Talk Elections

Per the Official Senate Procedural Resolution (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Ospr), this is the new thread for the introduction of legislation.

If you are not a Senator or the President of the Senate, it is against Senate rules for you to post in this thread.  This thread is solely for the introduction of legislation; it is not for debate on proposed legislation!  Each comment from somone other than a Senator introducing legislation makes the job of the President Pro Tempore and the President of the Senate more difficult.  Debate time will be given at a later time and will continue until debate has ceased; please resist the temptation to debate something in this thread.

Please abide by these rules.  Thank you.

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Relevant text of resolution:
Article 3 of OSPR:
Section 1: Rules on Legislation Introduction
1. The PPT shall establish and maintain a thread for Senators to introduce legislation, to be further known in this document as the Legislation Introduction Thread. Only Senators who presently hold elected office may be allowed to post in this thread. Any Citizens or Individuals who post in this thread may be subject to legal action pursuant to the relevant clauses in federal Criminal Law legislation so passed by the Senate.
2. The PPT shall also establish and maintain a thread for all Citizens and Individuals of Atlasia to give opinions, thoughts, suggestions and ideas about recently introduced legislation or legislation presently under debate on the Senate floor. This clause is not meant to deny Citizens or Individuals their right to post on Senate debate threads dealing with specific legislation presently being debated on the Senate floor.

Relevant information from the previous LIT will be posted here soon.

I'm not going to be stickying this because nothing is wrong with the old two threads. We can continue to use them so this is really unnecessary.

Aww, but this one is shiny and new :(

I intend to enforce the rules this time.  The old thread is full of debate, and the debate thread has sat dormant.  The OSPR gives me the right to create a new thread.

This shows yet another reason why Masterjedi should not be PPT.

There's very little legislation in the pipeline, Senators, so introduce your bills!  They'll receive quick action by the full Senate.

On behalf of SoFA Ernest.

Campaigning Bill

§1. Findings
   (a) In the recent case of True Democrat v. Department of Forum Affairs, the Supreme Court found that due to the lack of any definition of what constituted campaigning, only the narrowest of definitions could be used.
   (b) A narrow definition of campaigning allows for some campaigning activities to escape the sanctions intended to curb them.
   (c) The Senate has not only power under Article V Section 1 Clause 3 to punish campaigning under the limited definition ascribed to the term by the Supreme Court, but a broader power under Article I Section 4 Clause 6 and Article II Section 2 Clause 2 to regulate elections so as to prevent campaigning type activities.

§2. Definitions
   (a) The term "criminal campaigning" shall mean content in an ballot post clearly and obviously designed to persuade other voters. It shall include any direct exhortation to voters in general or particular to vote in a certain manner.  It shall also include any use of an image or a hyperlink containing references to one more candidates (including potential write-in candidates), save one copied from the post containing the official ballot for that election.
   (b) The term "civil campaigning" shall mean any expression of the reasons for casting a particular vote that does not constitute criminal campaigning.  The term does not include any expression of the difficulty of deciding how to vote or any unexplained statement that one or more candidates are fit or unfit to serve in an elected office.

§3. Civil Campaigning
   (a) If an administrator of a voting booth determines that a post contains civil campaigning, he shall invaldate the ballot only for those offices for which civil campaigning occured.
   (b) The voter may within 72 hours of the determiniation of an occurance of civil campaigning make an administrative appeal to the Secretary of Forum Affairs, giving his reasons for why the activity should not be considered civil campaigning.
   (c) If the Secretary determines that civil campaigning has not occurred, the ballot shall be counted for that office.
   (d) If the Secretary determines that civil campaigning has occurred, or if the Secretary fails to inform the voter of his determination within 72 hours of the voter making his appeal, the voter may appeal to the Supreme Court.
   (e) The Supreme Court may choose whether or not to hear the case.
   (f) If the result of an adminstrative or judicial appeal could affect the outcome of an election, any Justice of the Supreme Court may issue an injuction barring the carrying out of the effect of that outcome until either all appeals have been exhausted or the result would no longer affect the outcome.

§4. Criminal Campaigning
   (a) If the administrator of a voting booth determines that a post contains criminal campaigning, he shall invalidate the ballot only for those offices for which criminal campaigning occured and refer the evidence to the Attorney General for prosecution.
   (b) If the Attorney General determines that he will not prosecute for criminal campaigning, then the content shall be treated as if it were civil campaigning.
   (c) If the Attorney General fails to determine whether he will prosecute within 24 hours of receiving a referral under subsection (a), then the voter may begin an administrative appeal as if the offense were civil campaigning. Such an adminstrative appeal shall be immediately suspended if the Attorney General determines to prosecute, but any rulings made as a result of the administrative appeal shall stand until overruled by the trial court.
   (d) If the Attorney General fails to determine whether he will prosecute within 168 hours of receiving a referral under subsection (a), then all criminal charges shall be dropped.
   (e) If the voter is found guilty of criminal campaigning, then the court shall invalidate  the ballot only for those offices for which criminal campaigning occured and may additionally impose a penalty of the suspension of voting rights for a period not to exceed 120 days, or in lieu of such penalty, may impose a probationary period of not to exceed 1 year, during which the court may impose the penalty if the voter violates the terms of probation.
   (f)  If the voter is found not guilty of criminal campaigning, then the court shall also determine if the action constituted civil campaigning and order the official results of the election adjusted accordingly.

So, why isn't this thread stickied?

I've stickied it even though there's no reason to. The old thread is fine.

ty

In light of the Flexi-Time Amendment being ratified by the Regions, I introduce the following additional clause - in  green  - to Section 10: Administration of Voting Booths of the Electoral System Reform Act:

Modified Electoral System Reform Act

===Section 10: Administration of Voting Booths===
1. Whenever possible, the Secretary of Forum Affairs, or the Deputy Secretary of Forum Affairs, shall be the administrator of the voting booth. If both shall be absent or unable to administer the voting booth, then the President shall designate an executive officer to do so instead.
2. The administrator of a voting booth shall be free to design the ballot as he or she sees fit, as long as the content of the ballot is clear and unambiguous.
3. The administrator of a voting booth shall post links to all relevant statute regarding electoral law on the ballot.
 4. The administrator of a voting booth shall give registered voters three days advance public notice, in both the Fantasy Elections Forum and the Voting Booth, of the hours in which voting shall take place for all regular and special Senate elections

'Hawk'

I'll introduce this for Ebowed.


Banishment Procedure Bill

1. Any registered voter who is permanently banned from the Atlas Forum by Dave Leip shall be considered to be a deregistered voter, as defined in Section 2, Clause 2 under the Deregistration Act.
2. Public confirmation from Dave Leip stating that a person is permanently banned is considered sufficient information to invoke Clause 1 of this act.

I withdraw my Virgin Islands Statehood Act because it's not going to pass now.

On behalf of Brandon H, I introduce this amendment to Section 5 of the Electoral System Reform Act:

Second Modified Electoral System Reform Act

 Section 5 of the Electoral System Reform Act is stricken and replaced with:

Section 5: Tied Run-off Elections
If the Run-off Election procedure specified in section 4 results in a tie, then:

1. One of the tied candidates may concede their portion of the term. The rules for determining the winner shall proceed based on as if the number tied candidates is reduced by one.
2. The two candidates shall each serve a Senate session.
   a. If one and only one of the tied candidates is an incumbent, then that candidate shall serve the first session.
   b. If the same two candidates were serving as co-senators as a result of a tie in the last election, then the candidate who served the second session during the previous term shall serve the first session this term.
c. Else the candidate whose name comes first alphabetically shall serve the first session.
3. In the event of a tie between more than two candidates:
   a. The tied candidates may make any agreement they see fit.
   b. If an agreement can not be made by (a), the Senate shall either:
      i.  Select one candidate to serve the entire term.
      ii. Select a schedule that will allow all tied candidates to serve a portion of the term.
4. Only the sitting senator may vote on legislation.
5. When the President makes a nomination, both co-senators shall vote, but their vote shall only be counted as a single vote. If the two votes oppose each other then their vote shall be counted as a vote in favor of the nominee.
6. If one co-senator is elected or appointed to another office, than the other co-senator shall assume all the role of a full senator.


BTW, in light of the previous amendment to this Act and that I'm still waiting to hear from the SoFA since he raised it whether or not I need to introduce an amendment to that will both:

·   Strike Sections 1 through to 4 of the Electoral System Reform Act and replace these with Sections 1-3 of the Unified Electoral Code Act and introduce an amendment which will renumber Sections 5 through to 17, Sections 4 to 16; or
·   Just introduce a renumbering amendment

However, I’m of the opinion that the Peter Will Fix It Act addressed the striking of Sections 1 through to 4 in the event of them being rejected in a national public poll against, which they were; thereby, requiring Sections 1-3 of the Unified Electoral Code Act be incorporated into the Electoral System Reform Act

If this be the case, I’ll introduce the renumbering amendment but if not then I’ll propose the following Bill, which will address the points I’ve just raised:

Hawk's ESRA Fix It Bill

Section 1

1. Following the rejection of Sections 1 through to 4 of the Electoral System Reform Act in a national public poll, said sections are, hereby, stricken from said Act.
2. Consequently, Sections 1 through to 3 of the Unified Electoral Code Act are, hereby, incorporated into the Electoral System Reform Act.

Section 2

Sections 5 through to 17 of the Electoral System Reform Act are, hereby, renumbered Sections 4 to 16.

In nutshell, are both Sections 1 and 2 required or just Section 2? Because it might be an idea to resolve this matter before commencing with the "Flexi-Time" and "Split-Term" amendments

‘Hawk’

I have two new bills, and I bet people will like! :)


South American Free Trade Act


1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia, Columbia, Guyana, Suriname, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina and Chile.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.



Caribbean Free Trade Act


1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Netherlands Antilles, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

I introduce these bills for Ebowed.


Atlasian-Australia Free Trade Act

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Australia.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

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Atlasian-Morocco Free Trade Act

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Morocco.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

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Atlasian-Singapore Free Trade Act

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Singapore.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.
3. The United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement is repealed.

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Atlasian-Bahrain Free Trade Act

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Bahrain.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

I'll also introduce these for Ebowed.


Actual Farm Subsidies Abolition Bill

Whereas, F.L. 9-13 "Farm Subsidies Abolition Act" did not abolish farm subsidies:
1. Sections I, II, IV, and V of the Farm Subsidies Abolition Act are repealed.
2. All farm subsidies are hereby abolished, effective from Fiscal Year 2007.

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Atlasian-Israel-Jordan Free Trade Bill

Section 1: Jordan
1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Jordan.
2. The United States-Jordan Free Trade Agreement is repealed.

Section 2: Israel
1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Israel.
2. The United States-Israel Free Trade Agreement is repealed.

Section 3: Designation of Powers
1. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this act.

I'll introduce this for Ebowed as well.


Adoption Bill

1. No adoption agency run by or funded, either in full or in part, by the federal government of Atlasia shall bar any individual or couple from adopting a minor based solely or primarily on their sexual orientation.
2. Any agency outlined above shown to be in violation of this act shall be liable to a three month suspension of their funding pending further investigation.
3. This act shall not be construed as to deny adoption agencies the ability to deny adoption rights to someone with a criminal record of sexual misconduct, nor shall the definition of "sexual orientation" be interpreted to include predators of children.

I'll introduce this bill for BrandonH but I'm omitting the last clause because I can't support getting rid of Medicaid.


Medicare Reform Bill

1. A senior shall be defined as a person age 60 or over.
2. Seniors shall have the right to opt out of medicare and this shall not affect their Social Security benefits.
3. Seniors receiving Medicare benefits shall have the option of using private doctors for services covered by Medicare without penalty.
4. Persons who have paid into the Medicare system shall be elegible for a voucher upon becoming a senior.  The value of the voucher shall be based on past medical history and probablity of future health risks.
5. Employees shall have the option of contributing the 1.45% Medicare Tax into a Retirement Health Savings Account.

I'll be introducing this for the President.


Unified Federal Territories Sex Crimes Bill


Section 1: Applicability
This law shall only apply in the District of Columbia and in federal territories that do not form part of any Region.

Section 2: Rape
1. Rape shall be defined as the unlawful penetration (however slight):
(a) of the mouth by the penis, or
(b) of the anus or the vagina by the penis or any object held or manipulated by another person.
2. To be found guilty it must be proved that at the time of the act the actor knows that the victim does not consent, or is reckless as to whether the victim does or does not consent to it.  Any person found guilty of rape may liable to a term of life imprisonment.

Section 3: Age of Consent
1. The age at which a person may consent to engage in sexual relations with another person shall be 16.  The following exceptions are made:
(a) A person between the ages of 14 and 16 may consent to have sex with another person of the same age;
(b) A person between the ages of 15 and 17 may consent to have sex with another person of the same age;
(c) A person aged 16 or 17 may not consent to have sex with another person over 18 if that person is in a position of authority over the 16 or 17 year old;
(d) In order to partake in group sexual relations, all participants must be at least or older than 18 years old.
2. Any person who is 18 years old or older that has sex with any person who is between the ages of 14 and 15 years old shall be guilty of statutory rape; they shall be sentenced to no more than ten years in prison and may be subject to rehabilitation and counseling sessions as determined by the jury.
3. Any person who is 16 years old or older that has sex with any person who is 13 years old or younger shall be guilty of child molestation; they may be liable to a term of life imprisonment depending upon the severity and frequency of the violations.  Persons 18 years old or older who violate this law will be sentenced to no less than ten years in jail and may be subject to rehabilitation and counseling sessions as determined by the jury.
4. "Group sexual relations" (as referred to in Clause 1(d)) is defined as sexual activities consisting of three or more people.

Section 4: Bestiality
The act of bestiality, which is defined as gross sexual imposition, sexual assault, or the committing of a deviant sexual act with an animal that is not a human being, shall be illegal.  Any person found guilty of bestiality shall be sentenced to no more than one year in jail and/or shall be fined no more than $2000.

Section 5: Penetration of a Human Corpse
1. Sexual acts relating to necrophilia shall be illegal.  Any person found guilty of sexual acts relating to necrophilia shall be sentenced to no more than one year in jail and/or shall be fined no more than $2000.  Appropriate penalties relating to restrictions on cemetery visits and in particular contact with the family of the person whose corpse has been defiled may be applied by juries as they see fit.
2. "Sexual acts relating to necrophilia" is defined as:
(a) a person intentionally performing an act of penetration with a part of his or her body or anything else,
(b) what is penetrated is a part of the body of a dead person,
(c) the person knows that, or is reckless as to whether, that is what is penetrated, and
(d) the penetration is sexual, and in particular not for medical, scientific, forensic or investigative reasons.

Section 6: Incest
1. No two people or group of persons who are closely biologically related may engage in sexual relations with each other.  Any person found guilty of willingly violating this law shall be sentenced to no more than one year in jail and/or shall be fined no more than $2000.
2. "Closely biologically related" is defined as to restrict sexual actions between a person and his or her biological mother, father, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, first cousin, niece, nephew, daughter, son, granddaughter, grandson, great-granddaughter, great-grandson, great-grandmother, or great-grandfather.

Section 7: Pornography
It shall be legal for persons of 16 years of age or older to buy, possess and view pornography depicting only persons of 18 years of age or older.

Recognition of the Armenian Genocide Resolution

1. The government of Atlasia recognizes the forced evacuation and resultant deaths of over a million Armenians as ordered by the government of the Young Turks from 1915 to 1917 to be genocide.
2. The government of Atlasia hereby condemns the government of Turkey for refusing to acknowledge the said events as genocide.

(for more information see The Armenian Genocide (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenian_Genocide))

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Atlasia-New Zealand Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and New Zealand.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this act.

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Atlasia-Oman Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Oman.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this act.

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Atlasia-India Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and India.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this act.

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Atlasia-Thailand Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Thailand.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this act.

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Atlasia-Malaysia Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Malaysia.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this act.

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The Ensuring Personal Security Bill

Section 1: Applicability
1. This act shall only apply in the District of Columbia and in federal territories which do not form part of any region.

Section 2: Identity Fraud and Privacy Protection
(a) The security of personal information that could be used to identify a citizen is hereby protected.  This information shall be known as Protected Personal Information, or "PPI."
(b) PPI shall be defined to include both financial and medical information.
(c) Medical records as well as any genetic information that has been generated may only be viewed by another party when a citizen specifically and voluntarily authorizes that information to be shared. An insurer shall not require the release of genetic information by a preexisting or potential customer, nor shall any genetic information be taken into consideration when insurance-related decisions are made. The disclosure of personal medical information of any nature shall be limited to between the patient and the medical care provider, but the patient shall be permitted to authorize disclosure to other entities, as necesary in the course of treatment or for other purposes, at the patient's discretion. This information shall be used only within the legal relationships established voluntarily by the patient.
(d) Personal financial information of a citizen may be viewed only by individuals or entities specifically and voluntarily authorized by that citizen. Financial guarantors, whether individuals or commercial entities, may request financial PPI. Disclosure by the citizen shall be optional, but the guarantor may decline transacting with the individual solely on the grounds of refusal by the individual to release requested financial PPI. The guarantor may also decline transacting with the individual solely because of the nature and status of that individual's financial PPI.
(e) Commercial entities and individuals shall not sell PPI or pass it on in any way or by any means that violate the rules established by this act.
(f) Fines for violations shall be $10,000 per individual whose PPI has been handled illegally, to be imposed upon the violator of the provisions of this act.

(blatantly stolen from a Southeast initiative written by Q)

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Return to Normalcy Bill

1. The Metric Converstion Act of 1975 is hereby repealed.

Atlasian-Jordan Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Jordan.
2. The United States-Jordan Free Trade Agreement is repealed.
3. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this act.

Of course, should my amendment to the original Atlasian-Israel-Jordan Free Trade Bill be defeated then this Bill shall be withdrawn

'Hawk'

Addition to the Prescription Drug Reimportation Act Bill

Clause 1 is hereby modified to read:

Atlasian trade law shall be amended to allow private citizens to purchase prescription drugs from Canadian, Australian, British, Japanese, German, French, Sweedish, Norwegian, Finnish, Danish, Dutch, South Korean, Belgian, Irish and Swiss retailers and transport them into the United States for private use.


Note: Everything after French is what is being added.

Atlasian-South Korea Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and South Korea.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

And if you weren't sick if free trade bills, now you will be! :P

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Atlasian-Fiji Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Fiji.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

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Atlasian-Solomon Islands Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and the Solomon Islands.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

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Atlasian-Switzerland Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Switzerland.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

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Atlasian-South Africa Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and South Africa.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

Where do I put consitutional amendment suggestions? Here?

Yes please!  Anything to interrupt the monotonous stream of bilateral free trade bills!

Thats an exetremely good point you make. I have one more question before I do though:

Does Bono V. Atlasia II still stand relevant? i.e., can the senate still not pass a minimum wage law for the nation? Can it still not run certain means of production?

This is not the place for asking questions, the debate thread is. This is just for introducing amendments.

Eh, I dont feel like re-typing it, so Ill just skip it. Thanks for telling me for future reference though.

My time in the senate runs thin sadly, but I have gotten a chance to all the cool stuff a senator gets to do. That is, all but one: introduce a bill. :D

Delicious Symbols of Atlasia Act

1. The Senate hereby declares New York Style cheesecake the official food of Atlasia, and Chef salad the assistant official food of Atlasia.

This needs an amendment banning anybody from eating any other food.

I, hereby, introduce this Bill (Part 1):

Consolidated Electoral System Reform Bill

Section 1: Votes

1.   In their vote in the Elections to the Senate and the Presidency, each voter shall list some, none, or all of the candidates in the voter's order of preference for them.
2.   If no numbering of the preferences is stated, then the candidate at the top of the list shall be presumed to be the first preference, the candidate on the second line of the list shall be presumed to be the second preference, and so on.
3.   A voter may cast a write-in vote in any election, except a runoff election.
4.   In order to write-in a candidate, the voter shall not be required to explicitly specify that his or her vote is for a write-in candidate.
5.   In order for write-in votes for a candidate to qualify as countable votes, the person written-in must formally accept the write-in candidacy before the end of voting in the given election.
6.   A voter may vote for "None of the Above" in any election, except a runoff election. Any voter who votes for "None of the Above" may do so only as a first preference; any and all lower preferences of the voter shall be ignored.
7.    If a voter shall explicitly cast a vote in a Senate race for which they are not qualified to vote, then the vote in that Senate race shall be considered non-extant, and the voter may post a new vote in the correct Senate race if applicable

Section 2: Determination of the Winner

1.   If any candidate shall gain a majority of highest preference votes, then that candidate shall be declared the winner of the election.
2.   If no candidate has a majority of highest preference votes, the candidate with the fewest first preferences shall be eliminated, and his or her votes redistributed according to the next-highest preferences of the voters.
3.   If, after the implementation of Clause 2 of this Section, any candidate shall have a majority of the highest preference votes, then that candidate shall be declared the winner of the election. If no such candidate shall exist, then Clause 2 of this Section shall be implemented again until such a candidate does exist, or until all candidates have the same number of highest preference votes.
4.   If two or more candidates are tied for the least number of highest preference votes, but none of those candidates are tied for the greatest number of highest preference votes, then the following procedure shall be used to determine which candidate is eliminated:
i. The candidate with the least total number of preferences expressed by voters shall be eliminated.
ii. The Senate shall vote on which candidate to eliminate, with the Vice President being able to cast a tie-breaking vote if necessary.

Section 3: Run-off Elections

If all remaining candidates shall have the same number of highest preference votes, then the following procedure shall be used to break the tie:

1.    Run-off elections shall begin between midnight Eastern Standard Time on the first Thursday after the initial election and 0001 Eastern Standard Time on the first Friday thereafter, and shall conclude exactly 72 hours after the beginning.
2.   Those candidates who have tied shall be automatically entered onto the ballot. No other candidacies shall be allowed.
3.   Voters shall only be able to cast a vote for one candidate.
4.   If any candidate shall gain a majority of the votes cast, then he shall be declared winner.
5.    In the event that litigation is pending before the Supreme Court at the time a run-off is due to be held, the Supreme Court may delay the run-off in a specified manner if it thinks the result of such litigation would have a substantive impact on the run-off.

Section 4: Tied Run-off Elections

If the Run-off Election procedure specified in section 4 results in a tie, then:

1.   One of the tied candidates may concede their portion of the term. The rules for determining the winner shall proceed based on as if the number tied candidates is reduced by one.
2.   The two candidates shall each serve a Senate session.
a. The two candidates will be allowed to determine the order in which the terms are split.
b. If no agreement is reached regarding the order of the terms that each candidate serves in, if one of the tied candidates is an incumbent, then that candidate shall serve the first session.
c. If both of the tied candidates are incumbents, due to redistricting or other circumstances, or if neither of the candidates are incumbents, and no agreement has been reached regarding the order of the terms that each candidate serves in, then the candidates shall serve in alphabetical order, going by their names used on the Registered Voter Roll.
3.   In the event of a tie between more than two candidates:
a. The tied candidates may make any agreement they see fit.
b. If an agreement cannot be made by (a), the Senate shall either:
i. Select one candidate to serve the entire term.
ii. Select a schedule that will allow all tied candidates to serve a portion of the term.
4.   If one of the term sharing senators resigns or is elected or appointed to another office, than the other will serve out the remainder of the term.

Section 5: None of the Above

If, in an election, the None of the Above option shall have gained more votes than each candidate, then a new election shall be held under the following procedure:

1.    The new election shall be held between midnight Eastern Standard Time on the second Thursday after the initial election and 0001 Eastern Standard Time on the first Friday thereafter at 1800 Eastern Standard Time on the second Thursday after the election, and shall conclude exactly 72 hours after the beginning.
2.   None of the candidates defeated by the None of the Above option in the original may be declared candidates in the new election. However, a voter may still write-in any such candidate.
3.   The candidacy declaration deadline for the new election shall be the same as for special elections.
4.   Except as regards Clause 2 of this Section, all other provisions of this Act shall apply to the new election.

Section 6: Absentee Voting

1.   As mandated by Article V, Section 2, Clause 8 of the Federal Constitution, all voters shall have the right to cast absentee votes after the candidacy declaration period has expired.
2.   Upon the candidacy declaration deadline occurring the Secretary of Forum Affairs or Deputy Secretary of Forum Affairs shall establish a thread for absentee voting which shall include a full ballot. In the event that a run-off is necessary, absentee voting shall open as soon as is practical after the certification of the original election results.
3.   Voters wishing to vote by absentee shall post their votes as they otherwise would.
4.   In the event that a person votes by absentee and regularly then both votes will be discounted.

Section 7: Applicability

Any instance of the word "candidate" in Sections 1 through 7 shall be read as "ticket" in the case of Presidential elections.

'Hawk'

(Part 2)

Section 8: Candidacy Declarations

1.   The candidacy declaration deadline for regular elections to the Senate shall be seven days before the commencement of the election  (i.e. this would be no later than midnight Eastern Standard time on the Thursday prior to the election)  and for special elections to the Senate shall be two days before the commencement of the election.
2.   The candidacy declaration deadline for full tickets of a Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidate to declare shall be seven days  before the commencement of the election (i.e. this would be no later than midnight Eastern Standard time on the Thursday prior to the election).  However, should the Vice-Presidential candidate withdraw his candidacy, then the Presidential candidate may nominate a new Vice-Presidential candidate up to 72 hours before the commencement of the election.
3.   In all cases, the assent of both the Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidate shall be necessary for them to appear together as a ticket on the ballot.

