Southern Legislation Introduction Thread - 2018

[Mr. Reactionary]

Naval Infrastructure Spending Act

1.) There shall be a tax levied on ship and barge fuel sold in the Southern Region of $AMOUNT$ deposited directly into the Naval Infrastructure Trust Fund.

2.) There shall be a special tax annually levied on yachts harbored in the Southern Region of $AMOUNT$ deposited directly into the Naval Infrastructure Trust Fund.

3.) The proceeds of the sale of any public sand acquired during dredging shall be deposited directly into the Naval Infrastructure Trust Fund.

4.) There shall be created a Naval Infrastructure Review Board consisting of 12 NPCs appointed by the Governor, who shall study existing naval infrastructure in Southern Region and release a list of all such infrastructure sub-divided into 3 categories: "Major Concern", "Moderate Concern", and "Low Concern". "Major Concern" means the infrastructure is in immediate need of repair, "Moderate Concern" means the infrastructure needs repair in the near future, and "Low Concern" means the infrastructure is in good condition. Naval Infrastructure is hereby defined as ports, harbors, LNG Terminals, Beacons, Lighthouses

5.) $AMOUNT$ is hereby appropriated for the purpose of repairing or replacing

[Mr. Reactionary]

Construction Statute of Repose

Be it enacted:

1.) No action to recover for any injury to property, real or personal, or for bodily injury or wrongful death, arising out of the defective and unsafe condition of an improvement to real property, nor any action for contribution or indemnity for damages sustained as a result of such injury, shall be brought against any person performing or furnishing the design, planning, surveying, supervision of construction, or construction of such improvement to real property more than five years after the performance or furnishing of such services and construction.

2.) The limitation prescribed in this section shall not apply to the manufacturer or supplier of any equipment or machinery or other articles installed in a structure upon real property, nor to any person in actual possession and in control of the improvement as owner, tenant or otherwise at the time the defective or unsafe condition of such improvement constitutes the proximate cause of the injury or damage for which the action is brought; rather each such action shall be brought within the time next after such injury occurs.

[Mr. Reactionary]

Drivers License Suspension Act

Be it enacted:

1.) A criminal conviction for possession of illegal drugs unrelated to driving while intoxicated shall not be punishable by suspension of driving privileges.

[Mr. Reactionary]

Rules of Evidence Adoption Act

1.) The 2015 Federal Rules of Evidence is hereby adopted by reference with the following exceptions:

a.) Anything which conflicts with the Tort Reform Act of 2017

b.) Anything which conflicts with principles of equity

c.) Proposed Rules 501 - 513 on Privileged information shall be included.

2.)  These rules shall not apply to Administrative Law adjudications or arbitration hearings.

Full text found here: http://www.law.harvard.edu/publications/evidenceiii/rules.htm

[Mr. Reactionary]

Revenge Porn Curtailment Act

1.) For the purposes of this act, “revenge porn” shall be defined as sexually explicit photos or recordings of a person that the subject has not consented to share with the general public.

2.) Any person in the Southern Region who distributes “revenge porn” with the intent to harrass or embarrass the subject or a person known by the subject shall be guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor.

3.) Any person in the Southern Region who is the subject of revenge porn, may maintain a lawsuit in a Southern Court of general jurisdiction for the purposes of enjoining the distribution of revenge porn featuring the subject.

[Mr. Reactionary]

Uniform Rule Against Perpetuities Adoption Act

1.) The 1990 Edition of the Uniform Statutory Rule Against Perpetuities is hereby adopted by reference.

Text available here: http://www.uniformlaws.org/Act.aspx?title=Statutory%20Rule%20Against%20Perpetuities



Summary: This is another model rule that eliminates legal issues related to the length of conditions imposed on land transactions. Figuring it out can be a nightmare, and this model rule will help everyone.

[Mr. Reactionary]

More Obsolete Crimes Deletion Act

Be it enacted

1.) Any State or local law in the Southern Region prohibiting the following activities is hereby repealed:

a) Using an elephant to plow cotton fields

b) Being tattooed

c) Dwarf Tossing

d) Wrestling a bear

e) Stocking a vending machine with non-latex condoms

f) Parachuting out of an airplane on Sundays

g) Carrying a firearm or weapon into a church

h) Hunting with a ferret

i) Inhaling noxious chemicals without a permit or license

j) Advertising drink discounts and specials

2.) No locality may require a special use permit to represent oneself as a fortune teller

3.) The Collaborative Regional Symbols Act is hereby repealed

4.) The West Virginia tax on soft drinks and soft drink syrup is hereby repealed.

[FairBol]

Just in case we need this.  

Continuing Appropriations Act of 2018

IN THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES

Mr. FairBol, for himself, introduces

A BILL

To keep the Southern government funded through June of 2018.

Be it enacted by the House of Delegates:

SEC. I - BILL DESIGNATION

 A. The provisions of this section shall be known and cited as the "Continuing Appropriations Act of 2018".  

SEC. II - GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS

 A. For the period beginning in April 2018 and ending in June 2018, all government departments shall be funded at the levels indicated in the previous budget.  

