Legislation Introduction Thread

[MasterJedi]

I'll try to get some of this near the top of next session too!

Atlasian Regions Amendment

I.   Regions
1.   The former regions of Atlasia are hereby disbanded.
2.   The new regions of Atlaisa are now the Pacific, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and Southeast.
A.   Pacific: Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming, Arizona, New Mexico, Montana and Colorado
B.   Midwest: North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. 
C.   Mid-Atlantic: Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, West Virginia and D.C.
D.   Southeast: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.
E.   Northeast: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island
II.   Regions Constitutions
1.   The new regions of Atlasia may choose to adopt an old regions constitution or write a new one
2.   All constitutions from all former regions shall be put up to a vote for the citizens of the new region along with the option of None of the Above.
3.   For any constitution to come into power a simple majority is all that is needed from each new region. Also the same is in effect for NOTA.
4.   Any propositions that have passed on an adopted constitution shall come into power a long with it.
5.   If NOTA passes all propositions that have passed on any old constitutions but are not written into the new constitution shall be put on the ballet along with the new constitution for a vote.
III.   Elections
1.   Any office holder in Atlasia shall stay in office until they’re term expires then they shall seek re-election from their new region.
2.  If any office shall fall vacant before the old term expires there shall be a special election held from the old region until the next scheduled election.
3.  If after an election cycle a region would still be Governerless that region shall have a special election held to elect a new Governer.
IV.   Region Lock
1.   No state shall be locked into any one region.
2.   Each state has the right to switch region as long as the entire population of said state signs a petition for movement.

[MasterJedi]

2005 Puerto Rican Statehood Bill

I.   The commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are hereby the 51st state of the union of the Atlasia with the name of Puerto Rico.
II.   The Senate shall vote on which region/district Puerto Rico shall be designated into.
III.   The State of Puerto Rico shall be given full rights from whichever district/region it’s placed into and be under full jurisdiction of the Atlasian constitution.

[MasterJedi]

Strike my Regions Amendment please. No more states to the south, we'll just leave it as is for now. My other bill is still in there though.

[MasterJedi]

The Repeal of the ANWR Drilling Authorization Bill

Primary Sponsor: Senator MAS117

1.) The entirety of the ANWR Drilling Authorization Bill is hereby repealed.

2.) All appropriations and other moneys set to be authorized for fulfillment of this legislation in the Preliminary Version of the Federal Budget for FY 2006 and all future Fiscal Years shall be terminated.

Do you really think the almost Senate that passed this will repeal it? I don't think so.

[MasterJedi]

Tax Equity Act of 2005

Section 1: Payroll Taxes Repealed
Subtitle C of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to payroll taxes and withholding of income taxes) is repealed.

Section 2: Estate and Gift Taxes Repealed
Subtitle B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to estate and gift taxes) is repealed.

Section 3: Conforming Amendments; Effective Date
(a) The Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--

(1) by striking subtitle H (relating to financing of presidential election campaigns), and
(2) by redesignating--
  (A) subtitle D (relating to miscellaneous excise taxes) as subtitle B,
  (B) subtitle E (relating to alcohol, tobacco, and certain other excise taxes) as subtitle C,
  (C) subtitle F (relating to procedure and administration) as subtitle D,
  (D) subtitle G (relating to the Joint Committee on Taxation) as subtitle E,
  (E) subtitle I (relating to the Trust Fund Code) as subtitle F,
  (F) subtitle J (relating to coal industry health benefits) as subtitle G, and
  (G) subtitle K (relating to group health plan portability, access, and renewability requirements) as subtitle H.

(b) Redesignation of 1986 Code-

(1) The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, enacted on October 22, 1986, as heretofore, hereby, or hereafter amended, may be cited as the 'Internal Revenue Code of 2005'.

(2) Except when inappropriate, any reference in any law, Executive order, or other document--
  (A) to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall include a reference to the Internal Revenue Code of 2005, and
  (B) to the Internal Revenue Code of 2005 shall include a reference to the provisions of law formerly known as the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(c) The amendments made by this act shall take effect for all tax years (months) beginning after it becomes law.

Section 4: Enactment of Flat Tax

Subchapter A of Subtitle A is amended to read:

'Section 1. Flat Tax Imposed
'There is hereby imposed, on every resident, a tax equal to 16 percent of the total income, from whatever source derived, of such person, except for estates and gifts.'