Section 9: Administration of Voting Booths

1.   Whenever possible, the Secretary of Forum Affairs, or the Deputy Secretary of Forum Affairs, shall be the administrator of the voting booth. If both shall be absent or unable to administer the voting booth, then the President shall designate an executive officer to do so instead.
2.   The administrator of a voting booth shall be free to design the ballot as he or she sees fit, as long as the content of the ballot is clear and unambiguous.
3.   The administrator of a voting booth shall post links to all relevant statute regarding electoral law on the ballot.
4.   The administrator of a voting booth shall give registered voters seven days advance public notice, in both the Fantasy Elections Forum and the Voting Booth, of the hours in which voting shall take place for all regular Senate elections.
5.   The administrator of a voting booth shall give registered voters seven days advance public notice, in both the Fantasy Elections Forum and the Voting Booth, of the hours in which voting shall take place for all special Senate elections called on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday; and three days advance public notice, in both the Fantasy Elections Forum and the Voting Booth, of the hours in which voting shall take place for all special Senate called on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Section 10: Certification of Election Results

1.   When the voting period has expired, the administrator of the voting booth or a moderator of the Forum shall lock the thread containing the voting booth. The thread shall not be unlocked except to enter the official certification of the election result onto the thread.
2.   Certification of the election result shall be conducted as soon as reasonably possible after the voting booth shall have closed by the administrator of the voting booth. If the administrator of the voting booth shall not be available to conduct such certification, then he or she shall designate another executive officer of the federal government to carry out such certification in his stead.
3.   In certifying the result the administrator shall list all those votes which he or she has discounted, and the reasons for these votes being discounted. The voting booth administrator shall discount all votes that are invalid under the law, and shall only count those remaining votes for which he or she is able to make a reasonable determination as to the intent of the voter subject to such conditions as imposed by Section 12 of this Act.
4.   The certifying officer may post provisional certifications of the election results, but these shall be of no legal effect.
5.   Once the certifying officer is content that he has a full and complete certification he shall post an official certification which shall be final in all respects, unless a Court order shall instruct otherwise.

Section 11: Reasonable Determination of Intent

1.   Where a voter lists only the Presidenitial candidate of a ticket in a Presidential election and this is the sole occurrence of the Presidential candidate on the ballot, then the vote shall be construed to be for the ticket which the Presidential candidate is a member of.
2.   Where a voter lists all candidates or tickets running and places some mark to the right or left of one and only one of the candidates or tickets, then the vote shall be construed to be for that candidate or ticket.
3.   The enumeration of certain reasonable determinations of intent in this section shall not be construed to be exclusive.
4.   The provisions of this section do not override the Akno21 v. Fritz Supreme Court decision.

Section 12: Concession of Victory

1.   If a candidate shall concede his or her victory of a Senate election after the certification of the election result, then the candidate with the next greatest number of highest preference votes in that election shall then be declared victor.
2.   If both members of a Presidential ticket shall concede their victory in the Presidential election after the certification of the election result, then the members of the ticket with the next greatest number of highest preference votes in that election shall then be declared victors.
3.   If a victor who has conceded shall wish to retract his or her concession, then he or she may only do so with the permission of the newly declared victor.
4.   If an election shall produce a tie, then any candidate or ticket may decline to go forward to the run-off. If such actions shall leave only one candidate or ticket in the runoff, then that candidate or ticket shall be declared the victor.
5.   If a tied candidate or ticket that has withdrawn shall wish to re-enter the run-off, then they may only do so with the permission of the other candidates or tickets in the tie.
6.   Concessions made before the certification of election results, or on or after the date on which the newly elected official is due to be sworn in, are of no legal effect whatsoever.

Section 13: Statute of Limitations

1.   Lawsuits challenging the validity of certified election results shall only be valid if filed with the Supreme Court within one week of the certification of such results.
2.   Lawsuits challenging the validity of election results certified on or before 18 March, 2006 shall not be valid.

Section 14: Federal Activity Requirements

1.   All those persons who have posted at least 25 times in the 8 weeks (56 days) prior to the commencement of an election shall be defined as active for the purposes of that election.
2.   Those persons considered inactive (defined as not active) shall not be qualified to vote in a particular election.
3.   Anyone who has cast an absentee ballot shall be regarded as an active voter, provided he or she fulfills the definition by the time the election commences for which the ballot was cast, of an "active voter"; However, the post containing the ballot shall not count towards the total number of required posts.

 This Act consolidates Sections 1 through to 3 of the Unified Electoral Code Act and Section 4 through to 14 (renumbered) of the Electoral System Reform Act

I'll explain the amendments (i.e. changes in  green ) once it is on the floor of the Senate

'Hawk'

I'll introduce these for Ebowed. I can edit them with changes made later if needed.


Rebellion Aid Bill

1. $25 million in monetary aid is given to the Government of the Mideast to help it in restoring harm done by the above mentioned rebellion in the District of Columbia and the state of Maryland.
2. The Senate of Atlasia expresses its heartfelt grief for the friends and families of the 270 people who died in the violence of the rebellion.

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Treasonous Rebellion Bill

1. The following acts are hereby declared Acts of Treason.
a.) Rebellion, defined as the use of military forces to overthrow the Federal or any Regional government of Atlasia.
b.) Aiding of a rebellion, defined as the fully knowing and intentional direction of funds, military aid, or strategic advice to a person or group seeking to engage in rebellion.
c.) Terrorism, defined as the unlawful or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating civilians and/or the federal and/or regional governments of Atlasia.

2. Sentencing of an above defined Act of Treason shall be by the presiding Justice; he may use any combination of the following as punishment, depending upon the severity of the offense:
a.) Up to a lifetime ban from voting in any Atlasian elections.
b.) Up to lifetime incarceration in an Atlasian Fantasy Prison.
c.) A fine of up to $1,000,000,000 in fantasy currency.

3. Rights of the defendant.
a.) The defendant shall not be denied the access to adequate legal counsel in the form of an upstanding, active citizen of Atlasia. The defendant also has the right to waive their right to legal counsel.
If the defendant requests legal counsel, but is unable to secure his own adequate legal counsel according to the stipulations above, the presiding Justice shall request the chief judicial officer of the Region which said Defendant resides in, to serve as legal counsel to represent the defense. The chief judicial officer of the Region shall have the right to refuse such a request.
b.) If there is no chief judicial officer of said Region or if the chief judicial officer refuses this request, the Senior Senator of the Region shall be appointed as chief legal counsel, or if there is no Regional senator, the Senior Senator of the District in which Defendant resides in shall be appointed as chief legal counsel.
If the Senior Senator of the Region or District, as stated above, and the Defendant are the same person, then the Junior Senator of the Region shall be appointed as chief legal counselor, or if there is no Regional senator, the Junior Senator of the District in which Defendant resides in shall be appointed as chief legal counsel.
c.) For this clause, active citizen is defined as someone who voted in the last federal election and upstanding citizen is defined as someone who is presently, or who has previously, held elected office in Atlasia.
d.) The defendant shall have the right to a speedy trial as defined in Amendment 3 to the Constitution. In addition to this Amendment, the following section will be used as definition of a speedy trial:
(I) If a brief by the Plaintiff is not filed within one week (7 days) of the presiding Justice opening the trial against the defendant, the case will be dismissed and all charges will be dropped.
(II) A one week (7 days) leniency period may be granted by the presiding Justice by request of the Plaintiff, but any further delays may not be granted by the presiding Justice, except in the case of grave illness or publicly announced absence from the forum.

^^ With the consent of Q I'd like to bump the above two bills to the front of the Senate's agenda.

I concur with the President Pro Tempore; this legislation is vital.

Amtrak Privatization Bill

1. All rail subsidies are abolished effective FY 2007.
2. The Amtrak rail system is to be privatized through an auction.
3. The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to make necessary rules and regulations relating to the process of privatization.
4. The privatization of the Amtrak system shall be completed before the year 2007.
5. The person or corporation who purchases the Amtrak system will be authorized to terminate unprofitable routes at their discretion.

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Whaling Bill

1. The Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission is abolished.
2. The act of whaling, the hunting and killing of whales, is hereby criminalized.  No person shall be exempt from this law due to ther ethnic or religious status.
3. The intentional killing of a whale for hunting purposes shall be punishable by a maximum fine of $15,000, a maximum of three years in prison, enviro-centric community service, or any combination of these.

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Human Cloning Bill

Section 1: Federal Funding
1. Any business, institution, or organization run by or funded, either in full or in part, by the federal government of Atlasia, shall not engage in human cloning.
2. Any business, institution, or organization outlined above shown to be in violation of this act shall be liable to a three month suspension of their funding pending further investigation.

Section 2: Prohibition
1. This section shall apply in the District of Columbia and in federal territories that do not form part of any region.
2. Human cloning experimentation is hereby prohibited.
3. "Human cloning" is defined as attemps to create a human being through artificial means by experimenting with and attempting to create a clone of a human embryo.
4. Any person who breaks this law will be sentenced to a minimum of five years in prison or a maximum of twenty-five years in prison.  Medical professionals who violate this act shall be liable to a temporary or permanent confiscation of their medical license as found appropriate by the jury.

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Corporate Welfare Elimination Bill

1. The Maritime Administration's Guaranteed Loan Subsidies are abolished effective FY 2007.
2. The Department of Defense's Foreign Military Financing program is abolished effective FY 2007.
3. The Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration is abolished effective FY 2007.
4. The Department of Agriculture's Market Access Program is abolished effective FY 2007.

This Bill, basically, consolidates (i.e puts together) the sections of the UECA and ESRA, which are in effect plus any additional clauses and changes to existing clauses, which are stated in  green

Consolidated Electoral System Reform Bill

Section 1: Votes

1.   In their vote in the Elections to the Senate and the Presidency, each voter shall list some, none, or all of the candidates in the voter's order of preference for them.
2.   If no numbering of the preferences is stated, then the candidate at the top of the list shall be presumed to be the first preference, the candidate on the second line of the list shall be presumed to be the second preference, and so on.
3.   A voter may cast a write-in vote in any election, except a runoff election.
4.   In order to write-in a candidate, the voter shall not be required to explicitly specify that his or her vote is for a write-in candidate.
5.   In order for write-in votes for a candidate to qualify as countable votes, the person written-in must formally accept the write-in candidacy before the end of voting in the given election.
6.   A voter may vote for "None of the Above" in any election, except a runoff election. Any voter who votes for "None of the Above" may do so only as a first preference; any and all lower preferences of the voter shall be ignored.
7.    If a voter shall explicitly cast a vote in a Senate race for which they are not qualified to vote, then the vote in that Senate race shall be considered non-extant, and the voter may post a new vote in the correct Senate race if applicable.

Section 2: Determination of the Winner

1.   If any candidate shall gain a majority of highest preference votes, then that candidate shall be declared the winner of the election.
2.   If no candidate has a majority of highest preference votes, the candidate with the fewest first preferences shall be eliminated, and his or her votes redistributed according to the next-highest preferences of the voters.
3.   If, after the implementation of Clause 2 of this Section, any candidate shall have a majority of the highest preference votes, then that candidate shall be declared the winner of the election. If no such candidate shall exist, then Clause 2 of this Section shall be implemented again until such a candidate does exist, or until all candidates have the same number of highest preference votes.
4.   If two or more candidates are tied for the least number of highest preference votes, but none of those candidates are tied for the greatest number of highest preference votes, then the following procedure shall be used to determine which candidate is eliminated:
i. The candidate with the least total number of preferences expressed by voters shall be eliminated.
ii. The Senate shall vote on which candidate to eliminate, with the Vice President being able to cast a tie-breaking vote if necessary.

Section 3: Run-off Elections

If all remaining candidates shall have the same number of highest preference votes, then the following procedure shall be used to break the tie:

1.    Run-off elections shall begin between midnight Eastern Standard Time on the first Thursday after the initial election and 0001 Eastern Standard Time on the first Friday thereafter, and shall conclude exactly 72 hours after the beginning.
2.   Those candidates who have tied shall be automatically entered onto the ballot. No other candidacies shall be allowed.
3.   Voters shall only be able to cast a vote for one candidate.
4.   If any candidate shall gain a majority of the votes cast, then he shall be declared winner.
5.    In the event that litigation is pending before the Supreme Court at the time a run-off is due to be held, the Supreme Court may delay the run-off in a specified manner if it thinks the result of such litigation would have a substantive impact on the run-off.

Section 4: Tied Run-off Elections

If the Run-off Election procedure specified in section 4 results in a tie, then:

1.   One of the tied candidates may concede their portion of the term. The rules for determining the winner shall proceed based on as if the number tied candidates is reduced by one.
2.   The two candidates shall each serve a Senate session.
a. The two candidates will be allowed to determine the order in which the terms are split.
b. If no agreement is reached regarding the order of the terms that each candidate serves in, if one of the tied candidates is an incumbent, then that candidate shall serve the first session.
c. If both of the tied candidates are incumbents, due to redistricting or other circumstances, or if neither of the candidates are incumbents, and no agreement has been reached regarding the order of the terms that each candidate serves in, then the candidates shall serve in alphabetical order, going by their names used on the Registered Voter Roll.
3.   In the event of a tie between more than two candidates:
a. The tied candidates may make any agreement they see fit.
b. If an agreement cannot be made by (a), the Senate shall either:
i. Select one candidate to serve the entire term.
ii. Select a schedule that will allow all tied candidates to serve a portion of the term.
4.   If one of the term sharing senators resigns or is elected or appointed to another office, than the other will serve out the remainder of the term.

Section 5: None of the Above

If, in an election, the None of the Above option shall have gained more votes than each candidate, then a new election shall be held under the following procedure

1.    The new election shall be held between midnight Eastern Standard Time on the second Thursday after the initial election and 0001 Eastern Standard Time on the first Friday thereafter at 1800 Eastern Standard Time on the second Thursday after the election, and shall conclude exactly 72 hours after the beginning.
2.   None of the candidates defeated by the None of the Above option in the original may be declared candidates in the new election. However, a voter may still write-in any such candidate.
3.   The candidacy declaration deadline for the new election shall be the same as for special elections.
4.   Except as regards Clause 2 of this Section, all other provisions of this Act shall apply to the new election.

Section 6: Absentee Voting

1.   As mandated by Article V, Section 2, Clause 8 of the Federal Constitution, all voters shall have the right to cast absentee votes after the candidacy declaration period has expired.
2.   Upon the candidacy declaration deadline occurring the Secretary of Forum Affairs or Deputy Secretary of Forum Affairs shall establish a thread for absentee voting which shall include a full ballot. In the event that a run-off is necessary, absentee voting shall open as soon as is practical after the certification of the original election results.
3.   Voters wishing to vote by absentee shall post their votes as they otherwise would.
4.   In the event that a person votes by absentee and regularly then both votes will be discounted.

Section 7: Applicability

Any instance of the word "candidate" in Sections 1 through  to 6  shall be read as "ticket" in the case of Presidential elections.

Section 8: Candidacy Declarations

1.   The candidacy declaration deadline for regular elections to the Senate shall be seven days before the  earliest possible  commencement of the election and for special elections to the Senate shall be two days before the commencement of the election.
2.   The candidacy declaration deadline for full tickets of a Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidate to declare shall be seven days  before the earliest possible commencement of the election. However, should the Vice-Presidential candidate withdraw his candidacy, then the Presidential candidate may nominate a new Vice-Presidential candidate up to 72 hours before the commencement of the election.
3.   In all cases, the assent of both the Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidate shall be necessary for them to appear together as a ticket on the ballot.

cont.

Section 9: Administration of Voting Booths

1.   Whenever possible, the Secretary of Forum Affairs, or the Deputy Secretary of Forum Affairs, shall be the administrator of the voting booth. If both shall be absent or unable to administer the voting booth, then the President shall designate an executive officer to do so instead.
2.   The administrator of a voting booth shall be free to design the ballot as he or she sees fit, as long as the content of the ballot is clear and unambiguous.
3.   The administrator of a voting booth shall post links to all relevant statute regarding electoral law on the ballot.
4.   The administrator of a voting booth shall give registered voters seven days advance public notice, in both the Fantasy Elections Forum and the Voting Booth, of the hours in which voting shall take place for all regular Senate elections.
5.   The administrator of a voting booth shall give registered voters seven days advance public notice, in both the Fantasy Elections Forum and the Voting Booth, of the hours in which voting shall take place for all special Senate elections called on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday; and three days advance public notice, in both the Fantasy Elections Forum and the Voting Booth, of the hours in which voting shall take place for all special Senate called on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Section 10: Certification of Election Results

1.   When the voting period has expired, the administrator of the voting booth or a moderator of the Forum shall lock the thread containing the voting booth. The thread shall not be unlocked except to enter the official certification of the election result onto the thread.
2.   Certification of the election result shall be conducted as soon as reasonably possible after the voting booth shall have closed by the administrator of the voting booth. If the administrator of the voting booth shall not be available to conduct such certification, then he or she shall designate another executive officer of the federal government to carry out such certification in his stead.
3.   In certifying the result the administrator shall list all those votes which he or she has discounted, and the reasons for these votes being discounted. The voting booth administrator shall discount all votes that are invalid under the law, and shall only count those remaining votes for which he or she is able to make a reasonable determination as to the intent of the voter subject to such conditions as imposed by Section  11  of this Act.
4.   The certifying officer may post provisional certifications of the election results, but these shall be of no legal effect.
5.   Once the certifying officer is content that he has a full and complete certification he shall post an official certification which shall be final in all respects, unless a Court order shall instruct otherwise.

Section 11: Reasonable Determination of Intent

1.   Where a voter lists only the Presidenitial candidate of a ticket in a Presidential election and this is the sole occurrence of the Presidential candidate on the ballot, then the vote shall be construed to be for the ticket which the Presidential candidate is a member of.
2.   Where a voter lists all candidates or tickets running and places some mark to the right or left of one and only one of the candidates or tickets, then the vote shall be construed to be for that candidate or ticket.
3.   The enumeration of certain reasonable determinations of intent in this section shall not be construed to be exclusive.
4.   The provisions of this section do not override the Akno21 v. Fritz Supreme Court decision.

Section 12: Concession of Victory

1.   If a candidate shall concede his or her victory of a Senate election after the certification of the election result, then the candidate with the next greatest number of highest preference votes in that election shall then be declared victor.
2.   If both members of a Presidential ticket shall concede their victory in the Presidential election after the certification of the election result, then the members of the ticket with the next greatest number of highest preference votes in that election shall then be declared victors.
3.   If a victor who has conceded shall wish to retract his or her concession, then he or she may only do so with the permission of the newly declared victor.
4.   If an election shall produce a tie, then any candidate or ticket may decline to go forward to the run-off. If such actions shall leave only one candidate or ticket in the runoff, then that candidate or ticket shall be declared the victor.
5.   If a tied candidate or ticket that has withdrawn shall wish to re-enter the run-off, then they may only do so with the permission of the other candidates or tickets in the tie.
6.   Concessions made before the certification of election results, or on or after the date on which the newly elected official is due to be sworn in, are of no legal effect whatsoever.

Section 13: Statute of Limitations

1.   Lawsuits challenging the validity of certified election results shall only be valid if filed with the Supreme Court within one week of the certification of such results.
2.   Lawsuits challenging the validity of election results certified on or before 18 March, 2006 shall not be valid.

Section 14: Federal Activity Requirements

1.   All those persons who have posted at least 25 times in the 8 weeks (56 days) prior to the commencement of an election shall be defined as active for the purposes of that election.
2.   Those persons considered inactive (defined as not active) shall not be qualified to vote in a particular election.
3.   Anyone who has cast an absentee ballot shall be regarded as an active voter, provided he or she fulfills the definition by the time the election commences for which the ballot was cast, of an "active voter"; However, the post containing the ballot shall not count towards the total number of required posts.

 Section 15: Repealed Legislation

The following Acts are repealed:

1.   Unified Electoral Code Act.
2.   Electoral System Reform Act.
3.   Peter Will Fix It Act.

'Hawk'

I'll introduce this for Ebowed.


Alcohol Reform Bill


1. This act shall apply in the District of Columbia and in federal territories which do not form part of any region.
2. Recognizing that persons between the ages of 18 and 21 are eligible to serve in defense of the country, vote, and consent to sexual relations, the Senate wishes to correct an inconsistency by reforming the age at which restrictions on alcohol are removed.
3. The age at which one may legally purchase, possess, and consume alcohol is hereby lowered to 18.
4. Persons under 18 shall be allowed to consume small quantities of alcohol for religious or medical purposes if under the supervision of a parent or guardian.

Illegal Alien Employment Bill

This bill will impose punishments on businesses that employ illegal aliens and benefit from their labor.

1) A proof of residency is to be required to gain employment in Atlasia.
2) Employers who knowingly employee illegal aliens are to pay a fine of $5000 and/or spend a minimum of three years in jail.
3) Employers that knowingly accept stolen social security numbers and/or other fraudulent  documentation are to be charged with fraud and sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in prison.

That's a good concept for a bill, Vlad.  It needs a little bit more of the bureacratic trimmings before it's fit for proposal, though, I think.  I'll write my own draft and pm it to you.

Sounds good to me, I'd enjoy working with you. :)

Here's some of the not horrible bills by Ebowed for this week:

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Wage Enforcement Bill

1. This bill will only apply in the District of Columbia and in federal territories which do not form part of any region.
2. The minimum wage shall be set at $7.20 per hour.
3. The federal territory minimum wage shall be indexed annually to the Consumer Pricing Index (CPI).
4. Any employer found to be paying any of his employees below the minimum wage shall be sentenced to a prison term of up to five years, depending on the severity of the offense, and/or a fine of up to $10,000.

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Consolidated Criminal Justice Bill

Introduction
Whereas previous Criminal Justice statutes contain references to obsolete Law and have become out of date, and whereas some statutes are not entirely discursive of their subject matter, the Senate resolves to update and consolidate existing Criminal Justice Law.

Section 1: Crimes against Atlasia
The following shall be crimes against Atlasia:
1. The impersonation, or attempted impersonation, of another Atlas Forum member on the Atlas Forum.
2. The "hacking" or taking over control of another Atlas Forum members personal account without their permission.
3. Voter fraud, defined as the creation of identities other than ones primary identity in Atlasia and subsequently entering this identity into the tally of registered voters.
4. Posting pictures, other media, or links to the same of a pornographic nature on the boards provided for the purposes of Atlas Fantasy Elections.
5. Maliciously editing the AtlasWiki to remove legitimate content or create off-topic pages.
6. Posting threads on the boards provided for the purposes of Atlas Fantasy Elections of a sexual nature that contribute nothing to political or philosophical discussion.

Section 2: Punishment of Crimes against Atlasia
Sentencing of the crime shall be by the presiding Justice; He may use any combination of the following as punishment, depending upon the severity of the offense:
1. For offences described in Clauses 1 through 3 of Section 1:
          i. Up to a one year ban from voting in any Atlasian elections.
          ii. Up to two years ban from holding any office under the Republic of Atlasia.
2. For offences described in Clauses 4 through 6 of Section 1:
          i. Up to a two month ban from voting in any Atlasian elections.

Section 3: Acts of Treason
The following acts are hereby declared Acts of Treason:
1. Rebellion, defined as the use of military forces to overthrow the Federal or any Regional government of Atlasia.
2. Aiding of a rebellion, defined as the fully knowing and intentional direction of funds, military aid, or strategic advice to a person or group seeking to engage in rebellion.
3. Terrorism, defined as the unlawful or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating civilians and/or the federal and/or regional governments of Atlasia.
4. Destruction of a Voting Booth, defined as deleting the thread in which a voting booth, or absentee voting booth, for an active election is contained.

Section 4: Punishment of Acts of Treason
Sentencing of Acts of Treason shall be by the presiding Justice; He may use any combination of the following as punishment, depending upon the severity of the offense:
1. Up to a lifetime ban from voting in any Atlasian elections.
2. Up to a lifetime ban from holding any office under the Republic of Atlasia.

Section 5: Trial Rules
Trial of all these crimes and Acts of Treason shall be done in full compliance with the provisions of Article III, Section 2 of the Second Constitution.

Section 6: Admissibility of Evidence
The presiding Justice may admit the following as evidence of the crime at his own discretion:
1. The actual statements made on the Atlas Forum itself
2. Screenshots of the statements made.
3. A quotation of the statement in a post by another Atlas Forum user.
4. The testimony of forum users who viewed the statement itself.
5. An admission by the accused in a thread on the Atlas Forum, or in a place viewed or heard by multiple persons, with recordings or testimony attributing to the same.
6. Evidence obtained through investigation of the IP address from which the offence was perpetrated.
7. Evidence given to the Court by the Forum Moderators or the Forum Owner, Dave Leip obtained in their capacity in that position.

