be re-numbered accordingly. 

[Barnes]

The Bi-Lingual Education Act
1. Beginning with the 2014-15 class of Kindergartners, the Northeast government shall implement the instruction of both English and Spanish as primary languages.
2. This instruction shall be implemented one additional grade level per academic year, following the aforementioned Kindergarten class.  Following this schedule, English and Spanish shall both be taught as primary languages to all K-12 levels by the 2027-28 school year.
3. The same requirement shall be instituted for private schools, but not for home schools.
4. School districts may choose, at their discretion, to implement full Spanish language classes to other elementary school grades during this period.

[Barnes]

During the entirety of the Christmas sales period, the following tax credits shall be extended to Northeastern retailers that meet the following conditions:
1) For all businesses with a majority of their products "Made in Atlasia" - a credit equal to 5% of their Christmas sales revenue.
2) For all businesses with a majority of their products "Made in Atlasia" as well as "Made in the Northeast" - a credit equal to 10% of their Christmas sales revenue.

[Barnes]

Continuing Budget Resolution No. 2
1. To provide for a continuance in regional funding, the provisions of the July 2012 regional budget shall be extended until November 18, 2012, or until a new budget is passed, if that date is sooner.

[Barnes]

Amendments to the Bi-Lingual Education Act

The Bi-Lingual Education Act is amended as follows:

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[Barnes]

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT

To provide for a special health commission to investigate infant health issues, including malnutrition, under-nutrition, lack of adequate medical care, and for connected purposes.

Be it enacted by the Northeast Assembly convened

SECTION I: Title
This act may be cited as the "Protect Our Babies! Act of 2012".

SECTION II: The Infant Health Commission
1. The Northeast Department of Health and Human Services shall immediately establish a commission to be styled "The Infant Health Commission."
2. The purpose of the commission shall be to investigate the causes for infant health defects, developed during pregnancy or after birth, and their relation to access to adequate medical care as well as adequate sources of nutrition.
3. In relation to this goal, the commission shall investigate the current level of infant health care and nutrition within the Northeast as well as the current level of average infant nutrition.
4. The commission shall  and shall be composed of seven members representing leading medical, health, and nutrition specialists from within the region. The members of the commission shall be appointed by the Governor.
5. The commission shall be charged with issuing a final report from a year from its establishment.

SECTION III: The Infant Health Outreach Program
1. The Northeast Department of Health and Human Services shall immediately invest in a region-wide community outreach program - styled "The Infant Outreach Program" - to educate mothers and families about the needs of infants after birth and the availability of both federal and government programs that can assist them.
2. The Program shall also be charged to educate mothers and families about the necessary infant foods and formulas ness scary for safe and healthy growth.
3. The program shall consist of informational packets and pamphlets, workshops, informational classes, and personal interview and discussion meetings. These programs shall be made available in participating regional hospitals as well as all regional welfare, unemployment, and community centers throughout the region.

SECTION IV: Enactment date and funding
1. This bill shall take effect upon being signed by the governor. The commission established in Section II of this act shall begin its meetings by no later than March 1, 2013. The outreach program established in Section III of this act shall begin distribution on February 1, 2013.
2. This act shall be funded through the $22 billion allocated for health services in the Fiscal Year13' Nov-March Budget.

[Barnes]

A RESOLUTION

A resolution to be transmitted to the Senate of Atlasia concerning this Assembly's concern over the state of the wiki. 

Be it enacted by the Northeast Assembly convened

To the Senate of the Republic of Atlasia:

To all whom these presents may come we, the Represetatives of the Northeast Assembly, send greeting.
1. WHEREAS the wiki is severly lacking in updates, especially in the cagegories of statutes and court cases;
2. WHEREAS the regions depend on an updated wiki to pass and enforce their own laws;
3. THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mideast Assembly urges the the Senate to hold a hearing to determine what should be done to rectify the problem.

