Legislation Introduction Thread

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The Atlasian Mountaintop Removal Ban Act

Section 1.)
The Senate of Atlasia hereby acknowledges:

• That mountaintop removal is considered an 'extreme form' of mining that should be replaced by alternative means of energy production
• That mountaintop removal hurts biodiversity
• That mountaintop removal reduces workers
• That mountaintop removal is a threat to the public health
• That mountaintop removal is detrimental to the citizens of mountains which are affected

Section 2.)
The Atlasian government shall not distribute any permits to coal-mining industries whose practices would result in the topographical alteration and/or removal of a summit, summit ridge, or significant portion of a mountain, hill, or ridge.

Section 3.)
Mining industries that partake in this practice will be fined at a maximum of $2,000,000.  The final amount shall be determined in a court of law.

Section 4.)
The appropriate funds shall be allocated for enforcement of this bill.

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The Fair Compliance Amendment

Article I, Section VI of The Atlasian Constitution is amended to read:
The Senate shall make no law that applies to the citizens of Atlasia that does not apply equally to the Senators and/or Regional officers; and, the Senate shall make no law that applies to the Senators and/or Regional officers that does not apply equally to the citizens of Atlasia.

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Introducing on behalf of the administration -

The Homeowners Protection Bill:

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I would like to sponsor this bill in Oakvale's absence.

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The Swearing In Made Easy Act

1.  The "Swearing in of New Officeholders" thread shall be stickied on the Atlas Fantasy Government Board

PMing Gustaf might be just as effective, though.

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WITHDRAWN

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A BILL

To curb wasteful spending by making 50 percent of year-end savings in salaries and expenses available for an additional fiscal year, and to use the remaining 50 percent for the purpose of deficit reduction.

Be it enacted by the Senate of the Republic of Atlasia assembled.

SECTION 1. TITLE

This act may be cited as the ‘Saving Over Spending Act of 2012.’

SECTION 2. FINDINGS

The Senate hereby finds and declares that

1.) A 1980 report by the Senate Committee on Government Affairs found that “spending at year-end may be the result of legitimate, planned, and worthwhile spending intended by the Senate…the Subcommittee (on Oversight of Government Management) found numerous examples in which agencies took short cuts in the last few weeks of the fiscal year that led to questionable contracts” and that “hurry-up procurement practices resulted in the purchase of millions of dollars worth of goods and services for which there was no demonstrated current need.”

SECTION 3. EXTENSION OF AVAILABILITY OF YEAR-END SAVINGS IN SALARIES AND EXPENSES.

1.) 50 percent of an unobligated balance available for salaries and expenses that would otherwise expire at the end of a fiscal year shall remain available for expenditure for the subsequent fiscal year, and 50 percent shall be used for the purpose of deficit reduction on return to the general fund of the Treasury.  Unobligated balances carried forward to a subsequent fiscal year under this subsection may not be taken into account in determining the amount by which an agency will be funded for such subsequent fiscal year.

2.) The Game Moderator will be responsible for oversight and reporting how much money which is saved by this legislation is allocated toward the deficit per year.

3.) This act shall go into effect at the start of the next fiscal year.

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A BILL

To provide assistance and temporary housing for pets that are evicted from their homes on account of financial struggles.

Be it enacted by the Senate of the Republic of Atlasia assembled.

SECTION 1. TITLE

This act may be cited as the 'Care For Homeless Pets Act of 2012.'

SECTION 2. FINDINGS

The Senate hereby finds and declares that

1.) Due to rising homelessness and foreclosures across the county, Atlasia’s pet owners have been forced to abandon their pets.

2.) Pets that are faced with abandonment are often found on the brink of death or with failing health conditions including, but not limited to, starvation or kidney failure after being locked in an abandoned home or left to fend for themselves without shelter.

