SENATE BILL: Committee and Oversight OSPR Amendment (Passed)

[Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Committee and Oversight OSPR Amendment
Article 7: Senate Committees and Oversight Powers
Section 1: Senate Committee Formation and Powers

1. The Senate shall be empowered to create standing and special Senate Committees.
2. The Senate shall be empowered to create rules for the committees including selection of committee chairman, to set their jurisdiction and role in legislative process.
3. The Senate as whole shall elect it's members to each committee.

Sections 2 Hearing Rules
1. The Senate as whole or respective Committee of the Senate, shall have the power to conduct investigative hearings for the purpose of government oversight and accountability.

2. The PPT or designated chair of any investigative hearing shall have the necessary power to ensure that Senators do not slander officials or citizens questioned before the Senate. Said power may include dismissing the Senator from the remainder of the hearing procedure.

3. Officials shall, by a majority vote of the Senate, be held in contempt of the Senate for willfully lying or refusing to answer a question or attend a hearing in a timely fashion, as laid out in Section 4.

Section 3 Process to Convene and Conduct an Investigative Hearing of the Whole Senate
1. A resolution establishing a temporary investigatory hearing may be introduced in the Legislation Introduction thread. Such a resolution may only be considered on the Senate floor when it has been co-sponsored by at least two Senators.

2. Once introduced in accordance with clause one, the PPT shall bring it to the floor as soon as an appropriate slot opens on the Senate floor. The resolution must have at least 48 hours of debate after which the resolution may be brought to a final vote. Upon passage of the resolution, a hearing thread shall be opened and all proceedings shall be conducted by the PPT unless he shall designate a presiding official in his stead.

3. Additional resolutions and subpoena motions may be filed within the hearing. Said resolutions and motions shall have at least 24 hours of debate before they may be brought to a final vote and they shall require a simple majority of votes to pass. Discretion in hearings shall be given to the PPT or a Senator so appointed by the PPT for the duration of the hearing.

4. The presiding official of the hearing shall be charged with informing all relevant participants that he or she has been subpoenaed, how long they have to respond, and that they may be held in contempt for not complying with the subpoena.

5. At any time during a hearing, upon request by two Senators and at the discretion of the presiding official, a vote may be brought to conclude the investigation. This shall require a simple majority of the Senators to pass.

6. The President of Atlasia shall be exempt from all subpoena, contempt and investigatory resolutions.

Section 4 Contempt of the Senate
1. At any time during a hearing, upon request by two Senators and at the discretion of the presiding official, a resolution may be brought to hold a subpoenaed official or member in contempt of the Senate. Debate on said resolution shall last for no less than 48 hours, after which the presiding official shall bring the resolution to a vote.

2.Upon passage of a contempt of Senate resolution, the individual held in contempt shall be suspended from all official positions, whether appointed or elected, until such a time as the presiding official deems their response adequate.

3. Those being questioned may refuse to answer a question asked of them on the grounds of self-incrimination.

Sponsor: NC Yankee

[Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I already have plans to rewrite this via amendment, far too complex right now.

[Governor Scott]

So just to clarify- these are strictly special committees that would presumably be temporary?  I like the idea of having committees, but I feel our Senate composition is too small and that we would practically have to assign everyone to each committee just so that each one has enough members.  Correct me if I'm not getting the right idea.

[Senator North Carolina Yankee]

At most there would be two, perhaps three. With three members on each. And they would be purpose driven.

[Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Amendment:
Section 3 Creation of Standing Committees
1. Senators may introduce a resolution to establish standing committees of the Senate. The Committee must have stated responsibility in a certain policy area as narrow or broad as deemed appropriate by the Senate as a whole.

2. The resolution shall be brought to the floor and debated according to existing rules for regular deliberations.

3. Upon passage of the resolution, three Senators shall be elected to serve on the committee by a vote of the Senate as a whole. Afterthe PPT shall create a thread for the committee to conducts its business in. If a member should resign from the Senate, another senator shall be selected to take his place.

4. The committee shall select one of its members to serve as Chairman of the Committee.

5. If the committee has served its purpose, the committee may be dissolved with the consent and agreement of all three members.

6. A member of the committee may motion to conduct an investigative hearing according to the rules stated in Section 4, except that only one member of the committee need sponsor the motion and it shall require a majority to be acted upon. The rules of Contempt in Section 5 apply in full to these hearings.

All relevant sections are renumbered accordingly.

[Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Senators have 24 hours to object to the sponsor originated amendment.

[ilikeverin]

I don't have any problem with the sponsor-originated amendment, but I wonder whether the original bill is strictly necessary.  Is there enough activity to justify it?  And what, exactly, is an "Investigative Hearing of the Whole Senate"?

[Senator North Carolina Yankee]

It is what I put into the OSPR back in 2009, renamed. Basically the entire senate sets up a hearing to grill an official.


The modifications to the section from the underlying bill create the ability to establish standing committees. The amendment I offered establishes procedures with which to do that. I am still looking to simplify this, but I wanted to make sure all the procedural gaps were filled first.

[Senator North Carolina Yankee]

As for activity, I ironically have in mind this being a way to boost activity, actually.