Section 5: Supermajority Required for Structural Changes to Personal Income Tax

No measure to create any new personal income tax bracket, deduction, or exemption shall be considered by the Senate but by a vote of three-fifths of the total number of senators, taken by yeas and nays.

[MasterJedi]

This was written by Joe Republic, I'm sponsering it for him.

Secret Ballot Procedure Bill

Section 1

1. During any federal election, a registered voter may choose to submit their ballot or absentee ballot in secret.  This is considered an optional alternative form of voting to a public ballot.  The method of vote submission is outlined in Section 2, Clause 4 below.

2. All secret ballots must satisfy all clauses outlined in Section 1 of the Omnibus Election System, Procedure and Certification Act.

3. No registered voter may vote both publicly and secretly in the same election.  If this occurs, the Secretary of Forum Affairs will discount both votes.

Section 2

1. For the purposes of counting and validating secret ballots, an Electoral Committee will be assembled by no later than a week before the election is scheduled to begin.

2. The Committee will be comprised of three members, consisting of the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Forum Affairs, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

3. In the event that any of the office holders listed either are themselves candidates in the election or are not present to fulfill their duty, those in the aforementioned situation shall be replaced by the highest office holder in the following list who is not a candidate present in the election and who is present to fulfill the duty:

Senior Associate Justice
Junior Associate Justice
Vice President
President Pro Tempore
Secretary of State
Attorney General
Secretary of Defense
Secretary of the Treasury
1A Senator
1B Senator
2A Senator
2B Senator
3A Senator
3B Senator
4A Senator
4B Senator
5A Senator
5B Senator

4. Identical copies of all secret ballots will be submitted for counting by the voter to each of the three members of the Committee in the form of a personal message.

5. Once voting has officially ended, the Committee will convene in a private and suitable manner.  Each member will ensure that their own collected ballots are identical to the corresponding ballots collected by the other two members.

6. In the event that any one of the three copies of a ballot does not match the corresponding copies, the ballot will be discounted.

7. All legitimate ballots will then be incorporated into the vote count and subsequent certification for the relevant election.

8. Once the election has been certified, the Committee will disband.

[MasterJedi]

Entered by StatesRights Before

Atlasian National Parks Act

Section One
•  Atlasia shall set up a senatorial commission to investigate the creation of several national parks within Atlasia.
•  National Parks shall be created with the consent of the several Regions.
•  A National Park shall be considered a natural wonder or site of historical significance (i.e. battlefield, historical home/birthplace).

Section Two - Protections
•  Any area deemed a Natural Wonder or Historical Site shall be protected from all construction, development or any other act which would destroy the integrity of the site.
•  Any construction to sites to improve them (i.e. Parking lots, visitor centers, etc) shall be done upon the approval of the senate.
•  Any homes, businesses or private properties currently on areas deemed to be national parks shall be purchased by the Atlasian government at fair market value.

Section Three - Declaring a Park
•  Intentions for a park may be declared by the President simply by requesting the senate to investigate and vote on the matter.
•  Senators may petition for the creation of a park to the senate.
•  Citizens may start a petition for a national park to be voted on by the senate.

Section Four - Voting for a Park
•  Creation of a park will require a simple majority of the senate to pass.

[MasterJedi]

Entered by StatesRights Before

Atlasian Wetlands Act

Section One - What is a Wetland?
•  Wetlands shall be considered any area of undeveloped land greater then five acres which is either partially submerged or submerged under water for greater then six months of the year.
•  Wetlands shall be considered any area in which development has not already occurred and/or development has not already begun.

Section Two - Protections
•  All undeveloped wetlands shall henceforth be protected under federal law and be enforced by the regional governors under their discretion.
•  Wetlands shall not be drained, rechanneled or otherwise damaged once declared as a declared protection zone.
•  ATVs and Airboats shall not be restricted from recreational usage of these waterways but their usage (ie speeds) shall be determined by the regional governors.
•  Wetlands will be protected from use as sewage dumps, drain off points or other such non-natural usages.

Section Three - Penalties
•  Violators shall face a ladder penalty of 500$ for the first offence, 1000$ for the second offence and 10,000$ for the third offence.
•  Habitual violators shall face the above mentioned fines plus up to 3 years imprisonment to be determined by the court.