SECTION 3. PROGRAM

1.) Pet owners that are faced with foreclosures or homelessness and are unable to continue to care for their pets will have the option to enter their pet into the Animal Temporary Housing Program (ANTHP).

SECTION 4. ELIGIBILITY

1.) Shelter eligibility/grant distribution for the ANTHP will be set as follows:

2.) The shelter must be municipal, state, or government run in order to be eligible for benefits of the ANTHP.

3.) Shelters that participate in the ANTHP will receive grants based on the foreclosure and homelessness rate in the area, as well as the number of shelters in the vicinity that participate in the program.  Grants will range from $500-$2,000 annually based on these factors.

SECTION 5. FUNDING

1.) Money for the ANTHP will be collected as follows:

2.) $10 million in starting funds will be allocated from the federal budget.

3.) A “Patriots for Pets” fund will be started that will ask for funds from the general public.  The amount given from each donor will be deducted from participating donors’ taxes.  The program shall take effect only after the government accumulates an additional $20 million via donations.

SECTION 6. GUIDELINES

1.) Guidelines for the ANTHP will be set as follows:

2.) Shelters covered by the program will shelter animals for three months. Pets from the same family will be housed in the same shelters, if possible.

3.) During the three month period, the family of the animal/s being sheltered will be given the option to either have the animal/s displayed for adoption, or not to.

4.) If at any time during the three months the family becomes financially stable or wishes to reclaim their pet for any reason, they may do so.

5.) At the end of the three month period, the family may choose to reclaim the pet/s or give full custody of the pet/s to the shelter to display for adoption.  The shelter may not euthanize any animals it has ownership of.

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AN AMENDMENT

To reform the position of the Vice President of the Republic of Atlasia by assigning most duties of Senator to it.

Be it enacted by the two-thirds of the Senate of the Republic of Atlasia assembled.

SECTION 1. TITLE

This act may be cited as 'The Vice Presidential Reform Act of 2012.'

SECTION 2. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

Article 1, section 1, subsection 3 of the Constitution is amended to read:

The Vice President of the Republic of Atlasia shall be the President of the Senate, and considered a regular voting member of the body thereof, but may not assume the position of Dean or President Pro-Tempore, and is prohibited from serving on legislative committees.

SECTION 3. EFFECTIVENESS

This legislation shall be applicable on the first day of the next executive term.

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AN AMENDMENT

Article II, Section 2, subsection 2 of the Constitution shall be amended to read:

1) The President and Vice President shall be chosen by the people through direct election without the intercession of Electors. The official certified results of the several Regions shall be confirmed and certified by the Department of Federal Elections.

2) Ballots shall provide a method for Citizens to rank Their choices. Should no one candidate win a majority of votes, the candidate with the least number of votes shall be disqualified and his voters' ballots Recounted using their Next named choice. This Process shall continue until a Candidate receives a majority.

3) These provisions shall take effect with the next general elections.

X Senator Scott

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A RESOLUTION

To create a Standing Committee for the tasks of overseeing the administration of justice within the judiciary system, reviewing statutes and legal framework of the Republic of Atlasia, investigating and hearing impeachments, among other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate of the Republic of Atlasia assembled.

SECTION 1. TITLE

This act may be cited as the ‘Senate Committee on the Judiciary Creation Resolution.’

SECTION 2. DESCRIPTION

This resolution shall create the Senate Committee on the Judiciary as a special committee of the Senate tasked with the duties of overseeing the administration of justice in the nation’s legal system and have jurisdiction over-

• Federal courts and judges, and local courts in the Territories and possessions
• Impeachment hearings
• Constitutional amendments
• Immigration policy
• Criminal and civil law enforcement
• National penitentiaries
• Patents, the Patent and Trademark Office, copyrights, and trademarks
• Protection of trade and commerce against unlawful restraints and monopolies
• State and territorial boundary lines

SECTION 3. MEMBERSHIP

1.) The President of the Senate shall open nominations for committee membership at the start of each session, for a period of seventy-two hours.  The Senate shall then select three of the nominees to serve on the Committee.