[ilikeverin]

It is what I put into the OSPR back in 2009, renamed. Basically the entire senate sets up a hearing to grill an official.


The modifications to the section from the underlying bill create the ability to establish standing committees. The amendment I offered establishes procedures with which to do that. I am still looking to simplify this, but I wanted to make sure all the procedural gaps were filled first.

Ah, I think I misread it as somehow being an investigation of the entire Senate rather than an investigation by the entire Senate.  All good now

[Senator North Carolina Yankee]

The amendment has passed, Current Text:

Committee and Oversight OSPR AmendmentArticle 7: Senate Committees and Oversight Powers
Section 1: Senate Committee Formation and Powers

1. The Senate shall be empowered to create standing and special Senate Committees.
2. The Senate shall be empowered to create rules for the committees including selection of committee chairman, to set their jurisdiction and role in legislative process.
3. The Senate as whole shall elect it's members to each committee.

Sections 2 Hearing Rules
1. The Senate as whole or respective Committee of the Senate, shall have the power to conduct investigative hearings for the purpose of government oversight and accountability.

2. The PPT or designated chair of any investigative hearing shall have the necessary power to ensure that Senators do not slander officials or citizens questioned before the Senate. Said power may include dismissing the Senator from the remainder of the hearing procedure.

3. Officials shall, by a majority vote of the Senate, be held in contempt of the Senate for willfully lying or refusing to answer a question or attend a hearing in a timely fashion, as laid out in Section 4.

Section 3 Creation of Standing Committees
1. Senators may introduce a resolution to establish standing committees of the Senate. The Committee must have stated responsibility in a certain policy area as narrow or broad as deemed appropriate by the Senate as a whole.

2. The resolution shall be brought to the floor and debated according to existing rules for regular deliberations.

3. Upon passage of the resolution, three Senators shall be elected to serve on the committee by a vote of the Senate as a whole. After that the PPT shall create a thread for the committee to conducts its business in. If a member should resign from the Senate, another senator shall be selected to take his place.

4. The committee shall select one of its members to serve as Chairman of the Committee.

5. If the committee has served its purpose, the committee may be dissolved with the consent and agreement of all three members.

6. A member of the committee may motion to conduct an investigative hearing according to the rules stated in Section 4, except that only one member of the committee need sponsor the motion and it shall require a majority to be acted upon. The rules of Contempt in Section 5 apply in full to these hearings.

Section 4 Process to Convene and Conduct an Investigative Hearing of the Whole Senate
1. A resolution establishing a temporary investigatory hearing may be introduced in the Legislation Introduction thread. Such a resolution may only be considered on the Senate floor when it has been co-sponsored by at least two Senators.

2. Once introduced in accordance with clause one, the PPT shall bring it to the floor as soon as an appropriate slot opens on the Senate floor. The resolution must have at least 48 hours of debate after which the resolution may be brought to a final vote. Upon passage of the resolution, a hearing thread shall be opened and all proceedings shall be conducted by the PPT unless he shall designate a presiding official in his stead.

3. Additional resolutions and subpoena motions may be filed within the hearing. Said resolutions and motions shall have at least 24 hours of debate before they may be brought to a final vote and they shall require a simple majority of votes to pass. Discretion in hearings shall be given to the PPT or a Senator so appointed by the PPT for the duration of the hearing.

4. The presiding official of the hearing shall be charged with informing all relevant participants that he or she has been subpoenaed, how long they have to respond, and that they may be held in contempt for not complying with the subpoena.

5. At any time during a hearing, upon request by two Senators and at the discretion of the presiding official, a vote may be brought to conclude the investigation. This shall require a simple majority of the Senators to pass.

6. The President of Atlasia shall be exempt from all subpoena, contempt and investigatory resolutions.

Section 4 Contempt of the Senate
1. At any time during a hearing, upon request by two Senators and at the discretion of the presiding official, a resolution may be brought to hold a subpoenaed official or member in contempt of the Senate. Debate on said resolution shall last for no less than 48 hours, after which the presiding official shall bring the resolution to a vote.

2.Upon passage of a contempt of Senate resolution, the individual held in contempt shall be suspended from all official positions, whether appointed or elected, until such a time as the presiding official deems their response adequate.

3. Those being questioned may refuse to answer a question asked of them on the grounds of self-incrimination.

[Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Amendment
Section 4, Clause 6 is stricken from the text.

No reason to bar the President from "gettin some" action.

[Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Senators have 24 hours to object to my amendment.

[IDS Legislator Alfred F. Jones]

With no objections, the amendment passes.

[ilikeverin]

With no objections, the amendment passes.

I don't think that's your job.

[Senator North Carolina Yankee]

That is one hell of a short 24 hours there Alfred.


And ILV is right, we can't have senators randomly conducting procedures. Only the VP and PPT are able to do that. MoPolitico can if both of us disappear for five days.

[IDS Legislator Alfred F. Jones]

That is one hell of a short 24 hours there Alfred.


And ILV is right, we can't have senators randomly conducting procedures. Only the VP and PPT are able to do that. MoPolitico can if both of us disappear for five days.