[MasterJedi]

Wow three bills in one day. Thanks to John D. Ford for writing this one for me!

Prescription Drug Reimportation Act

1. Atlasian trade law shall be amended to allow private citizens to purchase prescription drugs from Canadian retailers and transport them into the United States for private use.

  A. Section one shall not apply in cases where the Atlasian citizen does not have a properly
      issued prescription for the drug in question.

2. Drugs reimported from Canada may not be resold in the United States.  Only private non-commercial use is permitted.

   A. Violation of Section 2 will result in a penalty of maximum ten years imprisonment and
      a maximum fine of $5,000.

3. No commercial enterprise may purchase drugs in Canada and reimport them.  The privileges are restricted to private citizens who have been prescribed the medication in question.

   A. Any commercial enterprise that attempts to reimport drugs into the US will be fined a
     maximum of $50,000 per dosage of drugs they attempt to reimport.

4. No drug may be purchased directly from a drug producer or wholesaler, only from retailers.

[MasterJedi]

Expanding the language and actions of this bill is probably a good idea, but here is the real jist of it:

Atlasian Road and Rail Deregulation and Privatization Initiative

Section 1
(a).  The Senate recognizes that the regulation and subsidization of freight and passenger rail is fiscally irresponsible and economically dangerous for the industry.

(b).  The Senate recognizes that the nationalization of highways, roads, and bridges is unnecessary and dangerous for the designing of future infrastructure.

(c).  The Senate recognizes that the federal taxation of automotive fuel is economically dangerous and an unnecessary tax.

Section 2
All Federal taxes on the purchase of all fuel used for the powering of automotive vehicles shall be hereby repealed.

Section 3
(a). The Urban Mass Transit Act of 1964, Railway Labor Act of 1926, and the Railroad Retirement Act of 1934 are hereby repealed.

(b). All subsides on freight rail, subways, and other forms of passenger rail are shall be declared void by FY2006.

Section 4
(a).  The management of all highway, road, and bridge networks in Atlasia shall be transfered to their respective regional governments by FY2006.

I'd like to co-sponsor this bill.

[MasterJedi]

Pacifican Statehood Act of 2005

I. After a majority of vote by the citizens of Guam, Atlasian Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands voting in the affirmative in a referendum administrated five days after the passage of this act by the territory governments of the commonwealths of Guam, Atlasian Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands are hereby entered in the Union of Atlasia as the 52nd state of Pacifica (or 51st if Puerto Rico doesn’t come in).
II. The Senate shall vote on the region/district the state of Pacifica shall be entered into.
III. The state of Pacifica shall be given full rights under whichever region/district it’s placed into and be under full jurisdiction of the Atlasian Constitution.

[MasterJedi]

I added the 3 territories in the Pacific that have population (Northern Mariana, Guam and Atlasian (in this case) Somoa) as one state.

You (in your bill that even you admit is pointless) want each island a state, even those that don't have population. In my bill we start getting some taxes back while getting the islands up to the quality of living that we enjoy today.

You on the other hand seem to really want to let them wallow in poverty!

[MasterJedi]

Striking of the 24 Waiting Period

Primary Sponsor:[/b] Senator MAS117
Co-Sponsor:[/b] Senator Colin Wixted, Senator Supersoulty, Senator King

1.) Article 3, Section 2, Clause 6 is hereby removed from the Official Senate Procedural Resolution.

I'll co-sponsor this as well!

[MasterJedi]

Under the President's ability to introduce legislation, I present the DanielX Lacks a Sense of Humor Act of 2005:

WHEREAS, Senator DanielX of Wyoming has no sense of humor whatsoever.

WHEREAS, Senator DanielX entered Articles of Impeachment following what was clearly a joke.

WHEREAS, today is Tuesday.

The Senate declares that Senator DanielX of Wyoming be forced to spend at least an hour a day watching improvisational comedy at the Lander Center for Creative Arts in Lander, Wyoming.

I'll co-sponsor this!

[MasterJedi]

Supreme Court Adjustments of 2005

Section 1:  Article III, Section I, Clause II of the constitution will now read as follows:

The Supreme Court shall consist of five Justices who shall all be registered voters, one of whom shall be the Chief Justice. Justices shall hold their office during good behavior.