Section 7: Rights of the Defendant at Trial
1. The defendant shall not be denied access to adequate legal counsel in the form of an upstanding, active citizen of Atlasia. The defendant also has the right to waive their right to legal counsel. If the defendant requests legal counsel, but is unable to secure his own adequate legal counsel according to the stipulations above, the presiding Justice shall request the chief judicial officer of the Region which said Defendant resides in, to serve as legal counsel to represent the defense. The chief judicial officer of the Region shall have the right to refuse such a request.
2. If there is no chief judicial officer of said Region or if the chief judicial officer refuses this request, the Senior Senator of the Region shall be appointed as chief legal counsel, or if there is no Regional senator, the Senior Senator of the District in which Defendant resides in shall be appointed as chief legal counsel. If the Senior Senator of the Region or District, as stated above, and the Defendant are the same person, then the Junior Senator of the Region shall be appointed as chief legal counselor, or if there is no Regional senator, the Junior Senator of the District in which Defendant resides in shall be appointed as chief legal counsel.
3. For this clause, active citizen is defined as someone who voted in the last federal election and upstanding citizen is defined as someone who is presently, or who has previously, held elected office in Atlasia.
4. The defendant shall have the right to a speedy trial as defined in Article III, Section 2. In addition to this provision, the following section will be used as definition of a speedy trial:
          i. If a brief by the Plaintiff is not filed within one week (7 days) of the presiding Justice opening the trial against the defendant, the case will be dismissed and all charges will be dropped.
          ii. A one week (7 days) leniency period may be granted by the presiding Justice by request of the Plaintiff, but any further delays may not be granted by the presiding Justice, except in the case of grave illness or publicly announced absence from the forum.

Section 8: Right to Appeal[/o]
In addition to any Rights of Appeal the Supreme Court may find under the Constitution, the defendant retains the following statutory rights of appeal against their conviction:
1. Procedural Appeals
          i. Should the defendant wish to appeal his conviction on grounds of errors of procedure during the trial, he may do so to the full Supreme Court provided the appeal is filed within one month of conclusion of the trial.
          ii. If the Supreme Court does find errors of procedure in the trial, vacation of the conviction shall not be automatic, but at the discretion of the Supreme Court.
2. Substantive Appeals
          i. Should new evidence come to light, the defendant may appeal his conviction to the Supreme Court on the grounds that the evidence no longer supports his conviction or severity of his sentence.
          ii. In reviewing the appeal, the Supreme Court may refer the question of guilt to a new jury in a new trial (without vacating the original conviction).
          iii. The Supreme Court may also reduce the sentence if it determines that the severity of the offence is reduced in light of the new evidence.

Section 9: Repealed Legislation
The following Acts are repealed: Voter Fraud Act, Omnibus Criminal Law Act, and Treasonous Rebellion Act.

Child Labor Restriction Bill

Section 1: Applicability
1. This statute shall only apply in the District of Columbia and in federal territories which do not form part of any region.

Section 2: Definitions
1. The following definitions shall apply throughout this statute:
a.) A "school day" is defined as a day that contains more than two hours of classroom instruction.
b.) A "school week" is defined as any week (beginning noon Sunday) that contains two or more school days.
c.) "Work" is defined as receiving financial compensation for services rendered.

Section 3: Minors aged 15 to 17
1. Minors aged fifteen to seventeen years may not:
a.) Work more than 40 hours in a non-school week, and no more than 20 hours in a school week.
b.) Work more than 8 hours in a non-school day, and no more than 4 hours in a school day.
c.) Work more than 6 days in a non-school week, and no more than 4 days in a school week.

Section 4: Children aged less than 15
1. Employment of children aged less than fifteen years is prohibited, except those over the age of 13 years, who may work only as a newspaper carrier, and for no more than 10 hours in a week.

Section 5: Hours of Work
1. Employment of any person under the age of eighteen years between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. is prohibited.

Section 6: Type of Employment
1. Employment of minors in any place that sells alcohol, except a supermarket or other general provisions store, is prohibited.
2. Employment of minors in work that requires the use of heavy machinery is prohibited.
3. The Secretary of the Treasury may additionally prohibit employment of minors in certain jobs that it considers hazardous as he or she finds necessary.

Section 7: Penalties
1. Any employer in violation of Sections 3, 5 or 6 shall be fined between $500 and $1000 for each infraction.
2. Any employer in violation of Section 4 shall be fined between $2000 and $10000 for each infraction.

Section 8: Exemptions
1. Parents may employ their own children to work in the home or at the place of their own business, except in prohibited types of employment specified in Section 6.

Copyright Reform Bill

1. Copyrights shall not extend beyond the life of the work's author, or 25 years in case of a corporate authorship.
2. Existent copyrights shall either be removed if they do not meet the demands of this bill, or reduced accordingly.

Tax Increase Bill

1. All income up to $500,000 shall be subject to social security taxes.
2. Clause 5 of F.L. 11-6, National Sin Tax Act, is amended to read: "The taxes implemented by this act are an addition to, not an overriding of, any existing federal and regional taxes that are placed on the aforementioned products."
3. An estate tax is established. Each portion of the value of the estate shall be taxed at the following rates, with each rate corresponding to the tax rate on only the portion of the estate that falls in the appointed range:
a) $0-$5,000,000 – 0%
b) $5,000,001-$10,000,000 – 3%
c) $10,000,001-$17,500,000 – 4%
d) $17,500,001-$25,000,000 – 5%
e) $25,000,001-$50,000,000 – 7.5%
f) $50,000,001-$100,000,000 – 10%
g) $100,000,001 and above – 12.5%

I’ll introduce these Bills on behalf of the President:

Highways Bill

1. The federal fuel tax, the Federal Highway Trust Fund, and subsidies to mass transit programs are eliminated as of FY 2007.
2. The federal government shall no longer appropriate any funds for the construction and financing of highways.

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Rail and Airlines Bill

1. The Railway Labor Act of 1926 is repealed.
2. The Railway Retirement Act of 1934 is repealed.
3. There shall be no subsidies for airline companies or aircraft producers except those that are given for purposes of defense.
4. All federal legislation preventing airports from being privately owned or operated is repealed.
5. All federal legislation preventing foreign airlines from flying domestic routes in Atlasia is repealed.
6. The Jones Act is repealed.

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USPS Privatization Bill

1. The United States Postal Service is to be privatized through an auction.
2. The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to make any necessary rules and regulations relating to the privatization process.
3. The privatization of the USPS must be completed before the year 2007.
4. Upon the successful privatization of the USPS, all legal restrictions on the competitive delivery of mail are repealed.

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National Zoo Privatization Bill

1. The Smithsonian National Zoological Park (National Zoo) is to be privatized through an auction.
2. The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to make any necessary rules and regulations relating to the privatization process.
3. The privatization of the National Zoo must be completed before the year 2007.

'Hawk'

Under Article 1, Section 2, Clause 1 of the Second Constitution of Atlasia I hereby call for impeachment proceedings to begin against President Ebowed for comitting several acts of murder, most notably Southeast Governor Harry. 

Sponsored by Senator Earl A. Washburn (SDP-NY), co-sponsored by Senator jerusalemcar5 (SDP-ME)

AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF ATLASIA

The President of the Republic of Atlasia has under no circumstances
the right to relieve the duties of any elected official. The President
may not also have the have the power to relieve the duties any member
of the Supreme Court of Atlasia or any member of a regional court.
The President may not in his executive powers dismiss any Senator,
the Vice President or any elected member of the regions.

Resolution on the Middle East Conflict

Recognising that the security and stability of the Middle East is threatened by the current conflict between Hizbollah and Israel,

The Atlasian Senate hereby recognises that;
(1) the terrorist group, Hizbollah, is acting without legitimate cause or grievance;
(2) it is acting with the tacit support of the Syrian and Iranian governments;
(3) should this support continue the government of Atlasia should not stand idly by, but should actively support the state of Israel in dealing with this foreign aggression;
(4) while the state of Israel is entitled to be strong and secure within its borders, attacks on non-military targets, inflicting fatalities and serious injuries on foreign citizens, are actions contrary to generally recognised human rights and should be discontinued.

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If possible, I would request that this resolution be brought to the Senate floor as soon as possible.

I'll introduce this Bill on the behalf of the President:

Global Treaty Organization Bill

1. The Senate hereby approves the Global Treaty Organization formation treaty entered into on July 17, 2006 with the Governments of Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Germany, India, Japan, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions, and enforce such regulations, as may be necessary to implement the provisions of the treaty.
3. This Act shall have effect only with respect to those countries which have ratified or approved the treaty, and which continue to comply with its provisions.

'Hawk'

Military Modernization and Readiness Bill

Recognizing that the age of mutually assured destruction and massive stockpiles of nuclear weapons has ended, and recognizing that future wars will depend on rapid deployment of Atlasian assets overseas, the Senate resolves that;

1. Four additional SSBN-726 Ohio Class submarines will be converted to SSGN-726 standard by the end of FY2010. The cost for this program is $1,600 million, spread out over three years. The Senate appropriates $400 million in FY2007 and FY2008 to conversions of the first two boats, and $800 million in FY2009 to cover the conversions of the second two boats.

2. Atlasia shall purchase 80 Boeing-767 aircraft and lease an additional 20 Boeing-767 from the Boeing Corp. and convert them to KC-767 Tanker specification by the end of FY2010. The total cost of the program shall be $22.4 billion, $7.4 billion in FY2007, and an additional $5 billion in FY2008, FY2009, and FY2010.

3. Atlasia shall purchase 42 C-17 aircraft from the Boeing Corp. with production ending in FY2010. The total cost of the program shall be $5.9 billion, $1.9 billion in FY2007, and an additional $1.0 billion in FY2008 through FY2011.

Actual Free Trade Bill

1. Section 3, F.L. 13-10 is hereby repealed.
2. Section 3, F.L. 13-11 is hereby repealed.
3. Section 3, F.L. 13-12 is hereby repealed.
4. Section 3, F.L. 13-19 is hereby repealed.
5. Section 3, F.L. 13-20 is hereby repealed.
6. Section 2 & 4, F.L. 13-23 is hereby repealed, and the sections are renumbered to reflect the above changes.
7. Section 3, F.L. 14-4 is hereby repealed.
8. Section 3, F.L. 14-5 is hereby repealed.

Atlasian-Philippines Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and the Philippines.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

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And I'll sponsor Captain Vlad's bill.

I, hereby, introduce this Bill on behalf of the Secretary of State

Irish Paramilitary Bill

1a. It shall be deemed illegal for any citizen or group to knowingly and willingly provide or furnish with money, financial assistance and or aid, weaponry of all natures, goods of all natures and manpower, to any 'nationalist' and or 'unionist' paramilitary organisation operating within or out with Northern Ireland or the Irish Republic.

b. It shall be deemed illegal for any citizen or group to knowingly and or willingly harbour, offer sanctuary or to wilfully protect members of any 'nationalist' and or 'unionist' paramilitary organisation operating within or out with Northern Ireland or the Irish Republic.

c. It shall be deemed illegal to provide any of the aformentioned assistance to any 'political organisation and or front' part of, or allied to any nationalist' and or 'unionist' paramilitary organisation.

2a. The term 'nationalist', as used within this bill shall refer to organisations including but not restricted to; the Irish Republican Army, the Real Irish Republican Army and the Irish National Liberation Army.

b.  The term 'unionist', as used within this bill shall refer to organisations including, but not restricted to; the Loyalist Volunteer Force, the Ulster Defence Association and the Ulster Volunteer Force.

c. The term 'political organisation and or front', as used within this bill shall refer to organisations including, but not restricted to, Sinn Fein, the Irish Republican Socialist Party and the Progressive Unionist Party.

3. It shall be the responsibility of the Secretary of State to maintain and update a list of 'nationalist', 'unionist' and 'political organisations and or front(s)' that are covered by this Act.

'Hawk'

Atlasian-Djibouti Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Djibouti.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

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Atlasian-Ethiopia Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Ethiopia.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

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Atlasian-Kenya Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Kenya.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

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Atlasian-Tanzania Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Tanzania.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

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Atlasian-Egypt Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Egypt.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

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Atlasian-Namibia Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Namibia.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

Atlasian-Botswana Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Botswana.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

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Atlasian-Mali Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Mali.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

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Atlasian-Gabon Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Gabon.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

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Atlasian-Benin Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Benin.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

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Atlasian-Ghana Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Ghana.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

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Atlasian-Senegal Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Senegal.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

Repeal of the DDT Re-Introduction Act Bill

The DDT Re-Introduction Act (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/DDT_Re-Introduction_Act) is hereby repealed.

I forgot these two, they're the last:


Atlasian-Kuwait Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Kuwait.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

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Atlasian-Iraq Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Iraq.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

Atlasian-Peoples Republic of China Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and the Peoples Republic of China.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this bill.

Impeachment of Vice President Q

By his prolonged absence from the office of Vice President of Atlasia, Q has failed in his duties of office. Since 17 July 2006, he has been inactive in Atlasia, causing undue delay to Senate business. In order to attain an active replacement, impeachment and removal from office is necessary and so brought forth.

Cabinet Restructuring Bill

1. Article VIII, Section 2, Clause 1 is replaced with:

These Executive Departments are hereby established: Forum Affairs, Defense and Foreign Affairs, and Domestic Affairs. The Principal Officer of the Department of Forum Affairs shall be a Secretary, and the Principal Officer of the other departments shall be the Vice President.

2. Any mention of "Attorney General" in Atlasian Law shall be replaced with "Secretary of Forum Affairs".

3. Any mention of "Secretary of Defense", "Secretary of State", or Secretary of Treasury" shall be replaced with "Vice President".

4. Any mention of "Justice Department" shall be replaced with "Department of Forum Affairs".

5. The mention of "Attorney General" in Article VIII, Section 2, Clause 4 shall be replaced with "Vice President".

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I think that should do it.

I don't know the appropriateness or otherwise of the following, but I do believe the issue of the GM to be of great importance. In my opinion the existence of an active GM would go a long way toward the rehabilitation of Atlasia.

GM Resolution

Whereas the Senate recognises the importance of an active GM in Atlasia,
Recognising that that current GM, Atlasia World News, has not maintained an adequate level of activity,
The Senate hereby calls for the President to officialy act towards putting in place a new and active GM, for the good of Atlasia.

Restriction of Child Labor Bill

Section 1: Applicability
1. This statute shall only apply in the District of Columbia and in federal territories which do not form part of any region.

Section 2: Definitions
1. The following definitions shall apply throughout this statute:
a.) A "school day" is defined as a day that contains more than two hours of classroom instruction.
b.) A "school week" is defined as any week (beginning noon Sunday) that contains two or more school days.
c.) "Work" is defined as receiving financial compensation for services rendered.

Section 3: Minors aged 15 to 17
1. Minors aged fifteen to seventeen years may not:
a.) Work more than 40 hours in a non-school week, and no more than 25 hours in a school week.
b.) Work more than 8 hours in a non-school day, and no more than 5 hours in a school day.
c.) Work more than 6 days in a non-school week, and no more than 4 days in a school week.

Section 4: Children aged less than 15
1. Employment of children aged less than fifteen years is prohibited, except those over the age of 13 years, who may work only as a newspaper carrier, and for no more than 10 hours in a week.

Section 5: Hours of Work
1. Employment of any person under the age of eighteen years between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. is prohibited.

Section 6: Type of Employment
1. Employment of minors in any place that sells alcohol, except a supermarket or other general provisions store, is prohibited.
2. Employment of minors in work that requires the use of heavy machinery is prohibited.
3. The Secretary of the Treasury may additionally prohibit employment of minors in certain jobs that it considers hazardous as he or she finds necessary.

Section 7: Penalties
1. Any employer in violation of Sections 3, 5 or 6 shall be fined between $500 and $100 for each infraction.
2. Any employer in violation of Section 4 shall be fined between $2000 and $10000 for each infraction.

Constitutional Amendment on removing the Vice President
That the following shall be added as Article II, Section 3, Clause 6 of the Constitution:
"Whenever the President and a two-thirds majority of the Senate sign a declaration that the Vice President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the office of the Vice President shall immediately be deemed vacant."

Could someone introduce this for me?

Atlasia Revitalization Act

1. The Vice President, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, one Governor as chosen by all five, and two citizens appoints by the President shall make up the Atlasian Revitalization Committee.

2. The purpose of the said committee shall be to research and draw up a comprehensive plan in order to revitalize Atlasia through new citizens and more active participation in ways including but not limited to the following: advertising on other political forums, relations with other micronations, and restructuring Atlasia to create a more fun atmosphere.

3. The Atlasian Revitalization Committee shall deliver its findings to the Senate of Atlasia.

TD, because you are in my district, I will formally introduce the legislation for you..... I have made a minor revision or two, but have not changed the spirit of the bill.

Atlasia Revitalization Act

1. The Vice President, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, one Governor as chosen out of the five, and two citizens appointed by the President shall make up the Atlasian Revitalization Committee.

2. The purpose of the said committee shall be to research and draw up a comprehensive plan in order to revitalize Atlasia through new citizens and more active participation in ways including but not limited to the following: advertising on other political forums, relations with other micronations,  to create a better atmosphere for all.

3. The Atlasian Revitalization Committee shall deliver its findings to the Senate of Atlasia. Upon which time, the Senate will deliberate on the committee's findings, and designate a proper solution.

Could this be moved to the top?  I believe it's pretty urgent, plus it's forum affairs legislation.

Can you keep this kind of thing in the Senate Protest and Analysis Thread please?

'Hawk'

Assuming the passage of the Cabinet Restructuring Bill, I present the following bills for the consideration of the Senate.

Line of Succession (Amendment) Act

(A)
The Line of Succession Act (F.L. 6-5) is hereby repealed.

(B)
The presidential line of succession shall be in the following order:
1. Vice President of Atlasia
2. Secretary of Forum Affairs
3. Secretary of External Affairs
4. Attorney General
5. President Pro Tempore of the Senate
6. Dean of the Senate
7. Each Senator in order of longest continuous service
8. Chief Justice of the Atlasian Supreme Court
9. Senior Associate Justice of the Atlasian Supreme Court
10. Junior Associate Justice of the Atlasian Supreme Court
11. Each of the Governors in order of longest continuous service

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Constitutional Amendment on the Removal of the President

Article II, Section 3, Clause 5 of the Constitution is amended to read as follows:
Whenever the Vice President and a two-thirds majority of the Senate sign a declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President. Thereafter the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office upon his declaration that he is capable of discharging the said powers and duties, or when the Vice President and Senate annul their previous declaration.

Airline Protection Bill

1. No airline may receive federal subsidies in any circumstance.
2. Atlasian airlines are free to operate domestic routes at their discretion, and may terminate them at any time without notice.
3. If an airline wishes to fly an international route, it is subject to any restrictions regarding air travel between that country and Atlasia.
4. No foreign individual or corporation may own more than 49% of an airline registered in Atlasia.
5. No foreign airline may operate domestic routes in Atlasia.

Atlasian Unemployment Bill

1. The Atlasian Government pledges to keep a goal of less than 3.5% of the population unemployed.

2. The Atlasian Government, to combat the problem of unemployment, will create Public Works projects to spur competition, and attempt to tide unemployment.

3. The Atlasian Government will provide tax incentives to small business owners who employ ten people or more in times of employment crisis.

4. The Atlasian Government will pay a fixed salary for Public Works projects, determined by the Senate and approved by the President, but it is to be no lower than the current Nyman D.C. minimum wage.

Constitutional Amendment Removing Presidential Term Limits

That Article II, Section 3, Clause 3 of the Constitution shall be removed and subsequent clauses shall be renumbered accordingly.

Illegal Alien Employment Bill

1) A proof of citizenship is to be required to gain employment in Atlasia.

2) Employers who knowingly employee illegal aliens are to pay a fine of $5000 and/or spend a minimum of three years in jail.

3) Employers that knowingly accept stolen social security numbers and/or other fraudulent  documentation are to be charged with fraud and sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in prison.

4) Sections 2 & 3 of this Act shall not become operative until 30 September 2007.

I was glancing at the Constitution and noticed Article II, Section 3, Clause 1 (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Article_II_of_the_Second_Constitution#Section_3:_Vacancy_and_Incapacity_of_the_Presidency_or_Vice_Presidency):
"If the Presidency shall ever fall vacant, the Vice President shall become President. If the Vice Presidency is also vacant, then the Senate President pro tempore shall become President. The Senate may provide by Law for the vacancy of the Senate President pro tempore also."

It would thus seem that the recent Line of Succession (Amendment) Act is unconstitutional insofar as it demotes the PPT in the succession. I can only apologise for failing to notice this provision earlier.

It would seem that two options are open a constitutional amendment or a statutary replacement. Given the hurdles a constitutional amendment poses, I have opted to send a new bill to the Senate.

Once agian, I offer my sincere apologies to the Senate for the oversight.

Line of Sucession (Amendment No. 2) Act
(A)
The Line of Succession Act (F.L. 15-6) is hereby repealed.

(B)
The presidential line of succession shall be in the following order:
1. Vice President of Atlasia
2. Secretary of Forum Affairs
3. President Pro Tempore of the Senate
4. Secretary of External Affairs
5. Attorney General
6. Dean of the Senate
7. Each Senator in order of longest continuous service
8. Chief Justice of the Atlasian Supreme Court
9. Senior Associate Justice of the Atlasian Supreme Court
10. Junior Associate Justice of the Atlasian Supreme Court
11. Each of the Governors in order of longest continuous service

Resolution on Trade Bills

1. That no more than two trade bills should be laid before the Senate at any time when a sufficient quantity of other legislation exists to fill up the remaining slots available for debate.

2. The determination of what constitutes a trade bill shall be within the powers of the PPT, though his decision may be challenged when 2 Senators motion such, and overturned by a majority of the Senate.

I'm pre-filing these four bills for the Sixteenth Senate.  The fourth is primarily intended for fun, as I'm not serious about it, but it certainly should provide for a few sparks and sputters of righteous indignation.

Commercial Transportation of Livestock and Poultry Act

§1. Findings
   (a) The treatment of livestock and poultry during transport affects their value in interstate commerce.
   (b) It would be in the general welfare to ensure that livestock and poultry are treated humanely during transport so as to enhance their economic value.

§2. Definitions
   In this Act:
      (1) Commercial transportation
      The term "commercial transportation" means the regular operation for profit of a transport business that uses trucks, tractors, trailers, or semitrailers, or any combination thereof, propelled or drawn by mechanical power on any highway or public road.
      (2) Customarily raised as a domesticated animal for the purpose of slaughter
      The term "customarily raised as a domesticated animal for the purpose of slaughter" means that at least one of the following conditions is met:
         (A) at least 50 percent of the economic value of such species in Atlasia results from its slaughter and the resulting products,
         (B) at least 50 percent of the members thereof in Atlasia are slaughtered for economic use, or
         (C) the total economic value resulting from the slaughter of such species in Atlasia exceeds $50,000,000.
      (3) Livestock
      The term "livestock" means any member of a species of the class Mammalia customarily raised as a domesticated animal for the purpose of slaughter, regardless of whether the individal member is being raised for slaughter or for other purposes.
      (4) Person
      The term "person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, or cooperative association that regularly engages in the commercial transportation of livestock or poultry.
      (5) Poultry
      The term "poultry" means any member of a species of the class Aves customarily raised as a domesticated animal for the purpose of slaughter, regardless of whether the individal member is being raised for slaughter or for other purposes.   

§3. Regulation of Commercial Transportation of Livestock and Poultry
   (a) In General
   Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary of Agriculture may issue guidelines for the regulation of the commercial transportation of livestock or poultry by persons regularly engaged in that activity within the United States.
   (b) Issues for Review
   In carrying out this section, the Secretary of Agriculture shall review the food, water, and rest provided to livestock or poultry in transit, the segregation of males from other animals during transit, and such other issues as the Secretary considers appropriate.
   (c) Species Specific Regulations
   In carrying out this section, the Secretary of Agriculture may specify different rules for different species of livestock or poultry where differences in behavior warrant specific treatment.  No regulation issued under this Act shall specify different rules for different breeds of the same species.
   (d) Additional Authority
   In carrying out this section, the Secretary of Agriculture may -
      (1) require any person to maintain such records and reports pertaining to the commercial transportation of livestock or poultry as the Secretary considers necessary;
      (2) conduct such investigations into and inspections of the commercial transportation of livestock or poultry as the Secretary considers necessary; and
      (3) establish and enforce appropriate and effective civil penalties for failure to comply with this Act or the regulations promulgated thereunder.

§4. Repeal and Savings of Existing Law
   (a) Pub. L. 104-127, title IX, subtitle A, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1184 [7 U.S.C. 1901 note] providing for the regulation of the commercial transportation of equines for slaughter is repealed as of the passage of this Act.
   (b) Regulations previously issued by the Secretary of Agriculture under the law repealed by subsection (a) shall continue in force as if issued under this Act.

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Don't Cry For Me Atlasia Act

§1. Repeal
The Onion Futures Act (Pub. L. 85-839, Aug. 28, 1958, 72 Stat. 1013 [7 U.S.C. 13-1]) which prohibits trading in future contracts on onions is hereby repealed.

§2. Conforming amendment
The text "except onions as provided in section 13-1 of this title," is stricken from section 1a of the Commodity Exchange Act [7 U.S.C. 1a].

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Don't Feed The Birds Act

§1. Findings
   (a) Current policy, as emobodied in the Farm Subsidies Abolition Act (F.L. 9-13) is in the process of reducing or eliminating subsisdies for farmers.
   (b) Such policy is reducing the stocks of surplus grain acquired by the Commodity Credit Corporation as part of its price support operations that are available for various other purposes.
   (c) The use of such surplus grain for the feeding of certain migratory waterfowl under certain circumstances acts as a distortion of the price of grain in the Atlasian economy, and a less than optimal use of available funds.