2.) Once selected, the Committee members shall select the Chairman from amongst themselves. The Chairman shall open the thread and preside over all hearings and functions of the Committee.

3.) The Chairman may be replaced by the President of the Senate, if he has been absent longer than a week.  If the Chairman takes an announced leave of absence, the replacement shall only serve until the Senator's return.

4.) If a member of the committee resigns his position on the committee, or leaves the Senate, the full Senate shall select a replacement.

5.) Consideration for bills and hearings/proceedings may only occur in the committee for a maximum of seven days before being forwarded to the Senate.

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AN AMENDMENT

To protect Atlasian citizens from compulsory conscription by requiring four-fiths approval of the Senate for its enactment.

Be it enacted by 2/3 of the Senate of the Republic of Atlasia assembled.

SECTION 1. TITLE

This act may be cited as the 'Protection From Military Slavery Amendment.’

SECTION 2. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

Neither shall the Republic of Atlasia nor any of its constituent regions enforce compulsory conscription upon any citizen, without the consent of four-fifths of the Senate.

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I'm probably going to add sections to this bill over time, but for now-

A BILL

To promote and incentivize job growth in the Republic of Atlasia.

Be it enacted by the Senate of the Republic of Atlasia assembled.

SECTION 1. TITLE

This act may be cited as the ‘Jobs Now Act of 2012.’

SECTION 2. HIRING INCENTIVES ACT RENEWAL

1.) The effects of the Hiring Incentives Act are hereby renewed for one year after passage of this legislation.

SECTION 3. VOLUNTARY WORK HOUR AND PAY CUT COMPENSATION

1.) Employers of businesses with 20 employees or more will be allowed to give each worker the option of cutting their work hours by 10%, or their salaries by 10%.

2.) Employees who take either option will be subsidized 60% of lost income.

3.) This section shall be in effect for one year after passage.

SECTION 4. WHITE ROOFTOP INCENTIVES FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATELY OWNED BUILDINGS

1.) All local, state, and regional administrative officials will be subsidized 25% for the hiring of construction workers to paint black rooftops of government buildings the color white.

2.) All individuals, households, and business owners will be subsidized 25% for the hiring of construction workers to paint black rooftops of houses and businesses white.

SECTION 5. REGIONAL PUBLIC BANKING SYSTEM

1.) All regions of the Republic of Atlasia are bestowed the option of creating individual state-owned banks, which will be funded by the federal government per request of each region.

2.) Regional banks will be delegated with the duties
    To assist local banks with capital and liquidity requirements
    To provide loans & loan guarantees
    To provide assistance to borrowers in areas of job retention
    To provide assistance to borrowers in technology creation
    To provide assistance to small businesses and businesses of retail, and
    To participate in community service projects

3.) All revenues collected by each region shall be deposited in their respective banks.

4.) Funds that are deposited in a regional bank shall not transmit services to other regions or countries unless funds are prescribed to via a budget item of the region in control of the bank.

5.) 35% of a bank's earnings will be remitted to the region's Treasury.  If a treasury is not in place, the region will be responsible for establishing one.

6.) A regional bank will be responsible for keeping a record of all transactions and writing summaries which shall convey expectation and outlook of growth and inflation over each upcoming year.  The region's Treasury will be designated with the responsibility of annually checking the bank for organization of these records and efficiency in management.

7.) No individual, co-partnership, or corporation shall be permitted to subscribe for or to hold at any time more than $25,000 par value of stock in a regional bank.

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Introducing on behalf of the administration-

AN AMENDMENT

To ensure the equal protection of all genders n the Republic of Atlasia.

Be it enacted by 2/3 of the Senate of the Republic of Atlasia.

SECTION ONE. TITLE

This amendment may be cited as the 'Equal Rights Amendment.'