Section II:
This will take effect upon ratification by the regions, as specified in the constitution.

What is the rationale for having five justices?

Yes I cannot see any reason for this amendment. It is already hard enough to try to find three active people who are willing to be justices finding two more would just add more hassles.

I think he wants 2 more people who aren't in the FEC.

[MasterJedi]

This was written by Joe Republic again and I'm not for it or against it as of now so don't try to crucify me yet.

VOTING SYSTEM REFORM RESOLUTION

Preamble

Whereas, the current system of preferential voting used for federal elections has been called into question,

Whereas, there are several potential alternative systems that could be used instead,

The Senate hereby recognizes the need for a discussion on reforming the current system of voting.

Section 1 - Forming a Commission

1. The Administration and Senate will jointly form a Commission, that will address the issue of reforming the voting system.

2. The President will appoint the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Forum Affairs, and two Atlasian citizens who do not currently hold federal office, to join the Commission.

3. The President Pro Tempore (PPT) will appoint two senators (including himself if he wishes), and two Atlasian citizens who do not currently hold federal office (and are not the same citizens appointed by the President), to join the Commission.

4. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court will also be a member of the Commission.

4. The members of the Commission will decide among themselves who will chair the Commission, by any means they see fit.

Section 2 - The role of the Commission

1. The Commission will discuss any and all systems of voting that they feel would be appropriate for use in Atlasian federal elections, including the current system of preferential voting.

2. The Commission may conduct these discussions in any way that they see fit.

Section 3 - Report

1. Once the Commission has reached a conclusive decision that meets the approval of the majority of its members, the Chairman will report the findings to the Senate.  The report will state which system(s) of voting they recommend for use in Atlasian federal elections.

2. Once the Chairman has delivered his report, the Commission will disband.

[MasterJedi]

To continue on with some of my expansionist views here's this bill. I know some people will consider this a lowering of the qualitiy of bills but it isn't.

Atlasian Land Acquisition Act of 2005

1. After the passage of this bill Atlasia shall begin talks with Denmark for the purchase of Greenland.
2. After discussions with Denmark Atlasia shall agree to purchase Greenland for between $4,332,172-10,830,430.
3. If purchase occurs Greenland shall become a full territory of Atlasia, completely governed by its constitution and laws.

[MasterJedi]

Why would we want Greenland?  At least there turned out to be oil in Alaska, but there's nothing in Greenland but eskimos and polar bears.  We could rename it 'MasterJedi's Folly'!

The Polar Bear is a very endangered species, we must protect it!

[MasterJedi]

Written by President Seige40, introduced by me.


The Unification of Canada and Atlasia Act

Preamble

Whereas there is a significant number of Canadians, and others hailing from the Commonwealth

Whereas it was recently decided that the unification of Canada is acceptable to a plurality of the people of Atlasia

Whereas Atlasia would benefit by expanding its political frontiers

We hereby conclude to unite the nations of Atlasia and Canada.

Section 1 – Canada, The Region

1 – The ten provinces, and three territories that compromise the nation of Canada shall be reorganized to fit into the prescribed ten-state rule.

2 – The three territories will be consolidated into one state named the Arctic Atlasia Abbreviation of Arctic Atlasia will be AA.

3 – The provinces of New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island are to be consolidated together and named New Brunswick.

4 – The provinces and territories of Canada will from now on be referred to as states.

5 – The Region of Canada may preserve all the cultural institutions familiar to the Commonwealth of Canada. The national animal, national anthem, and in general symbols may remain, but will be identified as regional symbols.

6 – Canadian language laws will be respected, and not interfered with by any branch of the government of Atlasia. This includes French and English as official languages, and the particular spelling of words in comparison to the common American or Atlasian spelling, example colour versus color.

7 – The Region of Canada is free to establish itself in anyway it pleases. After entering the Republic of Atlasia, the Region is free to draft a constitution and hold elections, the Federal Government will allow the Canadians to continue to operate the parliamentary system and recognize the English Monarch as the head of state, but purely a figurehead in role. 

Section 2 – Inter-Relations and Mergers

1 – All of the Federal powers of the Canadian Government shall be transferred to the appropriate powers in Nyman, this includes military matters and foreign relations.

2 – The Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Army will be merged with the Atlasian Armed Forces. Particular names and traditions may be preserved.