§2. Repeals
   (a) The Act of July 3, 1956 (70 Stat. 492) [7 U.S.C. 442 to 445] providing for grain acquired by the Commodity Credit Corporation as part of its price support operations to be provided to the Secretary of the Interior to prevent migratory waterfowl depredations on farmer's crops by luring them away from such crops is repealed as of the end of the fiscal year in which this Act is enacted.  Funds appropriated under section 4 of the Act of July 3, 1956 [7 U.S.C. 445] shall remain available until the end of the current fiscal year.
   (b) Pub. L. 87-152 (70 Stat. 492) [7 U.S.C. 447 to 449] providing for grain acquired by the Commodity Credit Corporation as part of its price support operations to be provided to the States for the purpose of meeting emergency situations caused by adverse weather conditions or other factors destructive of important wildlife resources, the States are authorized, upon the request of the State fish and game authority or other State agency having similar authority and a finding by the Secretary of the Interior that any area of the Republic of Atlasia is threatened with serious damage or loss to resident game birds and other resident wildlife from starvation is repealed as of the end of the fiscal year in which this Act is enacted.  Funds appropriated under section 3 of Pub. L. 87-152 [7 U.S.C. 449] shall remain available until the end of the fiscal year.

Withdrawn, we have enough on the calendar without debating a bill that is purely silly:
Draka Illegal Immigration and Labor Act

§1. Findings and purpose
   (a) Findings
   The Senate of Atlasia finds that:
      (1) There are currently over 10 million illegal immigrants in the Republic of Atlasia.
      (2) Previous efforts to tackle the problem of illegal immigration have foundered due to the desire to continue making use of the cheap labor such existing immigrants afford while at the same time providing sanctions that discourage future illegal immigration.
   (b) Purpose
   The purpose of this Act is to tackle the problems found in subsection (a)(2) in an innovative and radical manner that will ensure that Atlasia has dominion over its borders.

§2. Penalty
   A person, upon conviction in a court of Atlasia for having violated the immigration laws of the Republic of Atlasia, either by being an illegal immigrant or by knowingly providing assistance to illegal immigrants to enter or remain in the Republic of Atlasia, shall have the following penalties imposed:
       (1) All assets or sources of income possessed by said person, including trusts, shall be forfeited to the Republic of Atlasia.  Any leins against or transfers of said assets or sources of income occuring prior to the earliest of -
         (A) the date of arrest of said person,
         (B) the date of a warrant being issued against said person for a violation of the immigration laws of the Republic of Atlasia punishable under this section, or
         (C) the date of conviction of said person,
      shall be honored to the extent that assets or sources of income forfeited under this subparagraph may satisfy such leins while any occuring on or after said date shall be null and void.
      (2) If the person be an individual over the age of 12 as of the date mentioned in paragraph (1), said individual shall be bound over for permanent indentured servitude under section 3.
      (3) If the person be an individual of age 12 or younger as of the date mentioned in paragraph (1), said individual shall be deported to their country of origin, to be placed with a responsible guardian in accordance with the laws of said country.

§3. New slaves
   (a) To insure that permanent indentured servants are easily identifiable, new permanent indentured servants shall have an RFID chip implanted in their body.
   (b) To insure that no children are born to permanent indentured servants, new permanent indentured servants shall be surgically sterilized.
   (c) Contracts for new permanent indentured servants shall be disposed of in the same manner as surplus property under subtitle I of title 40 of the United States Code.

§4. Servant Code
   The Secretary of Labor shall within 180 days of the passage of this Act promulgate a Servant Code.  Such Code shall specify -
      (1) minimum standards of food, shelter, clothing, and working conditions a contractor must provide a servant,
      (2) the maximum level of discipline that a contractor may use to punish a servant that fails to obey,
      (3) penalties, consistent with penalties imposed for similar offenses under title 18 of the United States Code, for violations of the Servant Code, whether by a contractor, a servant, or a third party, and
      (4) such other rules and regulations as the Secretary determines are needful for an effective system of servant management.

§5. Effective date
   This Act shall come into force the later of -
      (1) 90 days after the passage of this Act, or
      (2) 30 days after final promulgation of the Servant Code under section 4.

Resolution on Senate Procedure

1. The Senate's consideration of legislation shall not be unduly interupted by the official end of the Senate term and the introduction of new Senators. There shall be no need to deem legislation expired.

2. Any new Senator may change the vote of his/her predecessor unless the time for allowing the changing of votes has passed. If no change is made, the vote of the outgoing Senator shall remain valid.

3. From the beginning of the new Senate term, the President of the Senate shall preside over all Senate business until a PPT is elected. In any matters which require the assent of both the President of the Senate and the PPT which arise during the period before the PPT has been elected, the Dean of the Senate shall be empowered to give assent in place of the PPT.

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GM Bill

1. The President shall appoint the GM, with the advice and consent of the Senate.

2. The GM may be removed by the agreement of the President and the majority of the Senate.

Might as well introduce this before I leave office since I supported it in the first place.

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Amendment to Allow the Senate to Set a Minimum Wage

The Senate shall have power to set a minimum wage, as it deems necessary throughout the Republic of Atlasia.

Might as well use the liberal Senate to do something usefull.

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Fixing of Peter Bell’s Mistake Bill

The Asbestos Ban Amendment Act (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Asbestos_Ban_Amendment_Act) is hereby repealed and the Asbestos Ban Act (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Asbestos_Ban_Act) is hereby restored in full.

Yet another pre-file.  To save space (It would have taken 7 posts given the 10,000 char limit), I'm not giving it as an organic piece of legislation, but in reference to a portion of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 that passed the U.S. Senate, but not the House.

Unlawful Employment of Aliens Reform Act

§1. Findings
   (a) There is an urgent need to ensure that Atlasian employers hire only Atlasian nations and those aliens legally admitted for employment.
   (b) Enhancing the system for the checking of documentation of employees by employers will help satisfy that need.

§2. Unlawful Employment of Aliens
   Except that any reference to a specific year or date not determined in relation to the date of enactment shall be instead treated as a reference to a year or date one year later than the one currently in such text, Title III (Unlawful Employment of Aliens) of S.2611 (109th Congress), as engrossed by the U.S. Senate, shall be enacted as law.

Here's my first attempt at legislation:

Legalization and Licensing of Online Gambling Act

1. The Federal Government shall be permitted to grant licenses to online gambling enterprises based in Atlasia or any overseas territories.
2. Atlasian citizens shall be permitted to gamble on internet sites, whether Atlasian or foreign based, and banks shall be permitted to handle financial transfers to such sites that are not proscribed by the State Department.
3. The State Department shall have the right to proscribe and ban monetary transfers to online gambling enterprises in countries under sanction, or ones that are proven to have links to terrorist or criminal organizations.

Just a note to flag that I've amended my Senate Procedure resolution slightly.

Something to consider...

Constitutional Amendment on the Budget

That Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution shall be removed.

Federal Activity Requirements Revision Act

§1. Amendment of section 14
The number "25" in section 14 of the Consolidated Electoral System Reform Act (F.L. 14-2) shall read "10".

§2.  Effective date
This Act shall be effective for any election for which the period of casting absentee ballots begins after the date of the passage of this Act.

Withdrawn, we have enough to do without engaging in pure sillyness:
Cucumber Protection Act

§1. Findings
(a) As evidenced by documentary footage (http://www.weebls-stuff.com/toons/cucumbers/), pandas are the cucumber's enemy.
(b) Bognor Regis has been able to encourage cucumber cultivation by establishing panda free zones.

§2. Panda Free Atlasia
(a) Pandas shall be allowed in Atlasia only as part of an animal exhibition offered by an exhibitor licensed under section 3 of the Animal Welfare Act [7 U.S.C. 2133].
(b) As a condition of such license the exhibitor must agree to keep their pandas away from all cucumbers.

I have withdrawn the Draka Illegal Immigration and Labor Act and the Cucumber Protection Act  I might reintroduce them once we get Atlasia back on a healthy footing, but for now, they just clog the calendar.

I do have a new Act to propose, and I would hope that it could be advanced up the calendar as important legislation, as it would impact upon our new GM if adopted.

Atlasia - America Synchronization Act

§1. Findings
The Senate of Atlasia finds that:
(a) The Republic of Atlasia was established primarily to be an election simulation in the context of the politics of the United States of America.
(b) To that end, a correspondence between the characteristics of the Republic of Atlasia and the United States of America is desirable, except where a difference has been intentionally adopted.
(c) Because of the limitations of time and the number of players, these characteristics have diverged without any explict intent to have them do so.
(d) These differences form a barrier to new players by adding to the learning curve of the game.

§2. Purpose
The Senate of Atlasia intends that this Act should reduce the unintended differences between the Republic of Atlasia and the United States of America.

§3. Public Laws of the United States
(a) Subject to subsection (c), the public laws of the United States of America adopted during the First through Fourteenth Senates of Atlasia shall be adopted as laws of Atlasia.
(b) Beginning with the Sixteenth Senate and subject to subsection (c). at the close of each session of the Atlasia Senate, the public laws of the United States of America during the previous Senate of Alasia shall be adopted as laws of Atlasia.
(c) In subsections (a) and (b), the public laws of the United States of America passed during certain sessions of the Senate of Atlasia shall not be adopted where they are -
    (1) invalid under the constitution of Atlasia, or
    (2) contradict the laws passed by the Senate of Atlasia.

§4.  International events and condidtions
     The policies and economies of countries other than the Republic of Atlasia shall generally be reset to those existing in the real world at the time a new Game Moderator is appointed.  Where differences between in-game and real-world policies and economies directly as a result of differences in the foreign and trade policies of the Republic of Atlasia and the United States of America, the Game Moderator may allow those differences to continue to exist, but shall report as soon as possible after becoming Game Moderator a list of those differences.

§5. Domestic events and conditions
    The policies of Atlsaia shall be those adopted by the Republic of Atlasia.  The economy of Atlasia and the policy of non-governmental organizations of Atlasia should be based as closely as possible upon those of the United States of America, with the Game Moderator reporting on any differences as soon as possible a list of those differences.

§6. Timeliness of reports
(a) The Game Moderator is urged to provide the reports requested under sections 4 and 5 within one month of taking office so that the government of the Republic of Atlasia can react appropriately to such events.
(b) The Game Moderator may amend the reports requested under sections 4 and 5 if in doing so, he is able to provide greater detail of the world geopolitical and economic situation.  He should avoid amendments that change the world geopolitical and economic situation except where a policy of Atlsaia as embodied in law is brought to his attention and the amendments are as a result of that attention.

Yet another defense related bill.  This one also saves some money as well as spends it, though I admit to not having precise numbers for either.

Naval Construction and Operations Act of 2007

§1. Indian Ocean home port
   (a) Findings
      (1) The Senate finds that the operation of naval vessels in the Indian Ocean and the littoral seas thereof on an ongoing basis is certain given the situation in the foreseeable future.
      (2) The Senate further finds that establishing an overseas home port for a carrier battle group in the Indian Ocean would enhance the availability and readiness of naval forces operating in the Indian Ocean and the littoral seas thereof.
      (3) The Senate further finds that existing port facilities utilized by the Atlasian Navy located in the Indian Ocean and the littoral seas thereof are inadequate to host the home port of a carrier battle group.
   (b) Negotiations
   The Secretary of External Affairs is directed to undertake negotiations with the members of the Global Treaty Organization (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Global_Treaty_Organization) abutting the Indian ocean concerning either the construction of new facilities or the usage or expansion of existing facilities to be used as a home port for a carrier battle group for a period of not less than twenty-five years.  In conducting such negotiations, the Secretary shall take into consideration -
      (1) the relative costs of utilizing proposed home ports,
      (2) the availability. cost, and quality of facilities for the use the dependents of naval personnel assigned either to the home port itself or to ships assigned to the home port, and
      (3) the possibility of colocating in the vicinity of the home port of the carrier battle group a base to support at least one Marine Expeditionary Unit and its supporting units and ships.
   (c) Timetable
      (1) The Secretary of External Affairs is directed to provide the Senate with an estimate of the costs, including fees paid to the host country for the right to use such a home port, of establishing and operating such a home port no later than December 31, 2007.
      (2) The Secretary of External Affairs is directed to plan for the initial operations of the Indian Ocean home port called for in this section no later than December 31, 2009.
   (d) Establishment
   Establishment of an Indian Ocean home port for a carrier battle group shall be contingent upon -
      (1) the ratification of a treaty allowing such a home port by the Senate of Atlasia and the government of the host country, and
      (2) the appropriation of funds by the Senate of Atlasia to implement the treaty and the construction and operation of the home port.

§2. Carrier Battle Groups
   (a) Findings
   The Senate finds that the number of carrier battle groups operated by the Atlasian Navy is in excess of current needs.
   (b) Reduction
      (1) The Secretary of External Affairs is directed to reduce the number of carrier battle groups in commission from twelve to eleven no later than December 31, 2008.
      (2) The Secretary of External Affairs is further directed to reduce the number of carrier battle groups in commission from eleven to ten no later than the later of -
         (A) December 31, 2010, or
         (B) one year after the date of initial operations an Indian Ocean home port for a carrier battle group.
   (c) CVN 65
   In addition to the carriers needed by the carrier battle groups, the Secretary of External Affairs is authorized to retain CVN 65 Enterprise in commission as a training carrier.  Once assigned to duty as a training carrier, the Secretary shall report annually on the relative costs of operating her as a training carrier compared to the costs of decomissioning her and her eight nuclear reactors and utilizing other training facilities instead.

§3. Carrier Construction
   Due to the reduction in the number of carrier battle groups called for in sections 2, the Secretary of External Affairs is directed to delay the construction of the first of the CVN 21 carriers so that the initial commissioning occurs in FY 2018 instead of FY 2015, and further directed to delay construction so that initial commissioning occurs in FY 2021 if the number of carrier battle groups is reduced to ten.

§4. Command Ships
   The Secretary of External Affairs is directed to undertake a design study for a new class of command ships to replace the elderly Blue Ridge-class vessels, with a goal of constructing three command ships, entering commission in FY 2011, 2012, and 2013.  $50,000,000 is appropriated to conduct the design study.

§5. Amphibious Assault Ships
   The Secretary of External Affairs is directed to name the first four ships of the LHA 6 class as LHA 6 Hornet, LHA 7 Shangri-La, LHA 8 Ranger, and LHA 9 Intrepid.

§6. Landing Platform Docks
   (a) $2,000,000,000 is authorized to be appropriated to build three additional San Antonio-class LPD's to be delivered in FY 2012, 2013, and 2014 respectively,
   (b) The Secretary of External Affairs is directed to name the three ships authorized by this section LPD 26 Charleston, LPD 27 Wilmington, and LPD 28 Savannah.

§7. Dry cargo ships
   (a) Naming
   The Secretary of External Affairs is directed to name the sixth Lewis and Clark class ship T-AKE 6 John W. Powell, the seventh T-AKE 7 William L. Herndon, the eighth T-AKE 8 Robert Gray, the ninth T-AKE 9 Charles Wilkes, the tenth T-AKE 10 Edmund Fanning, and the eleventh T-AKE 11 Charles W. Beebe.
   (b) Cancellation of unneeded ships due to CBG reduction
   The twelfth Lewis and Clark class ship is canceled, and the eleventh shall not be ordered before January 1, 2008 and may be ordered only if a treaty providing for the lease of an Indian Ocean home port for a carrier battle group is not signed by the President by that date.

§8. Double hulled oilers
   (a) Construction
   To permit the retirement of older single hull oilers and bring the Atlasian Navy's takers into compliance with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, there is authorized to be appropriated $100,000,000 each for the construction of thirteen double-hulled versions of the Henry J. Kaiser class oiler as follows:
      (1) 1 tanker is authorized for FY 2007 and $100,000,000 is appropriated for such construction,
      (2) 2 tankers are authorized for FY 2008,
      (3) 2 tankers are authorized for FY 2009,
      (4) 2 tankers are authorized for FY 2010,
      (5) 3 tankers are authorized for FY 2011, and
      (6) 3 tankers are authorized for FY 2012.
   (b) Excess appropriations to be used to pay for dismantling of obsolete oilers
   Appropriations in excess of the purchase price of the oilers acquired pursuant to subsection (a) shall be used to pay for the dismantling in Atlasian shipyards of mothballed single-hulled oilers in excess of mobilization needs.

§9. Destroyers
   The DDX program is ordered suspended with no funds to be paid for further construction of the two lead ships pending a review of needs for destroyers by the Atlasian Navy in light of the reduction of the numbers of carrier battle groups.

§10. Frigates
   The Secretary of External Affairs is directed to reduce the number of frigates in commission to 24 Flight II Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates by no later than September 30, 2008.

§11. Submarines
   (a) Los Angeles class
      (1) The Secretary of External Affairs is directed to cancel all refueling of non-VLS Los Angeles class submarines.
      (2) The Secretary of External Affairs is directed to decommission at least two non-VLS Los Angeles class submarines and to enter them in the Ship-Submarine Recycling Program each fiscal year beginning in FY 2008.
   (b) Virginia class
      (1) The Secretary of External Affairs is directed to name the sixth Virgina class submarine SSN 779 New Mexico, the seventh SSN 780 Delaware, and the eighth SSN 781 South Carolina.
      (2) The Secretary of External Affairs is directed to cancel the ninth Virginia class submarine.
   (c) AIP Submarine
      (1) The Senate finds that Atlasia is likely to have a continuing need for submarine patrols in the Persian Gulf and other littoral waters for the foreseeable future and that the use of smaller less-expensive air independent propulsion (AIP) submarines is a more cost effective solution for sustained operations in shallow littoral waters than the use of current SSN's.
      (2) The Secretary of External Affairs is directed to acquire at at a total cost of no more than $2,100,000,000 six AIP's similar to the Type U212A of the Deutsche Marine, with 1 to enter commission in in each of FY 2010 through 2015.
      (3) Preference in granting a contract shall be given to construction in Atlasian shipyards, but if the timetable and cost requirements of paragraph (2) can only be met by construction in a foreign shipyard of a NATO ally, the Secretary of External Affairs is directed to enter into a contract with such a shipyard for any or all of the six submarines called for in this subsection.
      (4) The Secretary of External Affairs is directed to name the six submarines called for in this subsection as follows: Torpedo, Numbfish, Skate, Stingray, Manta, and Whipray.

The STFU/GTFO Resolution

1. Only officials of the Federal Government may comment on floor hearings, including bills and nominations.
2. Appointees may comment during their own hearings, but not those of other appointees.
3. Non-officials who comment on floor hearings may be subject to punishment as deemed necessary and sufficient by the Atlasian Senate.

A bit of emergency legislation here:

November-December Act
December 1, 2006 is hereby renamed November 31, 2006.

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This would have the effect of delaying the upcoming election a week so as to give the governors time to quickly finish redistricting, as it would make December 15, 2006 the second Friday of December.

Given the sentiments expressed by the administration and the Senate, I have withdrawn the following Bills:

Atlasian-Ethiopia Free Trade Bill
Atlasian-Kenya Free Trade Bill
Atlasian-Tanzania Free Trade Bill
Atlasian-Namibia Free Trade Bill
Atlasian-Botswana Free Trade Bill
Atlasian-Mali Free Trade Bill
Atlasian-Gabon Free Trade Bill
Atlasian-Benin Free Trade Bill
Atlasian-Ghana Free Trade Bill
Atlasian-Senegal Free Trade Bill

I've retained the Atlasian-Egyptian, Atlasian-Kuwait and Atlasian-Iraq Free Trade Bills for geo-political/strategic reasons

'Hawk'

Constitutional Amendment on Voter Registration and Voting Rules

Clause 6 of Section 2, Article V is hereby repealed

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Something to consider :)

'Hawk'

A longer term solution to the redistricting problems we encountered this time.

Backup Redistricting Amendment

1. In the event that the Governors have not adopted a redistricting plan as of noon, Eastern Standard Time on the third Wednesday prior to the opening of the ballot box for the regular election of District Senators, then the most recently adopted districting plan that meets the conditions of Article IV Section 4 of this Constitution using the data from the most recent Census shall be used as the districting plan.

2. In the further event that no previously adopted districting plan meets the conditions of Article IV Section 4 of this Constitution using the data from the most recent Census, then the Chief Justice of Atlasia shall have the authority to draw districts that meet the conditions of Article IV Section 4 of this Constitution using the data from the most recent Census.

Constitutional Amendment on the Registration Post Count

1. Article V, Section 2, Clause 1 of the Atlasian Constitution is amended to read as follows:

A person may become a registered voter if he has attained fifteen posts at the forum. In registration, the person must state his name and State of fantasy residence; in addition, he may optionally state a political affiliation.

2. The Sixth Amendment is repealed.

Air Force Transport Appropriations Act

1. Atlasia shall purchase 42 C-17 aircraft from the Boeing Corp. with production ending in FY2010. The total cost of the program shall be $5.9 billion, $1.9 billion in FY2007, and an additional $1.0 billion in FY2008 through FY2011.

I considered this a part of the Military Readiness Bill that needs to be passed by this Senate. It is imperative that we give proper funding and appropriations to the Air Force to augment it's retired C-141 fleet with new C-17 aircraft.

Enough bills have been proposed by other Senators that I feel comfortable adding a couple of my non-urgent pre-prepared bills to the calendar.

Farmer Free Speech Act

§1. Findings
   (a) There are a number of market promotion laws concerning agriculture that require producers of certain products to join and pay for organizations that promote that product, even if an individual producer does not agree with the either the purpose of the organization on the means chosen to promote the product.  While mechanisms exist for producers to be refunded or rebated such sums for most such programs, they are onerous and require the producer to repeatedly indicate that they wish to opt out of the promotion program.
   (b) Such organizations have acted contrary to the interests of producers not following the marketing strategy desired by the majority of producers.
   (c) Such organizations should be turned into ordinary voluntary membership organizations, without the possession of government sanction or coercion.

§2. Repeals and Savings
   (a) The following laws are repealed as of the second December 31 following the date of enactment of this Act.
      (1) Section 8c(6)(I) of the Agricultural Act [7 U.S.C. 608c(6)(I)].
      (2) The Cotton Research and Promotion Act (chapter 53 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 2101 et seq.]).
      (3) The Potato Research and Promotion Act (chapter 58 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 2611 et seq.]).
      (4) The Egg Research and Consumer Information Act (chapter 58 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.]).
      (5) The Beef Research and Information Act (chapter 60 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 2901 et seq.]).
      (6) The Wheat and Wheat Foods Research and Nutrition Education Act (chapter 65 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 3401 et seq.]).
      (7) The Floral Research and Consumer Information Act (chapter 74 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 4301 et seq.]).
      (8) The Dairy Production Stabilization Act of 1983 (chapter 76 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.]).
      (9) The Honey Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act (chapter 77 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 4601 et seq.]).
      (10) The Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1985 (chapter 79 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 4801 et seq.]).
      (11) The Watermelon Research and Promotion Act (chapter 80 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 4901 et seq.]).
      (12) The Pecan Promotion and Research Act of 1990 (chapter 89 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 6001 et seq.]).
      (13) The Mushroom Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1990 (chapter 90 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 6101 et seq.]).
      (14) The Lime Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act of 1990 (chapter 91 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 6201 et seq.]).
      (15) The Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act (chapter 92 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.]).
      (16) The Fluid Milk Promotion Act of 1990 (chapter 93 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 6401 et seq.]).
      (17) The Fresh Cut Flowers and Fresh Cut Greens Promotion and Information Act of 1993 (chapter 97 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 6801 et seq.]).
      (18) The Sheep Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1994 (chapter 99 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.]).
      (19) Title V of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (chapter 101 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.]).
      (20) The Hass Avocado Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 2000 (chapter 105 of title 7 [7 U.S.C. 7801 et seq.]).
   (b) No assessment or other fee shall be required under the laws repealed by subsection (a) for any period following the date of the repeal of said Acts.
   (c) The organizations established under the laws repealed by subsection (a) shall be given the opportunity to transform into private non-profit voluntary cooperative organizations.  Such organizations shall retain the trademarks and other intellectual property developed by the organizations while sanctioned by the laws repealed by subsection (a).

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Federal Crop Insurance Subsidy Reduction Act

§1. Findings
   (a) Excessive subsidies of the Federal Crop Insurance program encourage the utilization of marginal land because of the reduction of moral hazard on the part of the producer.
   (b) The reduction of direct forms of agricultural subsidy has led to an increase in the usage of the Federal Crop Insurance program as an indirect subsidy.

