IDS1: Legislature Size Adjustment Act

[Donerail]

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Sponsor: SJoyce

[Donerail]

This legislation would create a variable-sized legislature to create more interesting elections. Class A would contract to only one legislator when three or fewer candidates have declared their intentions to run, and three when four or more have declared (this is largely based on the Mideast law that implemented their variable-sized legislature, but due to our different classes I had to make it one or three to ensure an odd-numbered legislature). It would also ensure dynamic competition in the Class B seats by electing them from two different districts. I'm not entirely certain that this is the form of the bill that I want, so I'm open to all amendments.


Amendment is friendly.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     I wouldn't base it on declarations, considering that the last Class A election had one declared candidate and three write-ins. The situation on the ground was no different from having four declared candidates. I'd suggest basing it on the number of candidates who receive and accept votes.

[Donerail]

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This amendment incorporates Small L's and PiT's suggestions - 24 hours to object, otherwise it will be adopted.

[Supersonic]

I had to re-read this several times to get my head around it, but otherwise I do not object.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     I would also like to make the districts be redrawn periodically (yearly?), to account for changes in the distribution of population. Here is some language that I had written up on the matter. I am open to changing whatever the Legislators think should be changed.

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[Enderman]

I second PiT, it should be proportionated per population, per year. I support both amendments...

[Donerail]

     I would also like to make the districts be redrawn periodically (yearly?), to account for changes in the distribution of population. Here is some language that I had written up on the matter. I am open to changing whatever the Legislators think should be changed.

I like them being redrawn yearly, but I question whether we need to create another elected position to do so - maybe headed by the Emperor and two appointed by the Emperor and confirmed by the Legislature?

[Supersonic]

     I would also like to make the districts be redrawn periodically (yearly?), to account for changes in the distribution of population. Here is some language that I had written up on the matter. I am open to changing whatever the Legislators think should be changed.

I like them being redrawn yearly, but I question whether we need to create another elected position to do so - maybe headed by the Emperor and two appointed by the Emperor and confirmed by the Legislature?

This sounds like an awful lot of bureaucracy, the need for elections merely for the drawing of districts just sounds like hassle that we don't need to be dealing with. I would prefer an appointed system as suggested by SJoyce.

[Donerail]

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Previous amendment has been adopted. 24 hours for objections to the new amendment.

[Supersonic]

No objection.

[Enderman]

No objection.

[Donerail]

Are we ready for a final vote here?

[Supersonic]

Indeed. I move for a final vote.

[Donerail]

We do have a 72-hour minimum debate time, but I'll begin the 24 hours now to wait for objections to a final vote.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     That sounds good. I suggested elections to promote ideological variety on the commission, but I think this amendment will do that about as well.

[Donerail]

Seeing no objections, a final vote is now in order on the Legislature Size Adjustment Act.


Aye.

[Enderman]

AYE

[Donerail]

This bill has enough votes to pass. 48 hours to change votes (or add votes).

[Supersonic]

Aye.

[Donerail]

With a vote of 4-0 with 1 not voting, this bill has passed the Legislature and is presented to the Emperor for his signature or veto.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     On the Legislature Size Adjustment Act: by the powers vested in me as Emperor of this region, I thus sign it into law.

     Be it resolved, X Emperor PiT

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

This bill confuses me.  Are all candidates for Legislature going to run in districts?  I'm not sure if the first draft of the bill was written out by the last amendment.

[Donerail]

This bill confuses me.  Are all candidates for Legislature going to run in districts?  I'm not sure if the first draft of the bill was written out by the last amendment.

No, only Class B will run in districts. Class A are still at-large.

[Supersonic]

So I was looking at this bill again, and am I correct in asserting that we passed the bill without the districts specified?

Hmm, it seems that way. The initial bill specified the following..

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.. but that wasn't included in the final draft as that was exchanged for the appointment system. Thus I imagine that new boundaries will be established quite soon. Class B isn't up until February I believe.