SEC. III - EFFECTIVE DATE

 A. This bill shall be enacted into law when passed by the House of Delegates, and signed by the Governor.  

  Bill proposed this twentieth day of April, in the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Eighteen.

[FairBol]

(A representative of the Governor enters the Chamber)

GOVERNOR'S REP: I hereby lay before the Chamber a communication and executive order from the Governor.  :: hands a document to the Clerk, then exits stage left ::

CHAMBER CLERK:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

(Note: I figured Beamer's birthday was too close to Thanksgiving to be a regional holiday, so I went with the date of his marriage instead)

[Classic Conservative]

Thank you, Mr. Governor, but do you want us to pass legislation on this matter? Just wondering.

[FairBol]

I'm not sure what the correct procedure would be on that.  I think I have the authority to designate regional holidays by executive order, but I'd have to defer to parliamentary procedure regarding this. 

[FairBol]

I've done some research on executive orders, and it seems that I have erred in terms of procedure.  According to my research, the proper form of my order is not an executive order, but a proclamation. 

"The difference between (an executive order and a proclamation) is that executive orders are aimed at those inside government, while proclamations are aimed at those outside government" (Wikipedia)

According to further research, a proclamation can "designate special observances or celebrate...holidays" (Wikipedia).  Such directives appear to not have the force of law, meaning they must be approved by the legislative branch.  As such, please consider my order to be a governor's proclamation, rather than an executive order.  And to answer your question, Mr. Speaker....yes, this is now filed as an action for the Chamber's consideration.

[Classic Conservative]

Recall Act

1) Upon resignation or recall of a member or his failure to swear-in, the Governor of the South Region, or his appointed deputy at a time of vacancy, may appoint a new delegate, regardless of his political affiliation.

2) Any contrary laws or regulations are hereby repealed.

3) This law is effective immediately upon signature.

[FairBol]

Southern Budget Act of 2018

IN THE CHAMBER OF DELEGATES

Governor FairBol, on behalf of the people of the Southern Region, introduces

A BILL

To fund essential programs and services of the Southern Government, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Chamber of Delegates:

SEC. I - BILL DESIGNATION

 A. The provisions of this section shall be known and cited as the "Southern Budget Act of 2018".  


SEC. II - GENERAL SPENDING AND APPROPRIATIONS

 A. For the fiscal period beginning in June 2018, the departments of the South Government shall be funded at the following levels:

• Pensions

Base: $65.00 billion
Total: $65.00 billion (100%)

• Healthcare

Base: $200.55 billion
Total: $193.53 billion (96.5%)

• Education

Base: $115.00 billion
Total: $115.00 billion (100%)

• Defense

Base: $0.80 billion
Total: $0.80 billion (100%)

• Welfare

Base: $38.39 billion
Total: $38.39 billion (100%)

• Protection/Security

Base: $25.47 billion
Total: $25.09 billion (98.5%)

• Transportation

Base: $30.20 billion
Total: $30.20 billion (100%)

• General Government

Base: $15.50 billion
Total: $14.96 billion (96.5%)

• Other/Discretionary

Base: $65.92 billion
Total: $63.61 billion (99.4%)

Total Regional Spending: $566.68 billion


SEC. III - TAXATION AND REVENUE

 A. For the fiscal period beginning in June 2018, taxes and collected revenue shall be as follows:

• Income Tax

Base: $13.60 billion
Total: $19.04 billion (4% tax)

• Social Security Tax

Base: $204.38 billion
Total: $204.38 billion (0% tax)

• Additional/Ad-Valorem Tax

Base: $277.41 billion
Excise/Marijuana Tax: 20.0% ($3.70 billion per year)
Total: $283.71 billion

• Fees and Charges

Base: $82.25 billion
Total: $82.25 billion (0% tax)

• Business and Other Revenue

Base: $57.84 billion
Total: $57.84 billion (0% tax)

Total Regional Revenue: $647.22 billion

Balance: +$80.54 billion


SEC. IV - EFFECTIVE DATE

 A. This bill shall be enacted into law when passed by the House of Delegates, and signed by the Governor.  

  Bill proposed this seventeenth day of May, in the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Eighteen.

[FairBol]

Protecting Our Region's Flag (PORF) Act of 2018

IN THE CHAMBER OF DELEGATES

Governor FairBol, on behalf of the people of the Southern Region, introduces

A BILL

To prohibit desecration of the South Regional Flag.

Be it enacted by the Chamber of Delegates:

SEC. I - BILL DESIGNATION

A. The provisions of this section shall be known and cited as the "Protecting Our Region's Flag (PORF) Act of 2018".  


SEC. II - CRIMINAL DESECRATION

A. Whoever knowingly mutilates, defaces, physically defiles, or burns any flag of the South Region shall be fined under this title, imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.

B. Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting any conduct consisting of the disposal of a flag when it has become worn or soiled.

C. As used in this section, the term "flag of the South Region" means any flag of the South Region, or any part thereof, made of any substance, of any size, in a form that is commonly displayed.