§2. Reductions in Federal Crop Insurance subsidies
   (a) For the 2008 crop year, section 508(e)(2) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act [7 U.S.C. 1508(e)(2)] is amended as follows:
      (1) In subparagraph (A), the phrase "the premium" shall be replaced by "90 percent of the premium".
      (2) In subparagraph (B)(i), the phrase "67 percent" shall be replaced by "66 percent".
      (3) In subparagraph (C)(i), the phrase "64 percent" shall be replaced by "60 percent".
      (4) In subparagraph (D)(i), the phrase "59 percent" shall be replaced by "54 percent".
      (5) In subparagraph (E)(i), the phrase "55 percent" shall be replaced by "48 percent".
      (6) In subparagraph (F)(i), the phrase "48 percent" shall be replaced by "41 percent".
      (7) In subparagraph (G)(i), the phrase "38 percent" shall be replaced by "34 percent".
   (b) For the 2009 crop year, section 508(e)(2) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act [7 U.S.C. 1508(e)(2)] as amended by subsection (a) of this section is further amended as follows:
      (1) In subparagraph (A), the phrase "90 percent" shall be replaced by "75 percent".
      (2) In subparagraph (B)(i), the phrase "66 percent" shall be replaced by "60 percent".
      (3) In subparagraph (C)(i), the phrase "60 percent" shall be replaced by "54 percent".
      (4) In subparagraph (D)(i), the phrase "54 percent" shall be replaced by "48 percent".
      (5) In subparagraph (E)(i), the phrase "48 percent" shall be replaced by "42 percent".
      (6) In subparagraph (F)(i), the phrase "41 percent" shall be replaced by "36 percent".
      (7) In subparagraph (G)(i), the phrase "34 percent" shall be replaced by "30 percent".
   (c) For the 2010 and succeeding crop years, section 508(e)(2) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act [7 U.S.C. 1508(e)(2)] as amended by subsections (a) and (b) of this section is further amended as follows:
      (1) In subparagraph (A), the phrase "75 percent" shall be replaced by "60 percent".
      (2) In subparagraph (B)(i), the phrase "60 percent" shall be replaced by "50 percent".
      (3) In subparagraph (C)(i), the phrase "54 percent" shall be replaced by "45 percent".
      (4) In subparagraph (D)(i), the phrase "48 percent" shall be replaced by "40 percent".
      (5) In subparagraph (E)(i), the phrase "42 percent" shall be replaced by "35 percent".
      (6) In subparagraph (F)(i), the phrase "36 percent" shall be replaced by "30 percent".
      (7) In subparagraph (G)(i), the phrase "30 percent" shall be replaced by "25 percent".

§3. Already acquired insurance
   (a) Persons who have already acquired coverage under the Federal Crop Insurance program for the 2008 or any subsequent crop year prior to the passage of this Act shall either -
      (1) cancel the coverage and receive a full refund of any premium paid to date, or
      (2) pay a surcharge equal to the reduction in subsidy levels resulting from the passage of this Act.
   (b) Failure to indicate a choice by the beginning of the affected crop year shall be treated as if the covered person had elected under subsection (a) to cancel the coverage.
   (c) Covered persons may choose to cancel only a potion of their insurance and pay a surcharge on the remainder.

Atlasia Revitilization Committee Report Resolution

The Senate of Atlasia requests that the Atlasia Revitilization Committee (established under F.L. 15-3 Atlasia Revitilization Act), through a nominated representative, will deliver to the Senate a report of it's progress to date, any findings or reccomendations it has agreed so far, or any other matters which it deems worthy of the Senate's consideration, on or by the 29th of December 2006, three months after the committee's establishment.

Constitutional Amendment on Senate Posting Requirements

Article I, Section 1, Clause 2 is amended to read as follows:

No Person shall be a Senator who has not attained fifty or more posts, and is not a registered voter in the District or Region that they represent.

I withdraw my repeal of Deputy SoFA act bill.

New Mexico Regional Transfer Resolution

Pursuant to Article IV, Section 2, Clause 2 of the Constitution, the Senate hereby consents to the transfer of the state of New Mexico from the Pacific region to the Midwest region.

Third Constitution of the Republic of Atlasia

Preamble

We the People of the Republic of Atlasia, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, support equality for all forum members and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the Republic of Atlasia.

Link:

 Third Constitution of the Republic of Atlasia (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/User:True_democrat)

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Sponsor: Sen. Dave 'Hawk'

OSPR Amendment Resolution

Article 3, Section 2, Clause 2 of the OSPR shall be amended to read as follows:
There shall be seven slots available for debating legislation on the Senate floor. Of these slots, three shall be available for any purpose; two shall be available for any purpose except the debating of Amendments to the Constitution; one shall be available only for legislation that the PPT considers to be related to forum affairs or emergency legislation which can be introduced pursuant to Article 7, Section 1 of this resolution; and one shall be available for debating veto overrides pursuant to Article 5, Section 3.

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The suggested amendments are highlighted in green. It amounts to creating one new slot for dealing with general legislation.

I introduce this because I feel that we need to be able to deal with the backlog of legislation more quickly and because I don't feel that one extra slot will overburden Senators ability to scrutinise legislation.

OPSR Amendment Debate Time Resolution

Article 4 Section 4 Clause 1 of the OPSR shall be amended by replacing "five (5) days" with "seventy-two (72) hours".

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This amendment is introduced so as to standardize the time period for a vote on an amendment of an item before the Senate to the usual 72 hours for other time requirements under the OPSR.

Reproductive Rights Bill

Section 1: Findings
1. F.L. 12-10, Abortion Restriction in Federal Territories Act, contains provisions that:
a.) Criminalize safe pregnancy termination procedures performed under most circumstances in the second trimester;
b.) Intrude on the constraints of a civil union contract entered into by a woman who is pregnant;
c.) Mandate the invasion of medical privacy for women based solely on their marital status;
d.) Discriminate against women on the basis of age in determining the ease with which a woman may obtain an abortion.

Section 2: Repealed Legislation
1. The Abortion Restriction in Federal Territories Act is repealed.

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Embryonic Stem Cell Research Enhancement Bill

1. The government shall invest $50 million in scientific grants to aid the advancement of embryonic stem cell research.
2. The research progress is to be reviewed in three years with all participating to present findings, advances, and possible cures into diseases.
3. No restrictions shall be placed on the use of human embryos in therapeutic cloning and stem cell research.
4. F.L. 14-9, Human Cloning Act, is repealed.

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Promotion of the Fine Arts Bill

1. F.L. 9-7, National Endowments for the Arts and for the Humanities Elimination Act, is repealed.
2. Funding for the National Endowments for the Arts and for the Humanities are hereby restored in full.

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Abolition of Christmas Bill

1. Christmas, as a federal holiday celebrated on the twenty-fifth day of each December, is hereby abolished.
2. This law shall not be construed as to alter or repeal any regional laws regarding the Christmas holiday.

Now that we have some more bills in the hopper I feel comfortable in adding some more of mine own proposals.

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Federal Vending Facilities Reform Act

§1. Findings
   (a) The Randolph-Sheppard Act is a 1936 law that had the admirable goal of providing a preference to the legally blind in the operation of vending facilities on Federal property at a time when employment opportunities for the legally blind were scarce and vending machines were not as ubiquitous as they are today.
   (b) Assistive technologies have greatly widened the scope of available professions for the legally blind from what was achievable in 1936.
   (c) The subsequent development of vending machines and the passage of the Randolph-Sheppard Act Amendments of 1974 have effectively transformed the Randolph-Sheppard Act from one which provided the legally blind with self-employment into one which provides the legally blind with subsidy payments from vending machines operating in competition with them.

§2. Repeal
   (a) The Randolph-Sheppard Act (Chapter 6A of title 20 [20 U.S.C. section 107 et seq.]) and the fourth sentence of section 111(b) of title 23 (concerning highway rest stop vending machines) are hereby repealed subject to the savings provisions of this section.
   (b) Contracts with legally blind licensees to operate vending facilities under the provisions of the Randolph Sheppard Act (including payments under section 7 of said act from competing vending machines) shall continue in force until the normal end of the contract. If said contract contains provisions allowing renewal of the contract on a periodic basis, then the government shall agree to any renewal it would have agreed to save for the passage of this act until two years after the date of passage of this act. If said contract allows termination at will, the government shall terminate the contract two years after the date of passage of this act.
   (c) Termination of contracts with legally blind licensees shall be handled in accordance with the provisions of section 3 of the Randolph Sheppard Act.

§3. Additional transition period
   (a) The government shall be able to enter into non-competitive contracts with existing licensees for the operation of their current vending facilities after the repeal of the Randolph Sheppard Act takes effect. Such contracts shall be on a non-subsidy basis, but may take into account the convienience of continuity of service, amortization of existing equipment of the licensee, and other relevant factors favoring the retention of existing licensees over other potential vendors that would not normally be considered under Title 41, Public Contracts.
   (b) No such contract under this section may be entered into that -
      (1) begins later than five years after the passage of this Act, or
      (2) ends later than eight years after the passage of this Act.

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Food for Real Progress Act
§1. Findings
   (a) The Food for Progress Act of 1985 [7 U.S.C. 1736o] has the laudable stated goal of encouraging the introduction or expansion of free enterprise elements in the agricultural economies of developing democracies.
   (b) However, the primary assistance provided under said Act is the provision of agricultural commodities at below-market prices, thereby depressing the prices that agricultural producers in recipient countries can hope to receive for their produce.

§2. Repeal
   (a) The Food for Progress Act of 1985 is repealed, subject to subsection (b).
   (b) Assistance already pledged under the Act shall be given, provided such assistance is given no later than the end of the current fiscal year.

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Guayule Privatization Act

§1. Findings
   (a) The guayule plant (Parthenium argentatum) is a shrub native to the Sonoran desert of Atlasia and Mexico that serves as an alternate source of natural rubber.
   (b) Despite considerable effort by the government to develop the plant as an alternative to latex rubber during World War II and afterwards, it remains costlier and is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future.
   (c) The current likelihood of a disruption of access to supplies of latex rubber sufficient to affect the economic well-being of Atlasia is essentially nil.
   (d) Because of its hypoallergenic properties, there is a small private market for guayule rubber that provides a basis for private development of this agricultural resources without a program of specialized government development.

§2. Repeals
   The Act of March 5, 1942, authorizing the government to run guayule plantations and the Critical Agricultural Materials Act, establishing the Joint Commission on Research and Development of Critical Agricultural Materials are repealed as of start of the first fiscal year beginning 90 days after the date of passage of this Act.

§3. Disposal of Property.
   The President is directed to dispose of the assets acquired or developed to further the purposes of the laws repealed in section 2 of this Act in accordance with chapter 5 of Title 40.

§4. Rule of Construction
    Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit the funding of research into the cultivation of the guayule plant or into the economic exploitation of its products under other laws of the Republic of Atlasia of general import.

I'm withdrawing the Comprehensive Free Trade Bill in light of unlikely Senate passage and introducing four new pieces of legislation.

Cuban Relations Bill

1. The Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act of 1996 is hereby repealed.
2. The Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 is hereby repealed.
3. Cuban refugees shall be granted political asylum in Atlasia, conforming with the standart rules of asylum.
4. Radio and TV Marti shall be shut down, and every law related to them shall be repealed.
5. Trade sanctions against Cuba shall be repealed, except in what concerns military goods; Atlasian citizens and companies shall be free to visit and establish business in Cuba as they see fit.
6. The Secretary of External Affairs shall move to the normalization of diplomatic relations with Cuba.

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Conscription Amendment
Article VI is amended to include the following clause:
"No person shall be required to serve in defense of Atlasia involuntarily."

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Anti-CARLHAYDEN Bill

Section 1: Current Status of Illegal Aliens
1. No hospital or place of medical care may deny treatment to a person based on their status as an alien or noncitizen.
2. Within two weeks after the passage of this act, employers paying below the minimum wage to illegal aliens shall be prosecuted as if they were paying below the minimum wage to legal workers.

Section 2: Amnesty
1. Any illegal alien who is not suspected of terrorism charges, or has been convicted of murder, rape, or high robbery, may apply for citizenship one month after the passage of this act.
2. No person shall be denied citizenship based on their status at any time in the past as an illegal alien.
3. No person who is an illegal alien upon the passage of this act may be considered for deportation solely because of their alien status, and all charges pertaining towards their status as an illegal alien will be dropped.

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Right to Die Bill

Section 1: Application
1. This law shall apply only in federal territories and the District of Columbia.

Section 2: The Right to Die
1. The Right to a dignified death when blighted with a terminal illness and great suffering is hereby granted to all those mentally sane residents of the applicable areas as specified in Section 1.
2. If a person shall opt to invoke this Right, they may seek assistance from medical practitioners to grant them a dignified death.
3. In order to invoke this Right, the person must sign a notice containing their wishes and must have the same signed by a public notary.
4. This notice, along with the relevant certifications as specified by Section 4, must be lodged with the federal Courts of Law to have effect, and such notice shall take effect seven days after it is lodged with the Courts.
5. The method of assisting a person to a dignified death is left at the discretion of the person concerned after consultation with a medical practitioner, and may include a medical practitioner administering a lethal dose of a controlled substance to the person.

Section 3: Living Wills
1. All mentally sane residents of the Southeast shall have the right to provide instructions for the event that they are blighted with a terminal illness and incapacitated from communicating their wishes.
2. These may include instructions for the ending of their life through withdrawal of treatment or direct action.
3. In order to provide these instructions, a person must sign a notice stating such instructions, and must have the same signed by a public notary.
4. This notice must be lodged with the federal Courts of Law to have effect.
5. A living will may only be acted if authorization to is received from a federal Court of Law, which shall only issue such an order if they receive all certifications as specified in Section 4.

Section 4: Medical Determinations
1. A person shall be deemed to be blighted with a terminal illness if two certified medical practitioners certify the same in writing. At least one of these practitioners shall be a specialist in the field of medicine that relates to the illness suffered from by the person concerned.
2. A person shall be deemed to be in great suffering if two certified medical practitioners certify that in their medical judgement the person is in such distress that their quality of life is reduced and that there is no further medical assistance that can be given to substantially improve their quality of life.
3. A person shall be deemed to be mentally sane if a certified medical practitioner with specialism in psychiatry shall certify the same in writing.
4. A person shall be deemed to be incapacitated from communicating their wishes if three certified medical practitioners shall certify the same in writing.
5. None of those performing certification pursuant to this Section may benefit directly or indirectly from the death of the person concerned, except as may occur through the payment for provision of services.

Section 5: Prosecutions
1. No medical practitioner acting to assist the person to a dignified death shall be prosecutable unless they have in some way deviated from or ignored the procedures outlined in this statute.
2. If a medical practitioner shall deviate from the procedure in this statute, then they shall be liable to have their medical license revoked and may be subject to prosecution in the Courts, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine of up to $100,000.
3. If a medical practitioner shall unduly encourage to invoke their rights as outlined in Section 2 or Section 3 and shall assist in executing these rights, or shall engage in direct action to hasten death without consent, then they shall be guilty of murder.

Emergency Resolution Addressing the Pacific-Midwest Situation

Whereas, the Midwest has agreed to the transfer of New Mexico from the Pacific to its borders without anything in return;
Whereas, the Pacific unanimously voted against said transfer of New Mexico to the Midwest;
Whereas, the Midwest persists in seeking to obtain New Mexico by aiding rebellious insurgents who are attempting to nullify democratically passed Pacific laws;
Whereas, the Midwest declared its current governor to have been given an unlimited term dependent on specified circumstances in direct and clear violation of the constitution;
The Senate declares its support of the Pacific in addressing the rebel insurgents in New Mexico and its opposition to the Midwest's intimidation tactics.

Constitutional Amendment to Create a House of Representatives (part 1)


Amendment Section 1: Modification of Article 1 of the Constitution

Article 1 of the Constitution shall be re-written as follows:

Section 1: The Senate

All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the Republic of Atlasia, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

Section 2: The House of Representatives

   1. Each Region shall have a number of Representatives based on its population, but each Region shall have at least one Representative.
   2. The Method and Frequency of apportionment shall decided upon in the same manner as the proposition of a Bill.
   3. No Person shall be a Representative who has not attained a fifty or more posts, and is not a registered voter in the Region that they represent.
   4. A Representative shall serve for a term of two months, with no limit on the number of terms s/he may serve.
   5. The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.


Section 3: The Senate

   1. The Senate shall be composed of ten Senators, each with a term of four months. Five Senators shall be elected from Districts and Five Senators shall be elected from Regions
   2. No Person shall be a Senator who has not attained a hundred or more posts, and is not a registered voter in the District or Region that they represent.
   3. The Vice President of the Republic of Atlasia shall be the President of the Senate, but shall have no vote unless they be equally divided.
   4. The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a President Pro Tempore, who shall act as President of the Senate in the absence of the Vice President.
   5. The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the Republic of Atlasia is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.
   6. Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office for a time period explicitly specified in the Articles of Impeachment.


Section 4: Regular Election to Congress

   1. The Senate shall be divided into two classes: Class A, which shall comprise the Senators elected from the Regions, and Class B, which shall comprise the Senators elected from the Districts.
   2. Elections for the Senate Seats in Class A shall be held in the months of February, June and October; Elections for the seats in Class B shall be held in the months of April, August and December. Election for House Seats shall be held at the same time as both the Class A and B Senate Seats.
   3. Elections shall take place on the weekend which includes the second Friday in the month of December and the weekend which includes the second to last Friday of all other months in which an election shall be scheduled.
   4. The voting booth administrator may open voting at a time when s/he is able but laws may be passed putting requirements on when the voting booth must be opened and when a noticed of such time must be posted. Once opened, voting will be allowed for exactly 72 hours.
   5. Congress shall have necessary power to determine regulations for the procedure of and the form of Congressional elections and shall have necessary power to determine a procedure for declaration of candidacy for such elections. All elections to Congress shall be by public post.
   6. Those elected in ordinary elections to Congress shall take office at noon Eastern Standard Time on the first Friday in the month after their election. Those elected in special elections to the Senate shall take office as soon as the result of their election has been formally declared.


Section 5: Filling a Vacancy to Congress

   1. If a vacancy shall occur in a Regional Senate seat, then the Region shall have the right to fill the seat in any manner it so chooses.
   2. If a vacancy shall occur in either a District Senate seat or a House seat and there are more than two weeks remaining in the term, an election shall be held over a weekend within ten days of the vacancy.
   3. If the electoral system changes, the system used to elect the the seat previously shall be used and the new system shall not go into effect into the next regular election.


Section 6: Congressional Rules and Legislation

   1. The Senate and the House of Representatives each may establish rules for its own proceedings, and with the concurrence of two-thirds of its number, expel a member.
   2. The Senate and the House of Representatives each shall have fulfilled a quorum if a majority of its members are capable of discharging their offices and sworn into office. A quorum of the members of the Senate or House of Representatives shall have voted on any Resolution, Bill, Impeachment or Constitutional Amendment for it to be considered valid.
   3. For any Bill or Resolution to pass the Senate or the House of Representatives, it shall have gained a majority in a valid vote. Before the Bill or Resolution becomes Law, it must be passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives and then be presented to the President of the Republic of Atlasia, unless it be concerning the rules for the proceedings of the Senate or the House of Representatives. If the President approves, he shall sign it, and it shall become Law. If the President does not approve, he shall return the Bill with his objections to Congress, and it shall not become Law. Upon reconsidering the Bill, if the Senate and House of Representatives each shall approve the legislation by two-thirds of its number, it shall become Law. If a Bill is not returned to Congress by the President within seven days after it shall have been presented to him, it shall become Law regardless.
   4. All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.
   5. All bills that draw money from the Treasury shall have those clauses which draw money from the Treasury subject to the Line Item Veto Power of the President. Once a bill drawing money from the Treasury shall pass both the Senate and the House of Representatives, it shall be presented to the President; If he does not approve of some of those clauses that draw money from the Treasury, he shall remove them from the bill via his Line Item Veto Power, and then shall sign the bill. In order for the revised bill to become Law it must be passed by the both the Senate and the House of Representatives. If the revised bill is not passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives, they shall return the original bill to him, and it shall be handled in the same way as a bill under Clause 3 of this Section. If either the Senate or the House of Representatives shall not approve of the revisions made by the President, they may override his Line Item Veto with the concurrence of two-thirds of its number of each, and the original bill shall become Law.

Constitutional Amendment to Create a House of Representatives (part 2)


Section 7: Powers of Congress

Congress shall have the power save where limited by other provisions in the Constitution-

   1. To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the Regions of the Republic of Atlasia and the District of Columbia.
   2. To borrow money on the credit of the Republic of Atlasia and repay such debts.
   3. To regulate commerce with foreign nations.
   4. To provide an area of Freedom, Security and Justice without internal frontiers, and a single market where competition is free and undistorted.
   5. To establish uniform rules of Naturalization and Alienation, Marriage and Divorce, and Adoption and Emancipation of Minors throughout the Republic of Atlasia.
   6. To establish uniform laws on the subjects of Bankruptcies, Contracts, and Incorporation throughout the Republic of Atlasia.
   7. To provide for the Punishment of Fraud in a uniform manner throughout the Republic of Atlasia
   8. To establish coin and currency, which shall be the sole legal tender of the Republic of Atlasia, regulate the value thereof, with respect to other coin and currency.
   9. To fix standards of weights and measures and of such items of commerce as it deems needful throughout the Republic of Atlasia.
  10. To build or regulate the infrastructure needed for communication and transportation.
  11. To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right throughout the Republic of Atlasia to their respective Writings and Discoveries for limited Times which shall not be extended once secured.
  12. To promote Science and the useful Arts by sponsoring researches on diverse subjects.
  13. To promote the Public Health, by the conducting of researches, investigations, experiments, and demonstrations relating to the cause, diagnosis, and treatment of medical disorders and by assisting and fostering such research activities by public and private agencies.
  14. To protect the Public Health and commerce, by providing for the quarantine, vaccination, and treatment of individuals, animals and plants as needed to prevent the spread of contagious diseases.
  15. To promote the distribution of Knowledge of Science and useful Arts, by assisting and fostering persons seeking to be educated, to provide education, or to produce educational materials.
  16. To provide for the humanitarian relief of the distress caused by unpredictable events of natural or man-made origin.
  17. To provide for systems of Insurance and Annuity for Unemployment, Disability, and Retirement.
  18. To have sole power to declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning captures on land and water;
  19. To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and offenses against the law of nations.
  20. To promote Comity between Nations by engaging in such activities with other Nations as are of mutual benefit.
  21. To provide for the common defense of the Republic of Atlasia.
  22. To raise and support armed forces and to make rules for the government and regulation of the armed forces of the Republic of Atlasia.
  23. To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions.
  24. To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the militia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the Republic of Atlasia, reserving to the Regions respectively, the appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed by the Senate.
  25. To exercise exclusive legislation, in all cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding twelve nautical miles square) as may, by cession of particular Regions, and the acceptance of the Senate, become the seat of the government of the Republic of Atlasia, and to be known as the District of Columbia.
  26. To exercise exclusive legislation, in all cases whatsoever, over all places purchased by the consent of the legislature of the Region in which the same shall be, for the provision of military facilities, courthouses, and other needful buildings.
  27. To exercise exclusive legislation, in all cases whatsoever, over such Territory as may be under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Atlasia, but are not part of any Region.
  28. To create the Executive Departments as it may deem necessary and to assign duties to their officers.
  29. To Suspend the Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus, and to make provision for its Suspension by the executive when the Senate is not in session, but the Privilege shall be Suspended only when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
  30. And to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the powers enumerated in this section, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the Republic of Atlasia, or in any department or officer thereof.


Section 8: Powers denied to Congress

   1. No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
   2. No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall vary depending upon the Region of which the Person it be laid against shall live.
   3. No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any Region.
   4. No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one Region over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one Region, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.
   5. No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.
   6. No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the Republic of Atlasia: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Senate, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.
   7. No Law requiring any action to be taken or to be not taken by a Region shall be passed, except to preserve the rights of the Senate or of the People enumerated under the Constitution.


Section 9: Powers denied to the Regions

   1. No Region shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation, save that with the Consent of Congress they may enter into Agreements or Compacts with other Regions for purposes of handling Specific Issues which affect more than one Region but which do not affect the Republic of Atlasia as a Whole.
   2. No Region may issue Coin or Currency or make any Coin or Currency other than that of the Republic of Atlasia a legal tender.
   3. No Region may pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts
   4. No Region may grant any Title of Nobility.
   5. No Region shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing its inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties, laid by any Region on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the Republic of Atlasia; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Control of the Senate.
   6. No Region shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage.
   7. No Region shall, without the Consent of Congress, maintain Armed Forces in time of Peace.
   8. No Region shall, without the Consent of Congress, enter into any Agreement or Compact with a foreign Power.


Section 10: Budget

   1. Congress shall be responsible for drafting and approving a Budget at the opening of each Congressional session after a Presidential election has been held, with the Preliminary Budget for the fiscal year being drafted and approved in March of the respective year, a Revision of the Budget being drafted and approved in July and the Final Version of the Budget being drafted and approved in November of the respective year.
   2. The GM must provide Congress with comprehensive economic figures (such as GDP estimates, estimates of tax revenue, or needed additional appropriations, etc.) at the above-specified times of drafting and approving each and every budget.
   3. This yearly Budgetary work will comprise an entire Fiscal Year in Atlasia. A Fiscal Year in Atlasia will comprise of one calendar year (12 months).
   4. All Congressional legislation passed in the four (4) months preceding an approval of the Revision or Final Version of the Budget must be included in the Budget of that same Fiscal Year. Any Congressional legislation passed after the Final Version of the Budget has been approved must be included in the Budget for the upcoming Fiscal Year.
   5. Each and every Budget must be approved by a majority vote of both houses of Congress. Only the Final Version of the Budget must be approved and signed into law by the President.
   6. After the Final Version of the Budget is approved by Congress and the President and signed into law, Congress shall appropriate money raised by the Budget as it deems appropriate.