3 – Under the Foreign Policy Review the Commonwealth of Canada is to be stricken from the record, the relation between Atlasia and Canada will follow that of the United States and Atlasia.

4 – The Game Moderator will act as events in Canada are a domestic concern to those living in Atlasia. The events of Ontario and the events of Alabama will have equal relevance and Canada, and Canadian will be treated as Atlasian citizens and no preference given.

Section 3 – Confirmation of the Act

1 – After passing the Senate, and pending approval of the President of the Republic, a referendum shall be held to confirm the popular mood of Atlasia in the unification. Specifics of the referendum are to be reached by the Senate and Secretary of Forum Affairs.

[MasterJedi]

Mssterjedi, just because you occupy Mike Naso's former seat in the Senate does not mean that you are allowed to propose bills that reach his level of inanity.

See even Seige wants it, and he's from Canada. Plus I have re-introduced good bills such as the National Parks and Wetlands Acts.

[MasterJedi]

Emsworth Statement: It doesn't say the Senate can't admit states though.

Texasgurl Question: It says near the end that the Canadains take a vote on it.

[MasterJedi]

I'm introducing this on behalf of Emsworth:

Pledge of Allegiance Act of 2005

§ 1.  The words "under God" shall cease to form a part of the pledge of allegiance of Atlasia.  The new pledge of allegiance shall read as follows:

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of Atlasia, and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all."

Questions and comments may be directed in his direction.

I always thought it was "under Dave" not "under God".

Yeah I thought that too, so it's really unecissary. And if it isn't, by God this better not pass!!!!!!!!!!!

[MasterJedi]

I see what Emsworth is saying but another reason not to pass it is that we can't have a Senator Gabu forever!

[MasterJedi]

Ok I'm on an environment thing I guess! It may be a little confusing so when it comes up I'll answer any questions.

Oh and Gabu, when this comes up for a vote put the first URL in "animals" for a link and the second URL in "plants" for a link, thanks because I don't know how to do it.


Species Act of 2005

1. Endangered/Threatened Species
   A. Atlasia hereby recognizes the Endangered/Threatened Species List of animals http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/TESSSpeciesReport  and plants http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/TESSSpeciesReport
   B. Any individual wanting to bring an endangered or threatened species into Atlasia shall have to purchase a license allowing them to own said species plus an additional fee of 100,000 dollars for each animal brought in. In addition each individual must have the space they plan to hold said species inspected and approved by a local zoological society.
   C. Any zoo or zoological society may freely bring endangered or threatened species into the US if they haven’t been cited for animal rights as long as they notify the government of Atlasia.
   D. If any endangered or threatened species said offender shall be fined 500,000 on the first offense, 1 million and 5 years in prison for the second offense and 2 million and 30 years in prison for the third offense. If the offender commits a fourth offense life in prison shall be enforced.
2. Invasive Species
   A. Atlasia hereby recognizes invasive species as a problem to the nation’s environment.
   B. An invasive species shall be known as any non-native plant or animal that disrupts or destroys the natural state of the environment.
   C. Only zoos or zoological societies shall be allowed to import invasive species into the US.
   D. Any private company or individual found bringing in an invasive species shall be fined 2 million dollars and serve 30 years in prison for the first offense. If a second offense occurs the offender fine shall double to 4 million and spend life in prison.
3. Species Tracker
   A. Atlasia’s Fish and Wildlife Service shall be required to create a computer system track the import and export of endangered, threatened and invasive species into and out of Atlasia.  In addition this system is required to keep on file the information of any previous offender.
   B. Any endangered, threatened or invasive species import or export must be reported the Atlasia’s Fish and Wildlife Service.
   C. Any individual, company, zoo or zoological society that currently has endangered, threatened or invasive species has two years to report all of said species to Atlasia’s Fish and Wildlife Service to be logged in the computer system.


Oh I know everybody knew this was coming.

Adding States Amendment
The following clause is added to Article IV, Section 2 of the Constitution:
6. The Senate may by law admit new States to the Republic of Atlasia. The Senate may apportion this State to a Region and a District via proper legislation; however, the State shall still be liable to all the provisions of this Section and Section 4 of this Article.

[MasterJedi]

Your such an imperialist Jedi.

I figured you'd show up eventually.