[Barnes]

I move that the Standing Orders on Assembly Procedure (SOAP) be amended as follows:

1. Under the section titled Role of Speaker, strike the entire section and insert the following:

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[Barnes]

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[Barnes]

Regional Voting Regulations Act 2014

Section 1.
1. This act applies to all regional elections held within the Northeast, but not those conducted by the Northeast for the federal government, such as constitutional amendments.
2. Upon posting their ballot in the voting booth, every voters shall have a window of exactly twenty minutes from the time-stamp on their post to edit their ballot.
3. Any edit made after the expiry of the twenty minutes shall render the entire ballot invalid.

Section 2.
1. The relevant administrator of the election shall be charged with posting the guideline outlined in Sections 1.2 and 1.3 in the voting booth.
2. Any part of Northeast statute that conflicts with the act is repealed in every part that contains the conflict.
3. This act takes effect on becoming law.

[Barnes]

Regional Voting Regulations Act 2014 (Revised)

Section 1.
1. The voting guideline outlined in Section 2 of this act applies to all regional elections held within the Northeast, but not those conducted by the Northeast for the federal government, such as constitutional amendments.
2. The relevant administrator of the election shall be charged with posting the guideline outlined in Section 2 in the voting booth.
3. The provision allowing for the None of the Above option is repealed.
4. Any part of Northeast statute that conflicts with the act is repealed in every part that contains the conflict.
5. This act takes effect on becoming law.

Section 2.
1. The voting guideline shall appear as follows:

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2. When a referendum is placed on the ballot, the following language shall be inserted:

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[Barnes]