Amendment Section 2: Conditions for Changes to take affect

In addition to Ratification by the regions, before this amendment shall go into affect, the Senate shall pass the following legislation:

   1. Legislation to define the method and frequency of apportionment that determines the number of seats each region shall have in the House of Representatives in accordance with Section 2, Clause 2.
   2. Legislation to define the time and other requirements for congressional elections in accordance with Section 4, Clause 4.
   3. Legislation to define the method of election for the members of the House of Representatives in accordance with Section 4, Clause 5.

OSPR Amendment (Absent Senators) Resolution
That the following be added to the OSPR as 'Article 10: Absent Senators':

1. Where a Senator fails or neglects to post on any matter of Senate business for a period of not less than 14 days, said Senator shall be considered 'absent'.
2. During such time as a Senator is considered 'absent', he shall not be considered to add to the quorum of the Senate, until such time as he once more posts on a matter of Senate business.

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OSPR Amendment (Absence of PPT) Resolution
1. That in Article 2, Section 2, Clause 1b of the OSPR, the terms "seven (7)" be amended to read "three (3)".
2. That in Article 2, Section 3, Clause 1 (ii) of the OSPR, the term "five" shall be amended to read "three".
3. That in Article 2, Section 3, Clause 1 (iii) of the OSPR, the term "five" shall be amended to read "three".

Two more bills from the desk of Senator Ernest

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Imitation Butter and Cheese Regulation Act

§1. Findings
   (a) The regulation of the sale of imitation butter and cheese has been subject to State regulation under the Act of May 9, 1902, even when such product is part of interstate commerce.
   (b) Improvements in the refrigeration, transportation, and federal regulatory processes since the passage of the Act of May 9, 1902, make national regulation of these products feasible.
   (c) The Constitutional mandate for the Senate to provide "a single market where competition is free and undistorted" would be better served by national standards on these products, rather than those of each Region or State.

§2. National Standards
   (a) The Secretary of Health and Human Services is directed to develop in the usual manner regulations setting standards for imitation butter and cheese under the authority granted by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
   (b) Such standards shall as far as practicable be designed so that under the standards set by the States under the authority of the Act of May 9, 1902 -
      (1) any product which meets all such standards shall meet the new national standard, and
      (2) no product which does not meet at least one such standard shall meet the new national standard.

§3. Repeal and transition
   (a) Section 1 of the Act of May 9, 1902, granting the States authority to regulate the sale of imitation butter and cheese, even when said product is produced in another State, is repealed as of the date the regulations called for in section 2 of this Act enter into force.
   (b) The regulations developed under section 2 of this Act may incorporate provisions with effect in only one or more States so as to facilitate the transition from State to national regulation of commerce in imitation butter and cheese.  Such provisions may only remain in effect a maximum of two years after the date the regulations called for in section 2 of this Act enter into force.

---

Immigration Reform Act of 2007

(In next post or two due to length.)

Immigration Reform Act of 2007

§1. Changes in the number of immigrants subject to direct numerical limitations
   (a) Family-sponsored immigrants
      (1) The number "480,000" in section 201(c)(1)(A)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1151(c)(1)(A)(i)] shall be substituted by -
         (A) "500,000" for fiscal year 2008;
         (B) "550,000" for fiscal year 2009;
         (C) "600,000" for fiscal year 2010; and
         (D) "1/500 of the population of Atlasia, as established by the last completed decennial census" for fiscal year 2011 and thereafter.
      (2) The number "226,000" in sections 201(c)(1)(B)(ii) and 203(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1151(c)(1)(B)(ii), 1153(a)(2)] shall be substituted by -
         (A) "250,000" for fiscal year 2008;
         (B) "275,000" for fiscal year 2009;
         (C) "300,000" for fiscal year 2010; and
         (D) "1/1000 of the population of Atlasia, as established by the last completed decennial census" for fiscal year 2011 and thereafter.
      (3) The number "23,400" in paragraphs (1) and (3) of section 203(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1153(a)(1),(3)] shall be substituted by -
         (A) "25,000" for fiscal year 2008;
         (B) "27,500" for fiscal year 2009;
         (C) "30,000" for fiscal year 2010; and
         (D) "1/10,000 of the population of Atlasia, as established by the last completed decennial census" for fiscal year 2011 and thereafter.
      (4) The number "114,200" in section 203(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1153(a)(2)] shall be substituted by -
         (A) "125,000" for fiscal year 2008;
         (B) "137,500" for fiscal year 2009;
         (C) "150,000" for fiscal year 2010; and
         (D) "1/2000 of the population of Atlasia, as established by the last completed decennial census" for fiscal year 2011 and thereafter.
      (5) The number "65,000" in section 203(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1153(a)(4)] shall be substituted by -
         (A) "75,000" for fiscal year 2008;
         (B) "82,500" for fiscal year 2009;
         (C) "90,000" for fiscal year 2010; and
         (D) "3/10,000 of the population of Atlasia, as established by the last completed decennial census" for fiscal year 2011 and thereafter.
   (b) Employment-based immigrants
   The number "140,000" in section 201(d)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1151(d)(1)] shall be substituted by -
         (A) "160,000" for fiscal year 2008;
         (B) "180,000" for fiscal year 2009;
         (C) "200,000" for fiscal year 2010; and
         (D) "1/1500 of the population of Atlasia, as established by the last completed decennial census" for fiscal year 2011 and thereafter.
   (c) Diversity immigrants
   The number "55,000" in section 201(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1151(e)] shall be substituted by -
         (A) "57,000" for fiscal year 2008;
         (B) "58,500" for fiscal year 2009;
         (C) "60,000" for fiscal year 2010; and
         (D) "1/5000 of the population of Atlasia, as established by the last completed decennial census," for fiscal year 2011 and thereafter.
   (d) Cancellation of removal; adjustment of status
   The number "4,000" in section 240A(e)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1229b(e)(1)] shall be substituted by -
         (A) "4,800" for fiscal year 2008;
         (B) "5,400" for fiscal year 2009;
         (C) "6,000" for fiscal year 2010; and
         (D) "1/50,000 of the population of Atlasia, as established by the last completed decennial census," for fiscal year 2011 and thereafter.
   (e) Adjustment of status for victims of trafficking
   The number "5,000" in section 245(l)(4)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1255(l)(4)(A)] shall be substituted by -
         (A) "5,400" for fiscal year 2008;
         (B) "5,700" for fiscal year 2009;
         (C) "6,000" for fiscal year 2010; and
         (D) "1/50,000 of the population of Atlasia, as established by the last completed decennial census," for fiscal year 2011 and thereafter.

§2. Changes in the number of nonimmigrants subject to direct numerical limitations
   Effective beginning fiscal year 2011, section 214(g)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(1)] shall be amended to read as follows:
      "(1) The total number of aliens who may be issued visas or otherwise provided nonimmigrant status during any fiscal year -
         "(A) under subparagraph (H)(i)(b) [8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b)] of section 101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality Act may not exceed 1/4000 of the population of Atlasia, as established by the last completed decennial census; or
         "(B) under subparagraph (H)(ii)(b) [8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b)] of section 101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality Act may not exceed 1/4000 of the population of Atlasia, as established by the last completed decennial census."

§2, Clarification of whether certain territories to be considered as a separate foreign state or dependent area
   (a) Separate foreign states
   Notwithstanding any other law, the following shall be considered separate foreign states for the purposes of a numerical level established under subsection (a)(2) of section 202 of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1152(a)(2)]:
      (1) the constituent countries of the United Kingdom,
      (2) New Caledonia,
      (3) the Republic of China,
      (4) the special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China,
      (5) Kosova, and
      (6) Palestine.
   (b) Dependant areas
   Notwithstanding any other law, the following shall be considered dependant areas for the purposes of a numerical level established under subsection (a)(2) of section 202 of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1152(a)(2)]:
      (1) Åland,
      (2) the autonomous regions of the People's Republic of China,
      (3) the autonomous countries of Denmark,
      (4) the départements d'outre-mer of the French Republic,
      (5) the autonomous countries of the Netherlands
      (6) the crown dependencies of the United Kingdom and
      (7) the Duchy of Cornwall.
   (c) Construction
   The designation of an area as a separate foreign state or as a dependent area under either this section or subsection (a)(2) of section 202 of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1152(a)(2)] shall not be construed as formal recognition of the level of sovereignity of a territory nor for any other purpose unrelated to determining the numbers of immigrants admitted from certain territories.
   (d) Repeal of superseded law
   Section 103 of Pub. L. 101-649 (relating to Hong Kong) and section 714 of Pub. L. 97-113 (relating to Taiwan) are repealed as superseded by this section, and any reference to said sections in any law, regulation, or rule shall be deemed to be a reference to the corresponding provisions of this section.

§3. Ending of special immigration status for certain Amerasian children
   (a) Repeal
   Section 204(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1154(f)] granting special immigration status for Amerasian children born prior to October 22, 1982 shall be repealed as of October 22, 2007.
   (b) Savings
   No person admitted as an immigrant under the provision repealed in subsection (a) shall have that status adversely affected as a result of such repeal.

§4. Ending of bar to the admission of practicing polygamists
   (a) Repeal
   Section 212(a)(10)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(10)(A)] barring the admission of practicing polygamists shall be repealed as of fiscal year 2008.
   (b) Construction
   This section shall not be construed as legal recognition of a polygamous relationship by the Republic of Atlasia or any of its subdivisions.  This section shall not be construed as invalidating any criminal or civil penalty for polygamy under the laws of the Republic of Atlasia or any of its subdivisions.  This section shall not be construed as allowing more than one spouse entry for the purpose of accompanying an alien allowed admission where existing law allows for entry of a single such spouse. 
   
§5. Ending of special non-visa admission to Guam
   (a) Repeal
   Section 212(l) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1182(l)] providing for the admission of certain aliens to Guam for a period of no more than 15 days shall be repealed as of fiscal year 2009.
   (b) Conforming repeals
   The following portions of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.] shall be repealed as of fiscal year 2009.
      (1) Section 212(a)(7)(B)(iii) [8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(7)(B)(iii)],
      (2) The second sentence of section 214(a)(1) [8 U.S.C. 1184(a)(1)], and
      (3) The words "section 212(l) of this Act or" in sections 245(c)(4) and 248(4) [8 U.S.C. 1255(c)(4), 1258(4)].
   (c) Transition
   A person admitted under section 212(l) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1182(l)] during the last 15 days of fiscal year 2008 shall be able remain in Guam for a full 15 days not withstanding the repeals under subsections (a) and (b) of this section under the conditions that would pertain if said repeals had not been enacted.

(continued)

Immigration Reform Act of 2007 (post 2 of 3)

§6. H-2A Program improvements
   (a) Barring land transfer to avoid penalty for violations
   To prevent efforts to avoid penalties for violations of the temporary agricultural worker (H-2A) program by transferring control of land where violations occur to another employer, the following shall be added as paragraph (5) to section 218(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1188(b)]
      "(5)(A) The employer has agricultural control of land, except as provided in subparagraph (C), where a violation of a material term or condition of the labor certification with respect to the employment of domestic or nonimmigrant workers has occurred within the two previous years, regardless of whether such land was under the agricultural control of the employer at the time of the violation.
         "(B) In this paragraph “agricultural control” means being either the lessor of the land with the right to make agricultural use of the land, or the owner of such land who has not leased such right to another party.
         "(C) This paragraph shall not apply to the owner of land described in subparagraph (A) if the violation was made by a lessor with agricultural control at the time of the violation, and the owner agrees to make no agricultural use of said land until two years after the violation occurred."
   (b) Repeal of biennial H-2A Program reports
   Section 403 of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 [8 U.S.C. 1188 note] requiring biennial reports by the President to the legislative branch on the temporary agricultural worker (H-2A) program shall be repealed after the presentation of the next scheduled report.

§7. Increase in penalty for violation of regulations of ports of entry for aliens arriving by aircraft
   Section 234 of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1224] providing for the designation of ports of entry for aliens arriving by aircraft is amended by substituting "$5,000" for "$2,000" in each place that it occurs.

§8. Removal of prohibition against importation of aliens for prostitution or other immoral purposes
   (a) Repeal
   Section 278 of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1328] banning the importation of aliens for prostitution or other immoral purposes is repealed as of the end of the current fiscal year.
   (b) Construction
      (1) This section shall not be construed as permitting the entry of aliens for such purposes in such areas where they are illegal.
      (2) This section shall not be construed as permitting the entry of aliens barred from entry because of a previous violation of such repealed law.
      (3) This section shall not be construed as barring the prohibition of the importation of such alien for such purposes, if such prohibition can be based on any other section of law.

§9. Abolition of the Immigration Enforcement Account
   (a) Repeal
   Section 280(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1330(b)] providing for an Immigration Enforcement Account is repealed as of the end of the current fiscal year.
   (b) Disposition of funds
      (1) Penalties that would have gone into the Immigration Enforcement Account  in a any succeeding fiscal year shall either be disbursed according to other law that would be operative in the absence of said section 280(b), or if there be no such law, into the treasury as general receipts.
      (2) All funds in the Immigration Enforcement Account as of the end of the current fiscal year shall be covered into the treasury as general receipts.

§10. Harmonization of work hours and rates of overtime pay for immigration officials with other Federal employees.
   (a) Repeal
   The Act of Mar. 2, 1931 (46 Stat. 1467 [8 U.S.C. 1353a, 1353b]) shall be repealed effective as of the first pay period of fiscal year 2008.
   (b) Conforming repeals
      (1) The Act of Aug. 22, 1940 (54 Stat. 858 [8 U.S.C. 1353d]) shall be repealed effective as of the first pay period of fiscal year 2008.
      (2) Section 5549(2) of Title 5, United States Code shall be repealed effective as of the first pay period of fiscal year 2008.
   (c) Adjustment of pay grade
   The President is authorized, consistent with the guidelines of section 5104 of Title 5, United States Code, to adjust, effective as of the first pay period of fiscal year 2008, the pay grades of positions affected by this section so as to minimize the difference in overall pay caused by the switch in the method of calculating overtime pay and hours resulting from this section.

§11. Passenger inspection fees
   (a) Increases
      (1) The figure "$7" in section 286(d) of Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1356(d)] shall be replaced by -
         (A) "$8" for fiscal year 2008,
         (B) "$9" for fiscal year 2009, and
         (C) "$10" for fiscal year 2010 and thereafter.
      (1) The figure "$3" in section 286(e)(3) of Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1356(e)(3)] shall be replaced by -
         (A) "$3.50" for fiscal year 2008,
         (B) "$4" for fiscal year 2009,
         (C) "$4.50" for fiscal year 2010, and
         (D) "$5" for fiscal year 2011 and thereafter.
   (b) Ending of accounting gimmick for fees collected during fourth fiscal quarter
   The following text is struck from section 286(f)(3) of Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1356(f)(3)]: ", except the fourth quarter payment for fees collected from airline passengers shall be made on the date that is ten days before the end of the fiscal year, and the first quarter payment shall include any collections made in the preceding quarter that were not remitted with the previous payment" effective as of the beginning the first fourth fiscal quarter begun after the date of enactment of this Act.

§12. Metrification of distances in the Immigration and Nationality Act and related legislation
   (a) Section 258(d)(3)
   In section 258(d)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1288(d)(3)] -
      (1) the distance "5 miles" in subparagraph (A)(iii)(IV) shall be replaced by "10 kilometers", and
      (2) the distance "7 1/2 miles" in subparagraph (B) shall be replaced by "15 kilometers".
   (b) Section 287(a)(3)
   In section 287(a)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1357(a(3)] the distance "twenty-five miles" shall be replaced by "50 kilometers".
   (c) Title 10
   In section 374(b)(2)(B) of Title 10, United States Code, the distance "25 miles" shall be replaced by "50 kilometers".
   (c) Effective date
   This section shall be effective as of 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

§13. Repeal of reimbursement for costs of incarcerating illegal aliens and certain Cuban nationals
   Sections 501 and 13 of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 [8 U.S.C. 1365, 1522(f)] shall be repealed effective as of fiscal year 2009.

§14. Change in frequency of reports of detention space in alien detention facilities
   Reports required under section 386 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, as amended, [8 U.S.C. 1368] shall effective September 30, 2008 be required on an annual basis instead of a semi-annual basis.  Such reports shall be due no later than June 30 of each year.

§15. Clarifying the status of children born to illegal immigrants
   (a) Subject to the jurisdiction of Atlasia
   The following shall be added as section 309A of Title III of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1410]:
   "§ 309A. Subject to the jurisdiction of Atlasia
      "(a) Definition - On or after January 1, 2008, for purposes of this title, a person shall be considered to be “subject to the jurisdiction of Atlasia”, only if such person is born of parents at least one of whom is a citizen of Atlasia, a national of Atlasia, or an immigrant alien of Atlasia.
      "(b) Savings - This section shall not affect the nationality status of any person born prior to January 1, 2008."
   (b) Status as nationals, but not citizens
      (1) In general
      The following shall be added as paragraph (5) of section 308 of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1408]:
      "(5) A person born inside Atlasia and its outlying possessions of parents residing inside Atlasia and its outlying possessions, but none of whom is subject to the jurisdiction of Atlasia: Provided, that a parent who is a nonimmigrant alien with a valid nonimmigrant visa at the time of birth shall not be considered under this paragraph to be residing inside Atlasia and its outlying possessions."
      (2) Conforming amendments
         (A) Section 308(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1408(3)] shall be amended by replacing "; and" at the end with ";".
         (A) Section 308(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1408(4)] shall be amended by replacing "." at the end with "; and".
   (c) Effective date
   This section shall be effective as of January 1, 2008.

§16. Repeal of exemption from from naturalization fees for aliens naturalized through certain military service
   (a) Repeal
   Effective beginning fiscal year 2008, section 3 of Pub. L. 90-633 [8 U.S.C. 1440e] shall be repealed.
   (b) Savings
   This section shall not be construed as to require payment of previously exempt fees of persons naturalized prior to fiscal year 2008.
 

Immigration Reform Act of 2007 (post 3 of 3)
 
§17. Repeal of refugee-specific education assistance
   The Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-422, Oct. 10, 1980, 94 Stat. 1799 [8 U.S.C. 1522 note] shall be repealed effective beginning fiscal year 2009.

§18. Repeal of Federal restriction on local residency educational benefits
   (a) Repeal
   Effective beginning July 1, 2008, Section 505 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 [8 U.S.C. 1623] shall be repealed.
   (b) Savings
   Local governments may, if they so desire, continue to condition the provision of higher education benefits available only to residents of that local government on the beneficiary being a citizen or national of Atlasia, or an alien lawfully present in Atlasia on or after July 1, 2008.
   (c) Construction
   This section shall not be construed as requiring a local government to provide such benefits to aliens not lawfully present in Atlasia unless such government has explicitly provided such benefits before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act.

§19. Unlawful employment of aliens reform
   Except that any reference to a specific year or date not determined in relation to the date of enactment shall be instead treated as a reference to a year or date one year later than the one currently in such text, Title III (Unlawful Employment of Aliens) of S.2611 (109th Congress), as engrossed by the U.S. Senate, shall be enacted as law.

---

Since what is now section 19 of this bill failed earlier as a separate Act because people objected to handling that aspect of the immigration issue by itself, I've added it to this bill, which despite what some might think, was already written up separately.

Okay, if the Senate unanimously passes this as it has done in the past, I think I just might prepare a pop quiz on what it actually does, because I'm almost 100% sure that no one is going to read any of this. :P

Establishment of Opebo Day Act

1. The sixth of October is hereby designated "Opebo Day", a federal holiday.
2. All federal institutions are to be closed on this day.
3. This is in honor of Opebo's infamous "Max Hardcore" quote which was originally issued on that date in the year of 2005.

If this passes, I will proudly be using my powers of regional nullification against this one.

Once again... I'm a little in the dark... "regional nullification"?

Where a region, usually by order of the governor, goes "F**K THE POLICE, I AIN'T FOLLOWIN NO RULES" and decides that a federal law does not apply to them.

Technically it's illegal, but the Southeastern region tends not to care.

Please, please post comments on legislation in the Senate Protest & Analysis thread.  This thread is only for introducing legislation.

I see... so basically the same problem that has been going on since forever... I was just worried that you guys had acctually constitutionalized it.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

      This Act may be cited as the 'Atlasian Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2007'.

SEC. 2. REPEAL OF UNITED NATIONS PARTICIPATION ACT.

      (a) Repeal- The United Nations Participation Act of 1945 (Public Law 79-264; 22 U.S.C. 287 (http://www.law.cornell.edu/usc-cgi/newurl?type=titlesect&title=22&section=287) et seq.) is repealed.

      (b) Termination of Participation in United Nations- The President shall terminate all participation by Atlasia in the United Nations, and any organ, specialized agency, commission, or other formally affiliated body of the United Nations.

      (c) Closure of Atlasia Mission to United Nations- Atlasia Mission to the United Nations is closed. Any remaining functions of such office shall not be carried out.

SEC. 3. REPEAL OF UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS AGREEMENT ACT.

      (a) Repeal- The United Nations Headquarters Agreement Act (Public Law 80-357 (http://www.un.int/usa/host_hqs.htm)) is repealed.

      (b) Withdrawal- Atlasia withdraws from the agreement between Atlasia and the United Nations regarding the headquarters of the United Nations (signed at Lake Success, New York, on June 26, 1947, which was brought into effect by the United Nations Headquarters Agreement Act).

SEC. 4. ATLASIAN ASSESSED AND VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE UNITED NATIONS.

      (a) Termination- No funds are authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available for assessed or voluntary contributions of Atlasia to the United Nations or any organ, specialized agency, commission or other formally affiliated body thereof, except that funds may be appropriated to facilitate withdrawal of Atlasian personnel and equipment. Upon termination of Atlasia membership, no payments shall be made to the United Nations or any organ, specialized agency, commission or other formally affiliated body thereof, out of any funds appropriated prior to such termination or out of any other funds available for such purposes.

      (b) Application- The provisions of this section shall apply to all agencies of the United Nations, including independent or voluntary agencies.

SEC. 5. UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS.

      (a) Termination- No funds are authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available for any Atlasian contribution to any United Nations military operation.

      (b) Terminations of Atlasia Participation in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations- No funds may be obligated or expended to support the participation of any member of the Armed Forces of Atlasia as part of any United Nations military or peacekeeping operation or force. No member of the Armed Forces of Atlasia may serve under the command of the United Nations.

SEC. 6. WITHDRAWAL OF UNITED NATIONS PRESENCE IN FACILITIES OF THE GOVERNMENT OF ATLASIAN AND REPEAL OF DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY.

      (a) Withdrawal From Atlasian Government Property- The United Nations (including any affiliated agency of the United Nations) shall not occupy or use any property or facility of Atlasia Government.

      (b) Diplomatic Immunity- No officer or employee of the United Nations or any representative, officer, or employee of any mission to the United Nations of any foreign government shall be entitled to enjoy the privileges and immunities of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of April 18, 1961, nor may any such privileges and immunities be extended to any such individual. The privileges, exemptions and immunities provided for in the International Organizations Immunities Act of December 29, 1945 (59 Stat. 669; 22 U.S.C. 288 (http://www.law.cornell.edu/usc-cgi/newurl?type=titlesect&title=22&section=288), 288a-f), or in any agreement or treaty to which Atlasia is a party, including the agreement entitled `Agreement Between the United Nations and Atlasia Regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations', signed June 26, 1947 (22 U.S.C. 287 (http://www.law.cornell.edu/usc-cgi/newurl?type=titlesect&title=22&section=287)), and the Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, entered into force with respect to Atlasia on April 29, 1970 (21 UST 1418; TIAS 6900; UNTS 16), shall not apply to the United Nations or any organ, specialized agency, commission or other formally affiliated body thereof, to the officers and employees of the United Nations, or any organ, specialized agency, commission or other formally affiliated body thereof, or to the families, suites or servants of such officers or employees.

SEC. 7. REPEAL OF UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION ACT.

      The joint resolution entitled `A joint resolution providing for membership and participation by Atlasia in the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, and authorizing an appropriation therefor' approved July 30, 1946 (Public Law 79-565, 22 U.S.C. 287 (http://www.law.cornell.edu/usc-cgi/newurl?type=titlesect&title=22&section=287)m-287t), is repealed.

SEC. 8. REPEAL OF UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM PARTICIPATION ACT OF 1973.

      The United Nations Environment Program Participation Act of 1973 (22 U.S.C. 287 (http://www.law.cornell.edu/usc-cgi/newurl?type=titlesect&title=22&section=287) note) is repealed.

SEC. 9. REPEAL OF ATLASIAN PARTICIPATION IN THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION.

      The joint resolution entitled `Joint Resolution providing for membership and participation by Atlasia in the World Health Organization and authorizing an appropriation therefor,' approved June 14, 1948 (22 U.S.C. 290 (http://www.law.cornell.edu/usc-cgi/newurl?type=titlesect&title=22&section=290), 290a-e-1) is repealed.

SEC. 10. REPEAL OF INVOLVEMENT IN UNITED NATIONS CONVENTIONS AND AGREEMENTS.