SECTION TWO. AMENDMENT

1.) Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by Atlasia or by any Region on account of sex or sexual orientation towards adults.

2.) The Senate shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.

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National University and General Education Reform bill
Section One: National University System
1.   $35 million shall be appropriated per each region for the construction of a federally-operated university.
2.   $15 million shall be appropriated per each region for the hiring of faculty and accommodating the local community.
3.   Each regional government shall submit a location of economic distress or decline that would benefit from the presence of a strong university campus to the Secretary of Internal Affairs, who can approve or deny the location.
4.   If a regional government does not offer a location, these funds will be offered to another region to choose a location.
5.   The addition of future campuses shall be made possible at the request of the Secretary of Internal Affairs and approved by majority vote of the Government Oversight and Reform Committee.

Section Two: Repeal of Tuition Tax
1.   The tuition tax established in Section 6 of the ‘Education Reform Act of 2007’ is hereby repealed.

Section Three: Additional Regulations and Reforms
1.   A 50% tax shall be placed on all revenue a college or university receives from tuition or fees.
2.   This tax shall be waived should a college or university’s student population have 5% or greater receiving federal student loan assistance.
3.   $2 billion shall be distributed among the regions by the Secretary of Internal Affairs for the purpose of adding more vocational and career training courses to local community colleges.

Section Four: Secondary School Reform and Assistance
1.   $1 billion shall be distributed among the regions by the Secretary of Internal Affairs for the purpose of adding more arts and culture courses to secondary schools.
2.   $1 billion shall be distributed among the regions by the Secretary of Internal Affairs for the purpose of adding more vocational and career training courses to secondary schools.

May I sign on as a cosponsor?

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A BILL

To establish an official seal for the Republic of Atlasia

Be it enacted by the Senate of the Republic of Atlasia assembled.

SECTION 1. TITLE

This legislation may be cited as the ‘Atlasian Seal Act of 2012.’

SECTION 2. SEAL DESIGN

1.   The official Seal of the Republic of Atlasia shall appear as the following:

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A RESOLUTION

To create a Standing Committee for the tasks of cooperating with the Secretary of Internal Affairs on issues that are related to education, finance, the public health, and other matters.

Be it enacted by the Senate of the Republic of Atlasia assembled.

SECTION 1. TITLE

This legislation may be cited as the ‘Senate Committee on Internal Affairs Creation Resolution .’

SECTION 2. DESCRIPTION

This resolution shall create the Senate Committee on the Internal Affairs as a special committee of the Senate tasked with the duties of coordinating with the Secretary of Internal Affairs on matters that relate to:

• Education, schools, and teachers
• Oversight and jurisdiction of banks, both public and private
• Currency
• The public health, including health insurance policy and health-related standards
• Environmental protection and regulation
• Welfare
• Housing
• Taxation
• Indian affairs
• Budgetary concerns
• Coordination between all branches of the Federal government including members of the President’s cabinet

SECTION 3. MEMBERSHIP

1.) The President of the Senate shall open nominations for committee membership at the start of each session, for a period of seventy-two hours.  The Senate shall then select three of the nominees to serve on the Committee.

2.) Once selected, the Committee members shall select the Chairman from amongst themselves. The Chairman shall open the thread and preside over all hearings and functions of the Committee.

3.) The Chairman may be replaced by the President of the Senate, if he has been absent longer than a week.  If the Chairman takes an announced leave of absence, the replacement shall only serve until the Senator's return.

4.) If a member of the committee resigns his position on the committee, or leaves the Senate, the full Senate shall select a replacement.

5.) Consideration for bills and hearings/proceedings may only occur in the committee for a maximum of seven days before being forwarded to the Senate.

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A BILL

To provide a path to citizenship for offsprings of undocumented migrants

Be it enacted by the Senate of the Republic of Atlasia assembled.

SECTION 1. TITLE

This legislation may be cited as the ‘Development, Relief, and Education Act for Alien Minors’ or the ‘DREAM Act.’