Affirmative Consent in Post-Secondary Education Act of 2014

In order to receive regional funds for student financial assistance, the governing board of each community college district, the Regents of the Northeast Region, and the governing boards of independent postsecondary institutions shall adopt a policy concerning sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking, as defined in relevant regional and federal statute involving a student, both on and off campus. The policy shall include all of the following:
(1) An affirmative consent standard in the determination of whether consent was given by both parties to sexual activity. “Affirmative consent” means affirmative, conscious, and voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity. It is the responsibility of each person involved in the sexual activity to ensure that he or she has the affirmative consent of the other or others to engage in the sexual activity. Lack of protest or resistance does not mean consent, nor does silence mean consent. Affirmative consent must be ongoing throughout a sexual activity and can be revoked at any time. The existence of a dating relationship between the persons involved, or the fact of past sexual relations between them, should never by itself be assumed to be an indicator of consent.
(2) A policy that, in the evaluation of complaints in any disciplinary process, it shall not be a valid excuse to alleged lack of affirmative consent that the accused believed that the complainant consented to the sexual activity under either of the following circumstances:
(A) The accused’s belief in affirmative consent arose from the intoxication or recklessness of the accused.
(B) The accused did not take reasonable steps, in the circumstances known to the accused at the time, to ascertain whether the complainant affirmatively consented.
(3) A policy that the standard used in determining whether the elements of the complaint against the accused have been demonstrated is the preponderance of the evidence.
(4) A policy that, in the evaluation of complaints in the disciplinary process, it shall not be a valid excuse that the accused believed that the complainant affirmatively consented to the sexual activity if the accused knew or reasonably should have known that the complainant was unable to consent to the sexual activity under any of the following circumstances:
(A) The complainant was asleep or unconscious.
(B) The complainant was incapacitated due to the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication, so that the complainant could not understand the fact, nature, or extent of the sexual activity.
(C) The complainant was unable to communicate due to a mental or physical condition.
(b) In order to receive regional funds for student financial assistance, the governing board of each community college district, the Regents of the Northeast, and the governing boards of independent postsecondary institutions shall adopt detailed and victim-centered policies and protocols regarding sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking involving a student that comport with best practices and current professional standards. At a minimum, the policies and protocols shall cover all of the following:
(1) A policy statement on how the institution will provide appropriate protections for the privacy of individuals involved, including confidentiality.
(2) Initial response by the institution’s personnel to a report of an incident, including requirements specific to assisting the victim, providing information in writing about the importance of preserving evidence, and the identification and location of witnesses.
(3) Response to stranger and nonstranger sexual assault.
(4) The preliminary victim interview, including the development of a victim interview protocol, and a comprehensive followup victim interview, as appropriate.
(5) Contacting and interviewing the accused.
(6) Seeking the identification and location of witnesses.
(7) Providing written notification to the victim about the availability of, and contact information for, on- and off-campus resources and services, and coordination with law enforcement, as appropriate.
(8 ) Participation of victim advocates and other supporting people.
(9) Investigating allegations that alcohol or drugs were involved in the incident.
(10) Providing that an individual who participates as a complainant or witness in an investigation of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking will not be subject to disciplinary sanctions for a violation of the institution’s student conduct policy at or near the time of the incident, unless the institution determines that the violation was egregious, including, but not limited to, an action that places the health or safety of any other person at risk or involves plagiarism, cheating, or academic dishonesty.
(11) The role of the institutional staff supervision.
(12) A comprehensive, trauma-informed training program for campus officials involved in investigating and adjudicating sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking cases.
(13) Procedures for confidential reporting by victims and third parties.
(c) In order to receive state funds for student financial assistance, the governing board of each community college district, the Regents of the Northeast, and the governing boards of independent postsecondary institutions shall, to the extent feasible, enter into memoranda of understanding, agreements, or collaborative partnerships with existing on-campus and community-based organizations, including rape crisis centers, to refer students for assistance or make services available to students, including counseling, health, mental health, victim advocacy, and legal assistance, and including resources for the accused.
(d) In order to receive state funds for student financial assistance, the governing board of each community college district, the Regents of the Northeast, and the governing boards of independent postsecondary institutions shall implement comprehensive prevention and outreach programs addressing sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. A comprehensive prevention program shall include a range of prevention strategies, including, but not limited to, empowerment programming for victim prevention, awareness raising campaigns, primary prevention, bystander intervention, and risk reduction. Outreach programs shall be provided to make students aware of the institution’s policy on sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. At a minimum, an outreach program shall include a process for contacting and informing the student body, campus organizations, athletic programs, and student groups about the institution’s overall sexual assault policy, the practical implications of an affirmative consent standard, and the rights and responsibilities of students under the policy.
(e) Outreach programming shall be included as part of every incoming student’s orientation.

[Barnes]

Commission on Campus Sexual Assault Act of 2014

1. Upon approval of this act, the Governor shall establish a commission to investigate all outstanding allegations of sexual assault and violence on all post-secondary campuses receiving funding from the Northeast Region; hereafter refereed to as "the commission."
2. The commission shall have the power to subpoena witnesses and evidence as it may deem pertinent and appropriate to the scope of its mandate.  All persons subpoenaed before the commission shall have the full right of legal counsel.
3. All sessions of the commission shall take place in open, public meetings, and the unedited record of each meeting shall be available to the public.
4. The commission shall issue a final report, with recommendations, to the Governor and the Assembly within twelve months of creation.
5. The commission shall establish a liaison with all post-secondary institutions operating in the Northeast that do not receive regional funding in order to execute its mandate.
6. The commission shall be composed of five commissioners, including a chairman.
7. Upon the submission of the commission's final report, it shall be dissolved. 

[Barnes]

I introduce the following amendment to Standing Orders:

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[Barnes]

I introduce the following amendment to Standing Orders:

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[Barnes]

I suppose the Speaker can be liberal in applying the rules here, but you are not yet a Representative, Winfield, and at the moment only have the right to introduce bills as a citizen. I suppose the new Speaker could be lenient enough to allow you keep the bills introduced once you take office, but there's certainly nothing in the SOAP to require that.