A: Sorry, I was counting from the 7th.

B: It's fun to say.

[Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I plan to have this at a final vote tomorrow.

To start we might want create a catch all "Gov't Oversight" committee to test it out.


I think to start we can bring in Jake and grill him about what he knew about the Jersey plot and when, or maybe Ben since he has been AWOL lately.

[Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Committee and Oversight OSPR AmendmentArticle 7: Senate Committees and Oversight Powers

Section 1: Senate Committee Formation and Powers

1. The Senate shall be empowered to create standing and special Senate Committees.
2. The Senate shall be empowered to create rules for the committees including selection of committee chairman, to set their jurisdiction and role in legislative process.
3. The Senate as whole shall elect it's members to each committee.

Sections 2 Hearing Rules
1. The Senate as whole or respective Committee of the Senate, shall have the power to conduct investigative hearings for the purpose of government oversight and accountability.

2. The PPT or designated chair of any investigative hearing shall have the necessary power to ensure that Senators do not slander officials or citizens questioned before the Senate. Said power may include dismissing the Senator from the remainder of the hearing procedure.

3. Officials shall, by a majority vote of the Senate, be held in contempt of the Senate for willfully lying or refusing to answer a question or attend a hearing in a timely fashion, as laid out in Section 4.

Section 3 Creation of Standing Committees
1. Senators may introduce a resolution to establish standing committees of the Senate. The Committee must have stated responsibility in a certain policy area as narrow or broad as deemed appropriate by the Senate as a whole.

2. The resolution shall be brought to the floor and debated according to existing rules for regular deliberations.

3. Upon passage of the resolution, three Senators shall be elected to serve on the committee by a vote of the Senate as a whole. After that the PPT shall create a thread for the committee to conducts its business in. If a member should resign from the Senate, another senator shall be selected to take his place.

4. The committee shall select one of its members to serve as Chairman of the Committee.

5. If the committee has served its purpose, the committee may be dissolved with the consent and agreement of all three members.

6. A member of the committee may motion to conduct an investigative hearing according to the rules stated in Section 4, except that only one member of the committee need sponsor the motion and it shall require a majority to be acted upon. The rules of Contempt in Section 5 apply in full to these hearings.

Section 4 Process to Convene and Conduct an Investigative Hearing of the Whole Senate
1. A resolution establishing a temporary investigatory hearing may be introduced in the Legislation Introduction thread. Such a resolution may only be considered on the Senate floor when it has been co-sponsored by at least two Senators.

2. Once introduced in accordance with clause one, the PPT shall bring it to the floor as soon as an appropriate slot opens on the Senate floor. The resolution must have at least 48 hours of debate after which the resolution may be brought to a final vote. Upon passage of the resolution, a hearing thread shall be opened and all proceedings shall be conducted by the PPT unless he shall designate a presiding official in his stead.

3. Additional resolutions and subpoena motions may be filed within the hearing. Said resolutions and motions shall have at least 24 hours of debate before they may be brought to a final vote and they shall require a simple majority of votes to pass. Discretion in hearings shall be given to the PPT or a Senator so appointed by the PPT for the duration of the hearing.

4. The presiding official of the hearing shall be charged with informing all relevant participants that he or she has been subpoenaed, how long they have to respond, and that they may be held in contempt for not complying with the subpoena.

5. At any time during a hearing, upon request by two Senators and at the discretion of the presiding official, a vote may be brought to conclude the investigation. This shall require a simple majority of the Senators to pass.

Section 4 Contempt of the Senate
1. At any time during a hearing, upon request by two Senators and at the discretion of the presiding official, a resolution may be brought to hold a subpoenaed official or member in contempt of the Senate. Debate on said resolution shall last for no less than 48 hours, after which the presiding official shall bring the resolution to a vote.

2.Upon passage of a contempt of Senate resolution, the individual held in contempt shall be suspended from all official positions, whether appointed or elected, until such a time as the presiding official deems their response adequate.

3. Those being questioned may refuse to answer a question asked of them on the grounds of self-incrimination.

[IDS Legislator Alfred F. Jones]

Do we really need committees?

[Senator North Carolina Yankee]

It is one of those things that we will find out by trying it.


Right now I would argue in this case that it is better to try, even if it doesn't work. Right now we are in an abyss of nothingness and there is only one way to end that.

I have to check one more thing on this and so a vote won't start till tomorrow.

[Senator Napoleon]

Do we really need committees?

Yes.

[IDS Legislator Alfred F. Jones]

Do we really need committees?

Yes.

But there are 10 of us.

[Governor Scott]

Do we really need committees?

Yes.

But there are 10 of us.

As Yankee explained

At most there would be two, perhaps three. With three members on each. And they would be purpose driven.

This bill would be a great way of creating a more active Senate and reforming part of the game without doing anything drastic or unnecessary.

[ilikeverin]

As Yankee explained

At most there would be two, perhaps three. With three members on each. And they would be purpose driven.

This bill would be a great way of creating a more active Senate and reforming part of the game without doing anything drastic or unnecessary.

Except, you know, they're unnecessary, because we're a group of 10 and don't have all that much business to take care of in the first place...