SECTION 2. PERMANENT RESIDENCY FOR ALIEN MINORS

Undocumented migrants below the age of eighteen that arrive to the United States will be afforded permanent residency status, provided that the following standards are met:

• The undocumented migrant lacks a criminal record or any recorded history of juvenile acts
• The undocumented migrant undergoes security and background checks
• The undocumented migrant undergoes a medical examination and submits biometric information
• The undocumented migrant graduates from an Atlasian high school with a minimum GPA of 3.10 and without any history of suspensions or expulsions
• The undocumented migrant demonstrates the ability to read, write, and speak English and demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of the history, principles, and form of government of the Republic of Atlasia
  
• The undocumented migrant serves a period of at least two years in the Atlasian military and, if discharged, receives an honorary discharge, or completes four years at an institution of higher learning
• The undocumented migrant lives in the Republic of Atlasia at least five years prior to the enactment of this legislation

SECTION 3. RESTRICTIONS

1.) Citizenship status possibilities will be revoked from any undocumented migrant who has done the following:

• Has committed one felony or three misdemeanors
• Is likely to become a public charge
• Has engaged in voter fraud or unlawful voting
• Has committed marriage fraud
• Has abused a student visa
• Has engaged in persecution, or;
• Poses a public health risk

2.) Undocumented migrants that are guilty of the previously mentioned activities may be subject to deportation or detainment.  Penalties shall be determined in a court of law.

SECTION 4. IMPLEMENTATION

$25 billion will be allocated to the Department of Internal Affairs for implementation of this law.[/list][/list]

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Alas, my final bill to the Senate.

I will no longer be in office by the time this comes to the floor, so maybe another Senator (or future Northeast Senator) could sponsor this, instead.

A BILL

To save Senate time by moving committee selection dates to the start of each lame duck session.

Be it enacted by the Senate of the Republic of Atlasia assembled.

SECTION 1. TITLE

This legislation may be cited as the ‘Get It Over With Act.’

SECTION 2. DEFINITION

‘Lame duck session’ shall be defined as the period between the end of a Federal election (not including special elections) and the day of which new a new Senate session begins.

SECTION 3. COMMITTEE SELECTION TIME REVISIONS

1.)   The Senate Committee on National Security Creation Resolution is hereby amended:

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2.)   The Omnibus Miscellaneous Government Oversight and Reform Committee Resolution is hereby amended:

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3.)   The Senate Committee on the Judiciary Creation Resolution is hereby amended:

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4.)   The Senate Committee on Internal Affairs Creation Resolution is hereby amended:

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SECTION 4. EFFECTIVENESS

This legislation shall go into effect at the start of the next lame duck session.

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Haha, thanks, Yankee.

I will hand sponsorship over to Ben when I leave office.

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I urge a Senator (preferably our NE Senator) to sponsor this immediately.  We desperately need Federal assistance, as regional efforts to repair the Northeast after our disastrous hurricane simply aren't enough.

A BILL

To direct resources and funds to all areas affected by the recent Hurricane Sandy.

SECTION ONE. TITLE

This legislation may be cited as the 'Natural Disaster Relief Act of 2012.'

SECTION TWO. APPROPRIATIONS

1.) $5 billion shall be set aside for repair and restoration of infrastructure that was damaged by Hurricane Sandy. This money shall also be available to provide aid to individuals and families hurt by the storm including supplementation of food, medicine, medical care, temporary housing or other forms of aid as shall be designated by regional and local disaster relief officials.

2.) $2 billion shall be set aside for infrastructure enhancements to help prevent future hurricane damage.

3.) Monies from clauses 1 and 2 shall only be made available to the Northeast and Mideast Regions.

SECTION THREE. PROCESS FOR DISTRIBUTION

1.) The Governor of the Northeast Region shall prepare a report and request the funds needed for repairs as outlined in section 1 from the SoIA.