      As of the date of the enactment of this Act, Atlasia will end any and all participation in any and all conventions and agreements with the United Nations and any organ, specialized agency, commission, or other formally affiliated body of the United Nations. Any remaining functions of such conventions and agreements shall not be carried out.

SEC. 11. REEMPLOYMENT WITH ATLASIAN GOVERNMENT AFTER SERVICE WITH AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION.

      Nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect the rights of employees under subchapter IV of chapter 35 of title 5, United States Code (http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/uscode05/usc_sup_01_5_10_III_20_B_30_35_40_IV.html), relating to reemployment after service with an international organization.

SEC. 12. NOTIFICATION.

      Effective on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State External Affairs shall notify the United Nations and any organ, specialized agency, commission, or other formally affiliated body of the United Nations of the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 13. EFFECTIVE DATE.

      Except as otherwise provided, this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Senate Resolution of Expulsion (Gully Foyle)

Whereas,
1. Article 1, Section 3, Clause 1 of the Constitution gives the right to the Senate to expel one it's member;
2. The Senator for District 1 has not involved himself in Senate proceedings since 6 February 2007, but has continued forum activity outside Atlasia;
3. The citizens of District 1 deserve equal representation;

It is hereby resolved that:
1. Senator Gully Foyle be expelled from the Senate;
2. The PPT shall give notice of this expulsion to the Secretary of Forum Affairs such that an election may be held to fill the seat with due haste.

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I would ask that this matter be brought to the floor for consideration and vote as soon as possible.

Requirements for a Political Party Act
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Findings

There are 18 Political Parties (including Independent) and 71 citizens in Atlasia, which would average roughly 4 members per party. Many of the current parties have had minimal activity. This legislation shall attempt to make political parties act like a party.

Designations

A party shall have one of the following designations:

• 1. New - A party shall be designated as "New" upon the time that the first person registers as a member of that party. It shall keep this designation until it meets the requirements for an "Organized" Party or until 60 days or a Presidential Election pass in which it shall become a "Unorganized" Party.
• 2. Organized - A party shall be designated as "Organized" as long as it continues to meet the requirements stated in the Requirements section of this Act.
• 3. Unorganized - A "New" Party that fails to meet the requirements of an "Organized" Party after 60 days of its formation or by the following Presidential Election, whichever comes later, shall be designated as an "Unorganized" Party.
• 4. Disorganized - A party that was "Organized" but failed to meet to requirements to remain an "Organized" Party shall be designated as a "Disorganized" Party.
• 5. Comedic - A party may designate itself a "Comedic" or Joke party in which the party has no serious political agenda. (Examples include the Atlasian Monster Raving Loony Party, Birthday Party, and King's Joke Parties.)
• 6. Dissolved - If a party is Unorganized or Disorganized for an entire Presidential Election Cycle, it shall be "Dissolved" and its members shall be declared Independent.
• 7. Major and Minor - An Organized Political Party with at least two members up to 5% of the total population of Atlasia is a Minor Organized Political Party while one with greater than 5% is a Major Organized Political Party.

Requirements

In order to be an Organized Party, a party must have:

• 1. an ideological summary (such as Neo-Conservatism, Paleo-Libertarianism, Social Liberalism, Socialism, Hawkish Foreign Policy, Nationalism, Federalism).
• 2. produce a platform (as defined by Section 3 of the Miscellany Act).
• 3. a chairperson. (A party is free to have other officers as it so chooses.)
• 4. a convention between every Presidential Election.
• 5. more than one member.

Mergers

If two parties merge, than the new party shall have the designation of the party that was higher (New - Unorganized - Disorganized - Organized). It shall have 60 days to re-meet the Requirements.

ANTI EMO ACT

-An act, that if approved by the Atlasian Senate would outlaw all forms and associations of the followings of all groups relating to "emo" (emotional) followings.

1. This ban includes "emo" dress (including but not limited to very tight girl pants), music, and attitude, also including physical appearance including but not limited to wrist scars and scratch marks, black painted nails, and long comb-over style hair that unnaturally covers one eye.

2. This ban also includes law that the above mentioned aspects will also be enfoced upon all "goth" and "anarchy" followers as well, including all similar followings and offshoots.


I'd like this bill to be tabled by Calendars or the President of the Senate, and make it open to debate, amendment, and voting. (or whatever the normal procedure is if you please)

Legalization of Prostitution Bill

Section 1: Applicability
1. This law shall only apply in the District of Columbia and in federal territories which do not form part of any Region.

Section 2: Findings
1. The criminalization of consensual sex in which money is paid for participation in the sex act is a violation of civil liberties.
2. The regulation of legalized brothels will allow for an increase in public safety by mandating tests and protections against sexually transmitted infections.

Section 3: Legalization of Prostitution
1. No law shall exist criminalizing the act of paying for participation in a sex act.
2. All prostitutes must be 18 or older, and must sign a legal statement that their actions are voluntary.
3. Anyone engaging in the services of a prostitute must be 18 or older.

Section 4: Limitations
1. No establishment where more than 3 prostitutes conduct their transactions with clients, nor one that is newly established in a non-residential structure, shall be permitted to be established within 200 yards of a public school.
2. Local governments shall have the right to regulate the prostitution industry, including for health and safety purposes. Such regulations may include, but are not limited to:
    - Requiring use of a registered location while engaging in business (i.e. forbidding 'street work');
    - Requiring mandatory drug and venereal disease tests;
    - Mandating use of contraceptive devices during business activities;
    - Implementing limits on prostitution stricter then those specified in Sections 1 to 3 of this act.
3. Where no local regulations exist as per Clause 2, the following regulations shall be followed:
    - Female prostitutes engaging in sexual intercourse with a male customer will be required to either use pregnancy-prevention contraceptives (including birth control, a condom, or a diaphragm) or sign a legal document beforehand waiving the right to seek child support from the customer.
    - Female customers engaging in sexual intercourse with a male prostitute will be required to either use pregnancy-prevention contraceptives (including birth control, a condom, or a diaphragm) or sign a legal document beforehand waiving the right to seek child support from the prostitute.
    - All prostitutes shall be required to utilize condoms during any sexual activity, unless both the customer and the prostitute sign a legal statement waiving any right to legal action if a venereal disease is transmitted through the act.
    - Prostitutes shall be required to obtain testing for venereal diseases, including HIV, once a month. If a venereal disease is detected, the prostitute is forbidden from seeing further customers, until and unless the disease is no longer present or is in a noncommunicable stage.
4. The government shall have the right to tax the services given by the prostitution industry in applicable areas.

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Acceptance of Science Bill

Section 1: Abstinence
No funds from the federal government shall go towards any sex education curriculum that promotes any of the following beliefs as true or scientifically legitimate:
1.) the process of terminating a pregnancy is sinful, wrong, or murderous.
2.) the trait of homosexuality or bisexuality is an entirely conscious choice and/or is strange, unnatural, or sinful.
3.) the participation in homosexual sex acts is sinful, wrong, or unnatural.
4.) the proper use of contraceptive devices including but not limited to condoms is grossly ineffective in preventing pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections.
5.) engaging in sexual activity before marriage with proper precautions is immoral, dangerous, or sinful.
6.) males and females should limit themselves to careers which have historically been associated with masculine and feminine roles, respectively.

Section 2: Biology
No funds from the federal government shall go towards any scientific education curriculum that promotes any of the following beliefs as true or scientifically legitimate:
1.) the status of biological evolution as a scientific theory is somehow different or set apart from that of other scientific theories such as gravity or relativity.
2.) fossil evidence for biological macroevolution is largely inaccurate or misinterpreted by mainstream scientists, or presents a picture that contradicts with biological evolutionary theory.
3.) radioactive carbon dating is always inaccurate or scientifically unreliable.
4.) the age of the earth is less than ten thousand years.
5.) the origins of the universe and of life on earth are scientifically explained by religious texts or creeds.
6.) the complexity of certain types of life on earth are of such a magnitude that they present valid evidence for that of a higher power or "intelligent designer."
7.) the trait of homosexual behavior does not exist within the animal kingdom outside of humans.
8.) creation theories are valid within the scientific method.
9.) the Second Law of Thermodynamics disproves the Big Bang.

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Decriminalization of LSD Bill

Section 1: Applicability
1. This law shall only apply in the District of Columbia and in federal territories which do not form part of any Region.

Section 2: In Regards to the Legal Status of LSD
1. The possession and consumption of LSD (also known as lysergic acid diethylamide, LSD-25, or "acid"), a non-addictive semisynthetic psychedelic drug, shall be lawful for anyone who is 18 years or older.
2. This law shall not be interpreted as to decriminalize driving under the influence of LSD.

Prohibition of My Chemical Romance Bill

Section 1: Applicability
1. This law shall apply in all Atlasian territories

Section 2: Findings
1. My Chemical Romance's music is some of the most awful sh!t ever created with some of the stupidest fans on Earth.

Section 3: Banning of My Chemical Romance
1. No person may possess a My Chemical Romance CD, record, tape, MP3 or any other digital audio format, t-shirt, poster or any other type of merchandise.
2. Anyone in violation of this act shall be fed to a lion.

Section 4: Limitations
1. This bill shall not apply to members of the Atlasian Senate, as it contains some of the few good people who actually do listen to My Chemical Romance for who knows what reason.

Extradition Bill

1. It shall be the policy of the government of Atlasia that no foreign person suspected of a crime will be extradited to a nation where he or she may receive the death penalty for that crime.

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Repeal of the Sin Tax Bill

1. F.L. 11-6, National Sin Tax Act, is repealed.
2. Clause 2 of F.L. 15-5, Tax Increase Act, is repealed.

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Discrimination Bill

1. This law shall only apply in the District of Columbia and any federal territories which do not form part of any Region.
2. Employment of persons shall not be denied or abridged on account of sexual orientation.
3. Any employer found guilty of violation of Clause 2 shall be fined no more than $5,000 per employee (or prospective employee) unlawfully denied employment, in addition to whatever damages a Court may award the employee (or prospective employee).

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Death with Dignity Bill

Section 1: Application
1. This law shall apply only in federal territories and the District of Columbia.

Section 2: The Right to Die
1. The Right to a dignified death is hereby granted to all those mentally sane residents who are over the age of 18 of the applicable areas as specified in Section 1.
2. In order to invoke this Right, the person must sign a notice containing their wishes and must have the same signed by a public notary.
3. The method of assisting a dignified death to be employed by medical practitioners will be to write a prescription for lethal medication.  The medical practitioner who writes the prescription may not be present when the patient takes the medication.
4. This section shall not be construed as to legalize euthanasia, defined as the assisted suicide of a mentally sane patient where the doctor directly assists in the request.

Section 3: Medical Determinations
1. A person shall be deemed to be mentally sane if a certified medical practitioner with specialism in psychiatry shall certify the same in writing.
2. None of those performing certification pursuant to this Section may benefit directly or indirectly from the death of the person concerned, except as may occur through the payment for provision of services.

Section 4: Prosecutions
1. No medical practitioner writing a lethal medication for the person requesting a dignified death shall be prosecutable unless they have in some way deviated from or ignored the procedures outlined in this statute.
2. If a medical practitioner shall deviate from the procedure in this statute, then they shall be liable to have their medical license revoked and may be subject to prosecution in the Courts, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine of up to $100,000.
3. If a medical practitioner shall unduly encourage to invoke their rights as outlined in Section 2 or Section 3 and shall assist in executing these rights, or shall engage in direct action to hasten death without consent, then they shall be guilty of murder.

Fair Tax Act of 2007

1.) All citizens making less than $100,000 will pay 5% of their taxable income to the federal government
2.) All citizens making between $100,000 and $200,000 will pay 10% of their taxable income
3.) All citizens making between $200,000 and $1,000,000 will pay 15% of thier taxable income
4.) All citizens making over $1,000,000 will pay 18% of their taxable income
5.) A national sales tax of 18% will be collected on non-essential items
6.) A list of essential items will be agreed upon after passage
7.) This bill will take effect the following fiscal year after it is passed

Presidential Elections Amendment

1. To change the amount of time between presidential elections to two months
2. To change Article II, Section II, Part 1 from:
Presidential elections shall be held in the month of February, June, and October to Presidential elections shall be held in the months of February, April, June, August, October, and December

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Fairness to the Voter Amendment

1. To change the period of time it requires from a person registering to a person voting.
2. To change Article IV, Section 2, Part 4 of the constitution from:
In order to vote or be a candidate in an election, the person must have been a registered voter on the tenth day before that election to In order to vote or be a candidate in an election, the person must have been a registered voter on the third day before that election
3. A voter may also edit their vote up to 20 minutes after the original post

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Laotian Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Laos.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this act.

Cambodian Free Trade Bill

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Cambodia.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this act.

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Unlike Laos, Cambodia is a democracy. Of a sort.

EDITED TO BECOME CONSTITUTIONAL

National Public Smoking Ban

Section 1: Bans
1. Smoking of tabacco, marijuna, and all other legal smokeable drugs can no longer be smoked on government property
2. The owner of non-government property may still decide whether or not to allow smoking on their premisis

Section 2: Fines
1. The fine for smoking in public shall be $50 for the first offense, $100 for the second, and $500 for the third and $1,000 for all other fines after.
2. The revenue will be used to fund the interstate highway system
3. The drug that was being smoked will have no effect on the penalties

Section 3: Private Smoking
1. All drugs shall be legal for private use
2. It is still illegal to grow your own drugs
3. All drugs made legal by the bill that were not legal already will be taxed at 20%

Section 4: Jurisdiction
1. This law shall only apply in DC and federal territories

Unconstitutional

I'm confused as to why, is there something I can do to constitutionalize it?

Easy, the Senate only has the power to regulate within the enumerated powers given to it otherwise all other powers are devolved to the regions. Unless you can frame this within one of the two Public Health powers of the Senate but those are specifically concerned with providing research grants and making rules and regulations regarding vaccination and quarentine.

So yes this is almost certainly unconstitutional. Now each different region can pass something like this but for this to be constitutional it has to be one of those "this only applies in the District of Columbia and other federal territories" half-measures or else it will run foul of Article I Section 5 of the Constitution.

Cabinet Member Election Amendment

1. Allow cabinet members to be voted on by the citizens of Atlasia.
2. Elections will run concurrently the presidential elections
3. There shall be no term limits for cabinet members
4. IRV voting will used as in all elections
5. This pertains to all cabinet positions and any created or renamed in the future

EDITED: made into amendment

The following bill is being submitted as a bipartisan bill sponsored by both Senator DownWithTheLeft and Senator Ebowed

Abolition of Farm Subsidies For Real Bill

Whereas, F.L. 9-13 "Farm Subsidies Abolition Act" did not abolish farm subsidies:

1. Sections I, II, IV, and V of the Farm Subsidies Abolition Act are repealed.
2. All farm subsidies are hereby abolished, effective from Fiscal Year 2008.

introduced as a Senate Resolution:

Resolution on the issue of Atlasian recognition of the United States of America

Whereas, contrary to the official standpoint of the Atlasian government, the United States of America are still in existence, and still in possession of all the territories formerly in their possession,

1. The Government of Atlasia is urged to recognize de jure the United States of America, and the legality of the government of the United States of America.
2. The Government of Atlasia is urged to establish diplomatic relations with the United States of America.
3. The Government and the people of Atlasia are urged to frigging come to grips with the fact that Atlasia ain't no superpower, but is in fact a tiny US-shaped country with a population in the low three-digits.

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There. My parting gift.

Redundant (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Protection_of_the_Right_to_Bear_Arms_Act), fool.

As outgoing (and final) GM I endorse this

The following bill is being introduced by Senator DownWithTheLeft with Mr. SouthParkConservative as a show of appreciation to the VP and we wish him luck in his current struggle.  We hope this bill will encourage research to be done on cancer.

Yates Cancer Research Bill
Section 1:
1.) All people who donate 5% of their income or more to cancer research will receive a 10% tax cut.
2.) All people who donate 10% of their income or more to cancer reserach will receive a 20% tax cut.
3.) This law will apply to donations made to research all types of cancer.

Section 2:
1.) The government will provide $10 million more to cancer research per year starting in 2009.

Legalization of Prostitution Bill

Section 1: Applicability
1. This law shall only apply in the District of Columbia and in federal territories which do not form part of any Region.

Section 2: Findings
1. The criminalization of consensual sex in which money is paid for participation in the sex act is a violation of civil liberties.
2. The regulation of legalized brothels will allow for an increase in public safety by mandating tests and protections against sexually transmitted infections.

Section 3: Legalization of Prostitution
1. No law shall exist criminalizing the act of paying for participation in a sex act.

Section 4: Limitations
1. Local governments shall have the right to regulate the prostitution industry, including for health and safety purposes. Such regulations may include, but are not limited to:
    - Requiring use of a registered location while engaging in business (i.e. forbidding 'street work');
    - Requiring mandatory drug and venereal disease tests;
    - Mandating use of contraceptive devices during business activities;
2. Where no local regulations exist as per Clause 2, the following regulations shall be followed:
- All prostitutes shall be required to utilize condoms during vaginal or anal intercourse.
    - Prostitutes shall be required to obtain testing for venereal diseases, including HIV, once a month. If a venereal disease is detected, the prostitute is forbidden from seeing further customers, until and unless the disease is no longer present or is in a noncommunicable stage.
3. The government shall have the right to tax the services given by the prostitution industry in applicable areas.

Enforcement of Half Plus Seven Rule Bill

1. No marriages after the effect of this bill shall be recognized in which one party to marriage's age is less than half the age of the other party plus seven years.
2. All current marriages covered by the law will remain valid, but upon divorce or death of one of the parties, the parties will be subject to the law as anyone else.

Guam Statehood Act

1.) After a majority vote of the citizens of Guam voting in the affirmative for statehood in a referendum administered five days after the passage of this act by the territorial government of Guam, the Guam is hereby entered in the Union of Atlasia as the 52nd state under the name of Guam.

2.) Guam shall become a State in the Pacific.

3.) Guam shall be assigned to District 5 until the next round of redistricting when commensurate with the Constitution it shall be liable to be moved to another District.

4.) The State of Guam shall be given full rights from whichever district/region it’s placed into and be under full jurisdiction of the Atlasian constitution.

Citizen Marriage Act

1. Anyone who applies for a marriage license inside the boundaries of Atlasia must be a citizen of the Atlasia
2. Marriages between non-citizens will remain valid
3. Penalties will be regulated by the state government for anyone who marries an illegal, vacationer, resident alien, or other non-citizen

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Establishment of 9/11 Rememberance Day

1. September 11th will now be an Atlasia holiday in rememberance of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
2. All Atlasia institutions will close on that day

Free Trade for All Act

1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and any nation.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this act.
3. Any government deemed as "hostile" or an "enemy" will not apply.
4. Any senator wishing to add a country to not apply may propose (1) amendment including them
 

Not this sh*t again...

My point is to eliminate all those frivolous laws and combine them into one

Stop posting in the Legislation Introduction thread.  We have a debate thread.  Are you illiterate?

Partially :)

And here's another bill:

Establishment of Advertisment Currency
1. The Republic of Atlasia will now allow for businesses to pay for advertisment on the back of Atlasia quarters
2. The advertising will be bid on at the beginning of the fiscal year
3. The business must purchase at least 5,000 quarters
4. A quota of 100,000 advertising quarters may be minted each year

Ratification of the Kyoto Treaty

1. The Republic of Atlasia hereby ratifies the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change as agreed in Japan in 1997.

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Copyrights Bill

1. U.S. Code Title 17, Chapter 3, Section 2, Clause 1 is amended to read "Copyright in a work created on or after January 1, 1978, subsists from its creation and, except as provided by the following subsections, endures for a term consisting of twenty-five years or until the death of the owner, whichever occurs first."
2. U.S. Code Title 17, Chapter 3, Section 2, Clause 2 is amended to read "In the case of a joint work prepared by two or more authors who did not work for hire, the copyright endures for a term consisting of twenty-five years or until the death of the last owner of the copyright, whichever occurs first."
3. U.S. Code Title 17, Chapter 3, Section 2, Clause 3 is amended to read "In the case of an anonymous work, a pseudonymous work, or a work made for hire, the copyright endures for a term of 20 years from the year of its first publication, or a term of 25 years from the year of its creation, whichever expires first."
4. No person shall be held liable for the use of computers or the Internet in copying, sharing, or distributing copyrighted music, movie, television, text, image, or software files.

Friendly Amendments Senate Procedural Resolution
1. Insert new clause 2 into Article 4, Section 3 of the OSPR with following text:

During this debate time the main sponsor of the legislation may motion to accept the proposed Amendment as a Friendly Amendment. The PPT shall then allow 24 hours for any other Senator to object to accepting the Amendment as a Friendly Amendment. If no other Senator objects then the Amendment shall be ajudged to have been unanimously passed by the Senate and will be automatically incorporated into the Bill. If a Senator objects to accepting the Amendment in this fashion then it shall be voted upon as specified in the rest of this Section.

2. Subsequent clauses in Section are re-numbered to retain consistency.

I suggest this already and most thought it was a bad idea

Resolution Amending the Position of Dean of the Senate

1. Article 2, Section 2, Clause 3 of the OSPR shall be amended to read as follows:
"In the event that the President of the Senate should be absent by reason of (a) exercising responsibility as Acting President of the Republic of Atlasia under the Constitution; (b) vacancy of the Vice Presidency; or (c) having failed to post in the Atlas Forum for a period of no less than 7 days, then the powers given by this Resolution to the President of the Senate shall instead be exercised by the Dean of the Senate."

2. Article 1, Section 2, Clause 3 of the OSPR shall be amended by the addition of the following to the existing clause:
"The Senate may, by a two-thirds majority vote on an ordinary resolution, pass the title, powers and responsibilities of the Dean of the Senate, to the next longest serving Senator (not having been removed from the position by the Senate previously), for any reason whatsoever."

Carbon Tax Act

§1. Determination of Taxable Carbon Dioxide
(a) The President shall determine based on the best available scientific evidence available, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by the production and consumption of fossil fuels for the purpose of applying the tax called for in this act.
(b) The initial determination shall be due on the September 30, 2007 or thirty days after the passage of this Act, whichever is later, such determination shall be used for the calculation of the tax imposed in calendar year 2008.
(c) For calendar years after 2008, the President may issue a revised determination no later than September 30 of the prior calendar year.  If no revision is made the determination used in the prior calendar year shall be used.

§2. Determination of Base Tax Rate
(a) For calendar year 2008, there shall be a base tax of $5 per tonne of emitted carbon dioxide.
(b) For calendar year 2009, there shall be a base tax of $10 per tonne of emitted carbon dioxide.
(c) For calendar year 2010, there shall be a base tax of $15 per tonne of emitted carbon dioxide.
(d) For calendar year 2011, there shall be a base tax of $20 per tonne of emitted carbon dioxide.
(e) For calendar year 2012, there shall be a base tax of $25 per tonne of emitted carbon dioxide.
(f) For calendar year 2013, there shall be a base tax of $30 per tonne of emitted carbon dioxide.
(g) For calendar year 2014, there shall be a base tax of $35 per tonne of emitted carbon dioxide.
(h) For calendar year 2015, there shall be a base tax of $40 per tonne of emitted carbon dioxide.
(i) For calendar year 2016, there shall be a base tax of $45 per tonne of emitted carbon dioxide.
(j) For calendar year 2017, there shall be a base tax of $50 per tonne of emitted carbon dioxide.
(k) For calendar year 2018 and beyond, the base tax per tonne of emitted carbon dioxide shall be that of the previous calendar year multiplied by the factor determined in section 3.

§3. Tax increase factor
(a) The calculation of the factor to be used in section 2(k) shall be made no later than September 30 of the year preceding the calendar year for which the factor shall be used to determine the base tax rate per tonne of emitted carbon dioxide.  In the event that the calculation is not made by that time, a factor of 1.1 shall be used.
(b) The base factor shall be the geometric mean of Atlasian carbon dioxide emissions in the five calendar years previous to the calculation of the tax increase factor divided by Atlasian carbon dioxide emissions in the calendar year 1990.
(c)(1) If the base factor is greater than 1.1, then the factor to be used shall be 0.99 + 0.1 * the base factor.
(2) If the base factor is between 1.0 and 1.1 then the factor to be used shall be the base factor.
(3) If the base factor is lesser than 1.0, then the factor to be used shall be 1.0.

§4 Adjustment for inflation.
The base tax rate called for in section 2 shall be multiplied by the Core Producer Price Index as of the September prior to the calendar year for which the tax shall be assessed divided by the  Core Producer Price Index as of September 2007.

§5 Applicability
This tax shall be assessed on all fossil fuels produced in Atlasia or imported into Atlasia.

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As far as gasoline is concerned this is a very modest tax of $0.50 / gallon as of 2017, but coal produced electricity would would increase by 4 to 5 cents per kWh, which would be a about a 50% increase in the price, so I can't see implementing a carbon tax on a faster schedule without risking significant economic impacts, especially since I have chosen not to exempt any uses from the tax as most carbon taxes that have been passed do, though I have limited it to just fossil fuel CO2 emissions since that is the type of greenhouse gas emission for which I have been able to obtain info as to the price impact in real world terms.

In any case, a carbon tax is far preferable to the cap and trade scheme of Kyoto.  Far too many opportunities for abuse, fraud, and bureaucracy under cap and trade.