[Barnes]

Assembly Special Elections Act (Amendments) 2015

The Assembly Special Elections Act 2014 shall be amended as follows:

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[Barnes]

Providing Employment to Low-Income Inner-City Youths Act 2015

Section 1.
1. With sixty days of the coming of this act into law, the "Inner-City Employment and Redevelopment Agency," subsequently referred to as the "Agency," shall be established as an agency of the Northeast Government.
2. The Agency shall be headed by a Director, hereafter referred to as the "Director," who shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.
3.  The Agency shall have a Board of Directors, which shall be composed as follows:

• The Mayors of every city with a population at or exceeding 200,000 persons;
• Community representatives of inner-city neighborhoods chosen by the respective mayor of the said city, with no more than four representatives per city;
• The Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Speaker of the Assembly;
• The Director;
• Five representatives of anti-poverty organizations or agencies within the Northeast; with two nominated by the Governor, one by the Lieutenant Governor, and one by the Speaker of the Assembly;
• Fifteen representatives of non-profit, community oriented agencies of employments within the Northeast; with five nominated by the Governor, five by the Lieutenant Governor, and five by the Speaker of the Assembly;
• The Federal Secretary of Internal Affairs or his representative;
• Any other person(s) with expert knowledge in youth issues in inner-city communities as the Board of Directions might wish to nominate;

Section 2.
1. The remit of the Agency, executed by the Board of Directors, shall be as follows:

• To understand, acknowledge, and promote that the most productive and effective solution to inner-city poverty, crime, violence, and social immobility is lack of access and opportunity to adequate education, training, and employment;
• To establish an opportunities and employment network throughout large population areas in the Northeast that suffer from inner-city poverty, crime, violence, and social immobility;
• Such a network shall seek to offer part-time employment of 25 hours a week to disadvantaged youths living in inner-city areas in jobs that emphasize emotional growth, cultural and community development, and social inclusion;
• Such jobs must pay all said employees at the Federal or Regional minimum wage, whichever is higher;
• To couple the above-mentioned employment with 10 hours a week of "social-emotional learning time" where said teenagers shall learn to develop and expand their interests, intellects, passions, talents, and abilities, in a way to grow their personalities to benefit themselves and society.

Section 3.
[Appropriations, to be debated later]

[Barnes]

Council for the Preservation of the Cultural Heritage of Indigenous Peoples Act 2015

Whereas, the Northeast Assembly recognizes that the area now encompassing the Northeast was occupied by tribes of indigenous peoples for thousands of years before European colonization; that such tribes were highly diverse and complex societies with a rich and profound cultural heritage; that the aforementioned cultural heritage was severally curtailed and eliminated both directly and indirectly over the centuries following European colonization; that many indigenous languages, oral and written histories, traditions, art forms, and customs, have become extinct, or are endanger of extinction within the Northeast; and that it is in the interest of the entire Northeast to preserve the surviving cultural heritage of its indigenous populations.

Section 1.
1. Within 60 days of this act coming into law, the Governor shall establish the Council for the Preservation of the Cultural Heritage of Indigenous Peoples (CPCHIP), referred to as the "Council" hereafter.
2. The Council shall be composed of representatives of the Government of the Northeast, appointed by the Governor, and representatives of every federally or regional recognized tribe of indigenous peoples within the Northeast.
3. The Council shall establish its own rules and orders of operation, and shall meet at least three times throughout the year.

Section 2.
1. The Council shall be charged with investigating the extent to which the cultural heritage (meaning  indigenous languages, oral and written histories, traditions, art forms, and customs) has become, or is in the process of becoming, extinct within the Northeast.
2. The Council shall establish centers throughout the Northeast to record and preserve the aforementioned cultural heritage for the benefit of the entire community.
3. The Council shall present an annual report to the Assembly on the progress of indigenous cultural preservation.

Section 3.
[Appropriations, to be debated later]

[Barnes]

Nay. Sorry, but can we please talk about new things? I'm getting incredibly tired of having the same debates over and over.