2.) No less than 80% of the funds from Section 1, Clause 1 shall be appropriated to the Northeast. Beyond that requirement, the SoIA has the discretion to appropriate the funds from Section 1, Clauses 1 and 2 as he sees fit.

3.) Any monies not appropriated to the regions by January 31st, 2013, shall be returned to the general fund.

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A BILL

To close the achievement gap with accountability, flexibility, quality, and equality, so that all students may enjoy a proper education.

Be it enacted the Senate of the Republic of Atlasia assembled;

SECTION 1. TITLE

This legislation may be cited as the ‘Atlasian Education Modernization Act.’

SECTION 2. FINDINGS

The Senate of the Republic of Atlasia hereby finds and declares that;

1.   The current state of the Atlasian education system is poor, and student performance is on a long-term decline

2.    Children of minority and low-income households are being inadequately schooled.

3.   The traditional teachings of mathematics and science courses have been reduced to mere memorization games that do not adequately prepare students for life.

4.   Students have been taught to manufacture formulaic paragraphs on writing essays but are not being adequately trained as writers and readers.

5.   These findings demonstrate an urgent call for reform in the structure of education in the Republic of Atlasia.

SECTION 3. IMPLEMENTATION BY REGIONS

Each region in the Republic of Atlasia shall determine, via legislative or executive action, which policies of this legislation shall apply.  Regions will be expected to craft new education policy based on the reforms established by this legislation.  All new policies, waivers, grants, and funds must be approved by the Secretary of Internal Affairs, who may only approve plans which include all required information asked for by this law.

SECTION 4. PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EDUCATION

1.   All regional education proposals must specify the means of funding for public and private schools.  Schools, public and private, may either be funded exclusively by public funds from the region, the region's municipalities, or the Federal government.

1a. Regions that adopt this policy will be required to:

• Require the founding of a new private comprehensive school to require approval from the region's appropriate regulatory apartment
• Allocate state grants to private schools comparable to that given to a municipal school of the same size
• Prohibit the use of tuition fees by private schools
• Require private schools to admit all their pupils on the same basis as the corresponding municipal school
• Require and ensure that private schools give their students all the social entitlements that are offered to the students of municipal schools

SECTION 5. TEACHERS

1.   The right of teachers to unionize shall be guaranteed across all regions.

2.   All teachers will be allowed to choose textbooks relevant to their respective curriculums.

3.   Regions applying for benefits must specify the minimum education level expected of their teachers.

3a.  Existing teachers whose level of education is below the region's requirement may retain their jobs, but will be required to attend a nightly college until the standard is met.  Tuition will be covered exclusively by the region.

4.   There shall be no specific curriculum assigned to any teacher from the Federal government.

5.   All school principals will be required to, assess their teachers for competence and expertise in their field of study and send their reports to their respective regions.  The appropriate regulatory department will be authorized to set its own guidelines on how each individual teacher will be paid and terminate the jobs of those deemed incompetent.

SECTION 6. SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

1.   All schools below college shall be required to be open to students for at least 190 days per year for at least 7.5 hours a day for no less than eleven years.  One hour each day must be reserved to study hall periods and recess, which shall be required in all schools.

2.   All students across all regions will be entitled to health care (including mental health) and daily lunch.  If a student is of an income level below $25,000, their lunches shall be at no cost.

SECTION 7. WAIVERS FROM STANDARDIZED TESTS

All applying regions must specify whether they would like to continue to assign federal standardized tests in their policy formulas.  Waivers will be distributed to regions under the condition that at least one regionally-prescribed test will be assigned to all its students at any point during the middle of their senior years.  Questions in this test must pertain to math, science, English, and social studies.

SECTION 8. FUNDING

TBD

SECTION 9. IMPLEMENTATION

This law shall go into effect at the start of the 2015 school year.

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On behalf of the administration-

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