D. Nothing in this section shall be construed as indicating an intent on the part of the Southern Government to deprive any State of jurisdiction over any offense over which it would have jurisdiction in the absence of this section.

SEC. III - EFFECTIVE DATE

 A. This bill shall be enacted into law when passed by the House of Delegates, and signed by the Governor.  

  Bill proposed this eighteenth day of May, in the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Eighteen.

[TheSaint250]

Regional History and Government Testing Act

Be it enacted:

1.) Upon the completion of a United States history or government high school class not currently coinciding with a nationally administered exam, students are required to complete a test based on the curriculum of the class’s subject matter.

2.) A committee made up of representatives from each Southern state chosen by each state’s education board shall be responsible for the creation and administering of the test each year.

[TheSaint250]

Survey Examining Election Safety Act

Be it enacted:

1.) The Southern Department of Elections shall submit a survey detailing all relevant security measures in regards to voting machines and voter registration.

   1a.) The survey must be detailed in explaining possible vulnerabilities and areas where the   reliability of information or votes could be compromised.

2.) Upon its completion, the survey shall be presented to the Chamber of Delegates for review.

[TheSaint250]

Resolution Recognizing the Armenian Genocide

Be it enacted:

1.) The Southern Region recognizes that the Ottoman Empire ruthlessly killed 1.5 million ethnic Armenians from 1914 to 1923 in an atrocity commonly labeled the "Armenian Genocide."

2.) The Southern Region condemns the official stance of the Republic of Turkey that the above event is not considered a genocide.

[TheSaint250]

Firearms Reform Act

Be it enacted:

1. All persons in the South who attempt to purchase a firearm must complete an application prior to purchasing.

     1a. The application must include, at the minimum:

          a. Full legal name

          b. Address of permanent residence

          c. Criminal history

          d. Mental health history

          e. Past gun history (“Have you purchased a firearm before?” “Do you currently own a firearm?”)

     1b. The application must be completed and returned to the seller a maximum of ten days upon being received.

2. The seller must submit the application for verification.

     2a. If verified, the prospective buyer is permitted to purchase the firearm.

     2b. If denied on the basis of false information, the prospective buyer is not permitted to purchase the firearm.

3. Upon purchasing, the seller must submit the full legal name and address of the buyer, as well as all relevant information about the firearm purchased, to the Southern Firearms Registry (see Section 4).

4. The Southern Firearms Registry is hereby established and shall keep records of firearms purchases in the South.

5. The sale and usage of bump stocks are hereby prohibited.

[FairBol]

Just in case you guys missed it, check this. 

Also, I have reluctantly vetoed the Regional History and Government Testing Act. 

[TheSaint250]

Sex Education Reform Act

Be it enacted:

1.) $14 million shall be distributed to local school boards across the South to fund better sex education in high schools.

2.) The course must include, but is not limited to, instruction on:
     a. Sexually transmitted diseases
     b. Age of consent
     c. Sexual harassment and assault

[TheSaint250]

Recycling Awareness in Schools Act

Be it enacted:

1.) Every school funded by the Region of the South must have one recycling bin per garbage bin with the property, including in, but not limited to, classrooms and eating areas.

2.) Schools must spread awareness about recycling and the presence of recycling cans on campus.

[TheSaint250]

Officer Training for School Shootings Act

Be it enacted:

1.) $75 million shall be distributed to local police departments throughout the South to train officers on how to respond to shootings on school campuses.

2.) Officers must spend the equivalent of two weeks per six months on instruction with a focus on the school situation in how to, but not limited to, complete the following if necessary:
     a. Hostage and surrendering negotiations
     b. Setting up appropriate barriers
     c. Assisting students escape
     d. How to properly raid

3.) Commanding officers must be familiar with the basic schematics of each school in the officers’ localities.

[FairBol]

A brief statement from the governor. 

[FairBol]

Student Rights Regarding Search And Seizure Act of 2018

IN THE CHAMBER OF DELEGATES

Governor FairBol, on behalf of the people of the Southern Region, introduces

A BILL

To protect student rights regarding official searches and seizures.

Be it enacted by the Chamber of Delegates:

SEC. I - BILL DESIGNATION

A. The provisions of this section shall be known and cited as the "Student Rights Regarding Search And Seizure Act of 2018".  


SEC. II - CONSENT TO SEARCH

A. Upon reasonable suspicion of criminal activity, any educational personnel may request consent to search any student's belongings and/or property. 

B. The student that would be searched may, if they see fit, refuse consent to any such search.  Such a refusal is not to be construed as insubordination.

C. The taking of any disciplinary action by any educational official, as a response to refusal of consent to a request to search, is hereby prohibited. 

D. Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the right of an educational official to acquire a warrant for any search, or to search when a warrant is possessed. 

E. Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting "probable cause" based searches. 


SEC. III - EFFECTIVE DATE

 A. This bill shall be enacted into law when passed by the House of Delegates, and signed by the Governor.  

  Bill proposed this eighteenth day of June, in the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Eighteen.