Pacific Legislature Official Thread

[The Duke]

Here's where we vote on things.

[The Duke]

Debate is hereby opened on these four pieces of legislation.

Third Trimester Abortion Ban Act
Sponsor- Lt. Governor Hobbes

1. All abortions in the third trimester, except for cases of rape, incest, and the life of the mother, are hereby outlawed in the Pacific Region.

2. Any person who performs an illegal third trimester abortion will be sentenced to at least five years in prison.

3. Any mother seeking an illegal third trimester abortion shall be fined at least $50,000.

Protection of Commerce in Arms Bill
Sponsor- Vice President Emsworth

1. The manufacturer or seller of firearms or low-potency explosives shall not be held liable for death, physical injury, or property damage resulting from the use of said firearms or low-potency explosives.

2. Clause 1 of this section shall not apply where:

(a) Death, physical injury, or property damage is the direct result of a defect in the design or manufacture of the product;
(b) The seller negligently supplies the product to a person whom he knows, or reasonably should know, is likely to use said product in an unlawful manner involving unreasonable risk to others;
(c) The manufacturer or seller is an accessory to, or is otherwise unlawfully involved in, the relevant crime.

Affirmative Action Bill
Sponsor- Vice President Emsworth

1. For the purposes of this act, "affirmative action" is defined as granting special preference or other advantage in employment to individuals on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or economic status.

2. No agency of the government of the Pacific Region may use affirmative action in any decision relating to the selection, payment, treatment, or dismissal of any employee.

3. No public university of the Pacific Region may use affirmative action in any decision relating to the admission, treatment, or removal of any student.

Anti-Drug Testing Act
Sponsor- Vice President Emsworth

1. No public school may compel a student to submit to a drug test without probable cause.

2. No public school may make suspicionless or random drug testing a requirement for participation in any school activity.

[Emsworth]

Third Trimester Abortion Ban Act
Sponsor- Lt. Governor Hobbes
1. All abortions in the third trimester, except for cases of rape, incest, and the life of the mother, are hereby outlawed in the Pacific Region.

2. Any person who performs an illegal third trimester abortion will be sentenced to at least five years in prison.

3. Any mother seeking an illegal third trimester abortion shall be fined at least $50,000.

Clause 1: I think that the exceptions should include the health of the mother, not just life. If a last-minute serious complication develops, but it is just short of life-threatening, the mother should still be able to obtain an abortion. On the other hand, an exception for incest shouldn't be included here, as the woman has (a) performed the action in question voluntarily, and (b) had six whole months to decide to abort the baby.

I also strongly object to clause 3, which is in my opinion unduly harsh.

As to the rest of the bills: I support them wholeheartedly.

[The Duke]

Voting is open on two amendments.  The first will add protecting the health of the mother to the reasons for exemption from the abortion restriction law, the second will strike Section 3 from the abortion law.  Both amendments offerred by Emsworth.

Please vote now on each item independently.

[Platypus]

aye on oth amendments. I would also like to offer one, bringing the five year penalty in section 2. down to 18 months.

[JohnFKennedy]

Aye on both.

[Emsworth]

Aye on both.

[AkSaber]

No on both.

[Grad Students are the Worst]

Aye on both, although I want to see "health" interpreted very strictly.

[WMS]

Aye on both, although I want to see "health" interpreted very strictly.

The same.

[The Duke]

At just after 7pm, voting on the amendments will close and it will open on the other subsequently proposed amendments.

[The Duke]

Voting closed.  New text of the abortion bill.

Third Trimester Abortion Ban Act
Sponsor- Lt. Governor Hobbes

1. All abortions in the third trimester, except for cases of rape, incest, saving the life of the woman, and protecting the health of the woman, are hereby outlawed in the Pacific Region.

2. Any person who performs an illegal third trimester abortion will be sentenced to at least five years in prison.

We are now voting on:

1. Hugh's suggested amendment bringing the penalty for doctors down to 18 months in prison.

2. Emsworth's suggested amendment removing the incest exemption.

3. Alcon's and WMS's suggested amendment specifying the physical health of the mother be the only exemption under health, and not some loosely defined mental trauma. (I hope this wording fits their intent, if they object to this interpretation I'll shut down voting on this amendment).

[Platypus]

aye on the first two amendments, nay on the third

[Emsworth]

Aye on amendments 1 and 2; No on amendment 3.

[WMS]

We are now voting on:

3. Alcon's and WMS's suggested amendment specifying the physical health of the mother be the only exemption under health, and not some loosely defined mental trauma. (I hope this wording fits their intent, if they object to this interpretation I'll shut down voting on this amendment).

You would have to ask Alcon on that. Can I vote on the first two measures now and wait until Alcon clarifies matters to vote on the third measure?

[The Duke]

We are now voting on:

3. Alcon's and WMS's suggested amendment specifying the physical health of the mother be the only exemption under health, and not some loosely defined mental trauma. (I hope this wording fits their intent, if they object to this interpretation I'll shut down voting on this amendment).

You would have to ask Alcon on that. Can I vote on the first two measures now and wait until Alcon clarifies matters to vote on the third measure?

Yes

[Grad Students are the Worst]

I am no good at writing law, and I have no idea what the result of my doing so would be.  I'll leave the wording up to WMS and vote:

Aye
Aye

And whatever WMS votes on that item, if he thinks it is satisfactory, since we share a similar position on the issue.

[True Democrat]

Aye on the first one
Nay on the second and third

[AkSaber]

1. No
2. No
3. Aye

[WMS]

1. Aye.
2. Aye.
3. How about this? "No mental condition shall be acceptable as a reason for abortion unless certified by medical professionals that a failure to allow the abortion to proceed would cause severe mental trauma."

Yes, I'm sure it could be better written, but I'm not a lawyer.

Oh, and Aye on 3.

[Platypus]

def. nay on option three then. There are more 'mental conditions' then depression, you know.

[WMS]

def. nay on option three then. There are more 'mental conditions' then depression, you know.

'More mental conditions than depression'? Eh, what do ya mean by that?

[Platypus]

that some mental conditions are significantly bad for abortions granted on mental health to be acceptable.

[WMS]

that some mental conditions are significantly bad for abortions granted on mental health to be acceptable.

This is what happens when legislation is created in the middle of a vote on it! No proper debate!

[Platypus]

which is why people should vote nay.