Pacific Council: Constitutional Protect Our Forests Act (Passed)

[Flake]

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Sponsor: PJ

[Cranberry]

I think a fine of $10,000 is far to small. Mostly big corporations will violate this law, and for them $10,000 are far to easy to afford, so it wouldn't deter them. I would support a fine in proportion to the size of the damaged land, maybe in accordance to the average prize you get for an acre of logged wood?

[DemPGH]

If you guys want to adjust the numbers or some of the details, I'm cool unless it becomes something very outrageous, but I support the concept and aim of this bill 100%.

[Flake]

I think a fine of $10,000 is far to small. Mostly big corporations will violate this law, and for them $10,000 are far to easy to afford, so it wouldn't deter them. I would support a fine in proportion to the size of the damaged land, maybe in accordance to the average prize you get for an acre of logged wood?

$10,000 per native tree.

[Cranberry]

Ok, thank you. This wasn't at first really clear, maybe you should put that already in the first section.
This I can and will support totally, however.

[Fed. Pac. Chairman Devin]

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Sponsor: PJ

Offering an amendment. Compulsory purchase is a violation of right to property.

[Cranberry]

I still support the original version over this amendment.
Whatever the fine, if one still possesses the same woodland, one can always damage it further.
Of course it limits the right to property, but we still need to protect nature, don't we?
And do violators of this law not violate the law? Thus needs punishment, which is not only a fine, but also the limitation of the right to property.

[Flake]

I think the amended version is much better, since a large part of the bill is unconstitutional.

[Fed. Pac. Chairman Devin]

Can we move the amendment to a vote?

[Flake]

Please vote Aye, Nay, or Abstain on the proposed Amendment.

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Sponsor: PJ

Offering an amendment. Compulsory purchase is a violation of right to property.

[Cranberry]

I do not support this new bill, but since the other one is unconstitutional, I'll abstain.

[Fed. Pac. Chairman Devin]

Aye

[Flake]

The Amendment passes, please vote on whether or not to let the act pass. Please vote Aye, Nay, or Abstain.

[Fed. Pac. Chairman Devin]

Aye

[Flake]

Aye

[Flake]

The vote passes 2-0-1.