Liberalization of Sex Laws Bill

1. F.L. 13-17, Unified Federal Territories Sex Crimes Act, is amended in the following ways:
a.) Section 3, clauses 1c, 1d, and 4 are repealed.
b.) Section 4 shall be amended to read "The act of bestiality, which is defined as gross sexual imposition, sexual assault, or the committing of a sexual act with an animal that is not a human being, shall be illegal.  Any person found guilty of bestiality shall be sentenced to no more than one year in jail and/or shall be fined no more than $2,000."
c.) Section 5, clause 1 is amended to read "Sexual acts relating to necrophilia, as defined in clause 2, shall be illegal.  Any person found guilty of sexual acts relating to necrophilia shall be sentenced to no more than one year in jail and/or shall be fined no more than $2,000.  Appropriate penalties relating to restrictions on cemetery visits and in particular contact with the family of the person whose corpse has been defiled may be applied by juries as they see fit."
d.) Section 6 is repealed.
e.) Section 7 is amended to read "It shall be legal to buy, possess and view pornography depicting only persons of 18 years of age or older."
f.) A new section, to be considered Section 8 and titled "Regarding Legal Status of Contraception," will be added to the bill to read "Any law restricting the legal access to contraceptive devices to any person on the basis of age or marital status is repealed."

Bill to Establish Atlasian Policy Towards HIV/AIDS

Section 1: Findings
1. The scientific consensus notes that AIDS is caused by HIV.
2. The scientific consensus notes that condoms are an effective method of preventing HIV transmission among sexually active people.
3. The scientific consensus notes that allowing needle exchange is an effective method of preventing HIV transmission among intravenous drug users.
4. The World Health Organization estimates that 25 million people have died from AIDS since 1981, and approximately 38.6 million people are living with the disease worldwide.

Section 2: Needle Exchange
1. Noting that needle exchange programs are effective in decreasing the rate of HIV and Hepatitis C, the federal government pledges $40 million to fund needle exchange programs effective Fiscal Year 2008.

Section 3: Condom Distribution
1. Noting that condom use offers effective protection against sexually transmitted infections including HIV, the federal government pledges $60 million to fund condom distribution programs effective Fiscal Year 2008.

I figured I better introduce this...

Fairness to the Office Holder Amendment

1. Article V, Sec. 1, Part II of the Constitution is hereby repealed

Perjury Bill

Section 1: Perjury

Any person who takes an oath before a competent tribunal or officer that he will testify, declare, depose, or certify truly, or that any written testimony, declaration, deposition, or certificate by him subscribed, is true, willfully and contrary to such oath states or subscribes any material matter which he does not believe to be true is guilty of perjury.

Section 2: Trial of Perjury

Perjury shall be tried as though it were a crime under the Consolidated Criminal Justice Act

Section 3: Punishment of Perjury

Sentencing of the crime shall be by the presiding Justice; He may use any combination of the following as punishment, depending upon the severity of the offense:

1. Up to one year revokation of registration within Atlasia.
2. Up to two years ban from holding any office under the Republic of Atlasia.

Darfur Divestment Bill

1. All companies operating in Atlasia shall divest all funds that are invested in Sudan by August 1, 2007.
2. Any company that does not divest from Sudan by the above date shall face a fine of $1,000 fine for every employee each day that it is still invested in Sudan.
3. Sections 1 and 2 of this bill will expire on February 1, 2008.

Free Palestine Bill

1. The Republic of Atlasia condemns the use of terrorism by groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas in trying to destroy the nation of Israel and to kill innocent Israeli people.
2. The Republic of Atlasia deplores the nation of Israel for using curfews, walls, and other freedom-restricting measures on the Palestinian people.
3. The Republic of Atlasia hereby recognizes the nation of Palestine as being made up by Gaza Strip and West Bank upon the condemnation of terrorism by top Palestinian officials.
4. The Republic of Atlasia hereby calls upon the United Nations, and more specifically Israel to recognize Palestine after the said conditions are met.
5. If the said conditions are met and Israel still does not recognize Palestine, the Republic of Atlasia will hereby withhold 40% of military aid to Israel and 5% more aid will be witheld for every month Israel does not recognize Palestine.

President of Atlasia Commerative Coin Act

1. The Atlasian Mint shall issue one dollar gold-plated coins to commenerate all former presidents of Atlasia
2. The front shall depicit an artist redention of the president
3. The back shall depicit a symbol from their home state
4. The treasury shall begin minting these coin on January 1, 2008
5. A president must be out of office for five months before being commenerated

---

Not more of this.

What me beating you in elections :)

You are disgusting, so is your legislation

I will not retract my David Yates legislation, however, I have made due changes

Please stop posting in here unless you're posting legislation :'(

Alaskan Wildlife Protection Bill

1. F.L. 6-21 is repealed.

Estate Tax Reform Bill

1. Effective FY 2008, Clause 3 of the Tax Increase Act is amended as follows:
Each portion of the value of the estate shall be taxed at the following rates, with each rate corresponding to the tax rate on only the portion of the estate that falls in the appointed range:

a) $0-$2,000,000 – 0%
b) $2,000,001-$4,000,000 – 3%
c) $4,000,001-$9,000,000 – 4%
d) $9,000,001-$15,500,000 – 5%
e) $15,500,001-$22,000,000 – 7.5%
f) $22,000,001-$45,000,000 – 10%
g) $45,000,001-$75,000,000 – 12.5%
h) $75,000,001-$100,000,000 – 15%
i) $100,000,001 and above – 17.5%
j) Farmers' non-residential property shall be taxed at 50% the normal tax rate.

---

Educational Funding Clarification Bill

No federal money shall go towards any regional school voucher system which funds the tuitions for schools which meet any of the following criteria:
a.) Teaches one religious faith to the exclusion of all others
b.) Prohibits students from joining on the basis of race, nationality, religion, or sexual orientation
c.) Allows the use of corporal punishment by school staff or administration.

Establishing an Official Language of Atlasia Act

1. English is hereby established as the official language of Atlasia.
2. All government documents shall be printed in English and only English
3. The government sponsoring anything containing another language is hereby prohibited

Oh lord please.

Just in case something goes wrong with my taking up sponsorship of the LSD bill, I will get it in line:

Decriminalization of LSD Bill

Section 1: Applicability
1. This law shall only apply in the District of Columbia and in federal territories which do not form part of any Region.

Section 2: In Regards to the Legal Status of LSD
1. The possession and consumption of LSD (also known as lysergic acid diethylamide, LSD-25, or "acid"), a non-addictive semisynthetic psychedelic drug, shall be lawful for anyone who is 18 years or older.
2. This law shall not be interpreted as to decriminalize driving under the influence of LSD.

Section 3: Purchasing LSD
1. The sale of LSD shall be regulated by the government
2. All sales of LSD will be taxed 22%
3. Purchases of LSD will be limited to 500 micrograms of LSD per day

Withdrawal Act

To add a new appropriatley numbered section to the OSPR stating the following:
1. Any bill that he has reached the senate floor may be withdrawn by the sponsor at any time
2. Another senator has seventy-two (72) hours to pick up sponsorship of the bill, otherwise the bill is no longer valid.

Introduction to Atlasia Act

Whereas the Senate finds that it is beneficial to new citizens (hereinafter ‘newbies’) of Atlasia to have ease of access to basic information regarding the nation:

1. It shall hereinafter be the responsibility of the Secretary of Forum Affairs (hereinafter ‘SoFA’) to maintain an introductory thread in the Atlas Fantasy Elections Forum containing therein such matters which may be of use or benefit to newbies.

2. This thread shall include the following opening statement:
Welcome to Atlasia, a political/governmental simulation wherein participants take part in elections and referenda which shape the nature and laws of the nation. Atlasia operates as a federal state with five regions. The federal government has three branches: executive (President and Cabinet); legislative (Senate); and judicial (Supreme Court). Elections to the Presidency and Senate are held regularly.

The five regions are the Mideast; Midwest; Northeast; Pacific and Southeast. Each comprises around 10 states. Citizens of each region can participate in the regional government either as elected representatives such as the Governor or simply as proposers of legislation at the regional level. Each region has developed their own constitutions which set out their system of government.

Parties
Numerous parties exist in Atlasia encompassing a wide range of ideological positions. Many parties have a leadership, organise a platform and put forward and endorse candidates for elections. A brief summary of the ideology of the major parties is provided below. There are also numerous Independents in Atlasia who act outside of any party structure.

Registration
To join Atlasia, you must register in the Registration Thread. Simple state your name; preferred state of residence; and the party you wish to register with. You can register at any time, however there are rules in place limiting rights to vote to those who have reached a total post count on the forum of 50; have posted more than 25 times in the previous 8 weeks; and have registered more than 10 days prior to the election.

Further Information
If you want to learn more about Atlasia, you can explore the Atlas Wiki which stores the Atlasian and regional Constitutions and laws, as well as information on current office holders and some details about many of the current (and past) participants in Atlasia.

Also, you should feel free to post any questions you have about Atlasia in this thread and someone should shortly be able to provide some guidance.

3. Following the above opening statement, the SoFA shall post short statements from each of the major parties (i.e. those having 5 or more registered members). It shall be the responsibility of each party to provide a short statement (no longer than 100 words) outlining the ideology of the party to the SoFA for posting in this thread. The party may also include a link to another site (such as the party’s wiki page) which shall not count towards their word limit. Parties shall not be obliged to produce any such details should they so choose. Those which do not shall forfeit their entry. Major parties may at any time give to the SoFA an amended statement for posting.

4. The SoFA shall be free to edit the opening statement such that it correctly represents the law or state of affairs of Atlasia.

5. Each new SoFA shall create a new Introductory Thread within the terms of this Act. The SoFA shall make such representations and efforts as are necessary to ensure that his new thread shall be ‘stickied’ such that it shall always be easily accessible to newbies.

6. The SoFA shall be allowed to include in the thread such other information as he considers desirous or useful for newbies to be made aware of.

Expansion of Presidential Line Item Veto Power Amendment

Article I, Section 3, Clause 4 of the Constitution shall be amended to read as follows:

Whensoever the Senate shall pass a bill and present it to the President, he shall have the option to amend the bill and return it to the Senate in amended form. The President shall have this option only once with any particular bill presented to him. The sponsor of the bill shall then have the following options:

(a) motion to approve the President’s redraft by simple majority and return it to the President for his signature or veto – should this motion fail, the bill, as it was prior to being redrafted, shall be returned to the President for his signature or veto;

(b) motion to reject the President’s redraft in it’s entirety by simple majority and return it to the President for his signature or veto – should this motion fail, debate on the bill, in its redrafted form, shall resume in the Senate;

(c) direct for resumed debate on the bill as presented to the president;

(d) withdraw the bill.

People’s Referendum Amendment

Article 1, Section 3, Clause 5 of the Atlasian Constitution shall be created to read as follows:

Whensoever legislation becomes officially enacted, any citizen may submit for a national referendum to be held on the legislation. To do so, he must:

(a) create a new thread (entitled with the name of the legislation in question) containing the Act as signed by the President and stating the wish that a national referendum be held on the Act;

(b) receive the signitures of 20% of the registered citizens of Atlasia within 7 days of creating the thread.

When these requirements are met and verified by the Secretary of Forum Affairs, the Secretary shall organise a special referendum on the legislation on the next weekend falling not less than 4 days from the date on which he verified that the above requirements were met.

The question put to he people shall be a simple approval or disapproval of the legislation. A simple majority of the people voting against the legislation shall render it null and void.

Popular Initiative Amendment

Article I, Section 3, Clause 5 of the Atlasian Constitution shall be created to read as follows:

Any ordinary citizen of Atlasia may propose legislation for consideration by the Senate. To do so, he must:

(a) create a new thread (entitled with the name of his proposed legislation) containing his proposal;

(b) receive the signitures of 15% of the registered citizens of Atlasia within 28 days of creating the thread.

When these requirements are met and verified by the Secretary of Forum Affairs, the proposal shall be added to the list of legislation to be considered by the Senate. The citizen who creates the thread for the legislation shall be thence considered the sponsor of the legislation.

Judicial Term Limits Amendment

Article III, Section 1, Clause 6 of the Atlasian Constitution shall be created to read as follows:

Supreme Court Justices shall serve terms not exceeding 12 months. At the end of that time, the seat shall be considered open to re-nomination. The President shall be free to re-nominate the same citizen to serve on the Court in the same capacity. The sitting Justice shall continue to serve until such time as the Senate confirms the President’s nominee.

2nd Immigration Reform Bill of 2007

1. The Illegal Immigrant Act (F.L. 18-8) is hereby repealed.

2. Illegal aliens who have been convicted of a state or federal offense and sentenced to a term of imprisonment less than 12 months in duration within the last 5 years of their application shall be denied citizenship in all instances, even if their application is presently pending under the auspices of F.L. 18-8.

3. Illegal aliens who have been convicted of a state or federal offense and sentenced to a term of imprisonment less than 12 months in duration not within the last 5 years of their application whose application is presently pending under the auspices of F.L. 18-8 shall be allowed to become citizens, if meeting the separate requirements of all other relevant legislation.

4. Illegal or legal aliens who have become citizens because of changes in the law effectuated by F.L. 18-8 shall not have their citizenship revoked.

Steroid Prevention and Detection Act

Purpose:
To create a national policy against the use of steroids

Section 1 - Government Employees:
1.) All government employees are subject to up to two (2) random steroid testings per year
2.) The supervisor of an government employee can order this random drug test at any time, granted it does not exceed two (2) times per year

Section 2 - Private Employees:
1.) Any private employer in Atlasia may randomly drug test their employees up to two (2) times per year
2.) An exception will occur if the employer informs the employee when taking the job that another policy is in place
3.) An exception will occur if the union the employee is affiliated with has approved the drug testing policy

Section 3 - Testing Positive:
1.) If a first test comes up positive, the employee may ask for a 3rd party independent second test
2.) If the second test comes up postitive, the employer may unconditional relieve the employee of their duties
3.) Employers are not required to pay employees after this dismissal, even if a contract was agreed upon

Section 4 - Distributing Steroids:
1.) Anyone found to be distributing steroids to minors will face a jail sentence with a minimum of five (5) years and a maximum of fifteen (15) years.

F**k Ralph Nader Act

1. Any existing regulations on junk food and fast food advertising are repealed and further regulations are banned.
2. All federal laws restricting gambling are repealed.
3. Any restrictions on product placement advertising are banned.
4. All current restrictions on alcohol advertising on TV are repealed.
5. Any "decency" regulations on TV and radio are repealed and further ones are banned.
6. All public schools receiving federal funds must allow soft drinks to be sold and drank within them.

Another piece of practical legislation from Sam Spade:

The "Texasindy" Amendment

Clause 5 of Article V, Section 2 of the Constitution of the Republic of Atlasia is hereby repealed.

---

Considering that people can no longer delete their accounts (see texasindy), this clause is somewhat useless.

I still maintain (as I have for quite a while yet) that most of Article 5 should be encompassed within statute, not within Constitutional guidelines, though I really doubt there is support for this at present.

Proportional Representation Bill
1. Hereinafter Class B Senators shall be elected using the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (hereinafter ‘PR-STV’).

2. For the purposes of these elections the whole of Atlasia shall be treated as a single electoral constituency.

3. Sections 1, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13 and 14 of F.L. 14-2 Consolidated Electoral Reform Act shall also apply to PR-STV elections.

Rules on the counting of votes in PR-STV elections
4. After the close of polls, the ‘total valid poll’ shall be calculated, this being the total number of valid votes cast in the election.

5. The ‘quota’ (i.e. the number of votes required to be deemed elected) shall then be calculated as the whole number (disregarding any attached fraction) resulting from the following equation:
[Total Valid Poll/(Number of seats to be filled + 1)] + 1

6. A first count shall then be made quantifying the total number of first preferences each valid candidate did receive. Any candidates receiving more than the quota shall be deemed elected.

7. Where candidates are tied they shall be ranked by the total number of second preferences received and so on. Where this method proves indecisive and the tie must be broken to materially progress the count, a condorcet count between the tied candidates shall be decisive.

7. (a) Where candidates are tied at any stage in the count, they shall be graded according to their status on the preceding count and so on. Where candidates are tied at each such stage, they shall be graded according to their total number of second preferences.
(b) Where still tied, by a similar analysis of their third preferences and so on.
(c) Where this method proves indecisive and the tie must be broken to materially progress the count, a condorcet count between the tied candidates shall be decisive.

8. The order of priority for distribution of votes shall be as follows:
(a) candidate’s surpluses which may materially affect the progress of the count. (Where more than one such surpluses exist they shall be distributed in the order in which the candidate was deemed elected.);
(b) distribution of the votes of the candidate placed last in the last preceding count.

9. Where there exists such surpluses as that in total they could materially affect the progress of the count, but no individual surplus meets this requirement, the surpluses shall be distributed in order of magnitute even though no individual surplus may materially affect the progress of the count. The distribution of such surpluses shall continue until such time as the totality of the remaining surpluses shall not be capable of materially affecting the progress of the count.

10. A distribution shall be deemed to materially affect the progress of a count, when it is of such quantity as it would be sufficient to bring about the election of another candidate or would be sufficient to raise the lowest placed remaining candidate above the next lowest remaining candidate.

11. Where no candidate receives a number of votes equal or greater to the quota, the lowest polling candidate shall be eliminated and his votes distributed in according with his next preference for a remaining candidate. This process shall continue until such time as a count results in the election of a candidate or candidates.

12. Where an elimination is to be made, a double elimination may be made where the distribution of the lowest remaining candidate’s votes alone would not materially affect the progress of the count. Similarly, a triple elimination may be made where the distribution of the two lowest remaining candidate’s votes alone would not materially affect the progress of the count, and so on.

13. Where a surplus is to be distributed, the entirety of the votes of the elected candidate shall be transferred to the candidates still capable of election at a reduced value called the ‘transfer value’. This value is calculated by the following formula:
Number of candidate’s surplus votes/Candidate’s total votes

14. Where a candidate has a surplus to be distributed, any such votes contributing to his election which were gained at a reduced transfer value as described above in a previous count, such votes shall transfer at a re-reduced value which shall be equal to their standing transfer value multiplied by the new transfer value to be applied o all of the votes to be distributed.

15. Where an eliminated candidate’s votes are to be distributed, the votes shall not be reduced in value any further than they may have been during the process to that point.

16. Counting shall continue until such time as the number of candidates deemed elected equals the number of available seats or until such time as no further distributions which can materially affect the count exist, in which case the candidates not reaching the quota shall be deemed elected in the order in which they rank until such time as all of the available seats are filled.

17. At the discretion of the SoFA, transfer values and vote totals (where appropriate) may be rounded off to three decimal places for simplification or presentational purposes.

Vacancies
18. Where a single Class B Senate seat vacancy exists, the election to the seat shall be conducted on a nationwide basis and in accordance with F.L. 14-2 Consolidated Electoral Reform Act.

19. Where multiple vacancies of Class B Senate seats exist and by law the election to fill the vacancies fall is to occur on the same weekend, the election shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures outlined above.

Repeal of Census Legislation
20. Section 1 of F.L. 4-4 The Miscellany Act, mandating the conduct of censii, is hereby repealed.

Commencement Order
21. This Act shall not take effect until directed by an Executive Order of the President of Atlasia directing same.

---

End to Districts Amendment
That the following changes shall be made to the Atlasian Constitution.
1. Article I, Section 1, Clause 1 of the Atlasian Constitution shall be amended to read as follows:
The Senate shall be composed of ten Senators, each with a term of four months.

2. Article I, Section 1, Clause 2 of the Atlasian Constitution shall be amended to read as follows:
No Person shall be a Senator who has not attained a hundred or more posts and, in the case of Regional Senators, is not a registered voter in the Region that they represent.

3. Article I, Section 4, Clause 1 of the Atlasian Constitution shall be amended to read as follows:
The Senate shall be divided into two classes: Class A, which shall comprise the Senators elected from the Regions, and Class B.

4. Article IV, Section 4 of the Atlasian Constitution shall be repealed.

Change of Registration Bill

1. Citizens who seek to register a change of state with the Department of Forum Affairs, but are restricted in the timing of such registration by Article V, Section 2, Clause 7 of the Constitution, shall be deemed to have made a valid change of state registration from the moment the constitutional time requirement passes.

2. Citizens may revoke such registrations at any point up until this time by making a declaration with the Department of Forum Affairs requesting said registration be ignored or discounted.

3. No particular series of words shall be required to effect clause 2 of this Act, simply that a reasonable determination of intent can be read by the Secretary of Forum Affairs to have the registration ignored or discounted.

Consolidated Electoral System Reform Act (Amendment) Bill

1. Section 6 of F.L. 14-2, the Consolidated Electoral System Reform Act, shall be amended by the addition of clause 5 as follows:
In the case of run-off elections, an absentee booth shall be opened as soon as possible after the declaration by the Department of Forum Affairs that a run-off election is to be held.

2. Section 13 of F.L. 14-2, the Consolidated Electoral System Reform Act, shall be amended by the addition of clause 3 as follows:
Clause 1 shall not apply in the case of elections resulting in a run-off, in which cases, lawsuits challenging the validity of certified election results shall only be valid if filed with the Supreme Court before the official opening time of the official voting booth (not including any associated absentee voting booth) for the associated run-off election.

Constitutional Amendment to Remove States

1.) The Senate of Atlasia reserves the power to remove States who have entered the union after December 31, 2003.
2.) The Senate of Atlasia also reserves the power to combine States following a simple majority vote of the citizens of that state

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WITHDRAWN

Followed by:

Repeal of Puerto Rico Statehood Act

Section 1:
1.) F.L. 7-6 "Puerto Rican Statehood Act" is repealed
2.) F.L. 12-4 "Puerto Rican Statehood Act" is repealed

Section 2:
1.) Upon passage of this bill, Puerto Rico will return to its previous status as a commonwealth
2.) Citizens of Puerto Rico will no longer be able to vote in Atlasian elections

The Eastern Standard Time Bill

Eastern Standard Time throughout the Republic of Atlasia shall be defined as whatever real world time is being observed in Washington D.C.

(All are separate Constitutional Amendments.)

Article II, Section 1, Clause 6 (State of the Forum Address requirement) of the Constitution of Atlasia is hereby repealed.

Article V, Section 1, Clause 2 (Office Holders Avatar requirement) of the Constitution of Atlasia is hereby repealed. (DWTL already introduced this.)

Article V, Section 1, Clause 8 (Political Party definition) of the Constitution of Atlasia is hereby repealed.

Could someone introduce this for me?

Atlasian-United States Relations Exploration Act

1. Upon the passage of this bill, the United States Relations Commission shall be created with the following guidelines:
     a. The said commission shall be composed of the following:
            i. One member of the executive branch, as chosen by the President, with the possibility of the President himself,
           ii. Two members of the Senate, as chosen by the Senate at large, to be determined by a first past the post system of voting in the Senate with the top two recipients of votes being elected to serve on the commission,
          iii. One member of the Supreme Court, with the members of the Supreme Court choosing its representive in the same manner as the Senate,
          iv. One governor, as chosen by the governors as a whole by a first past the post system identical to the one used to elect the representatives from the Senate, and
         v. Two other citizens of Atlasia chosen the President, with no requirements on holding or not holding office for any of these citizens.
     b. The said commission shall elect a President and a Vice President to guide debate.
     c. In addition to the inclusion of a President and Vice President, the commission shall create its own rules and procedures and debate, including entertaining statements by citizens of Atlasia who are not members of the Commission and asking other citizens to appear for question and answer sessions.
     d. The primary goal of the said commission shall be to provide a comprehensive policy to the Senate on the possible recognition of the United States, with the topics including the following, but no limited to:
         i. Recognition of the United States,
         ii. Divergence from actual history,
         iii. The budget of Atlasia with regard to the United States,
         iv. The role of the Game Moderator, and
         v. The population, power, and status of Atlasia if it were to recognize the United States
     e. The Commission shall create a final report on its findings on the said issues to present to the Senate.
     f. The report of the commission shall not become law, but shall be used by the Senate for future consideration on this issue.

I'm a bit long winded, so if someone wants to clean up the bill a bit, that would be great.

TrueDem, looks like you put a lot of effort into it, so even if I wind up not supporting it, I will sponsor it:

Atlasian-United States Relations Exploration Act

Upon the passage of this bill, the United States Relations Commission shall be created with the following guidelines:
     a. The said commission shall be composed of the following:
            i. One member of the executive branch, as chosen by the President, with the possibility of the President himself,
           ii. Two members of the Senate, as chosen by the Senate at large, to be determined by a first past the post system of voting in the Senate with the top two recipients of votes being elected to serve on the commission,
          iii. One member of the Supreme Court, with the members of the Supreme Court choosing its representive in the same manner as the Senate,
          iv. One governor, as chosen by the governors as a whole by a first past the post system identical to the one used to elect the representatives from the Senate, and
         v. Two other citizens of Atlasia chosen the President, with no requirements on holding or not holding office for any of these citizens.
     b. The said commission shall elect a President and a Vice President to guide debate.
     c. In addition to the inclusion of a President and Vice President, the commission shall create its own rules and procedures and debate, including entertaining statements by citizens of Atlasia who are not members of the Commission and asking other citizens to appear for question and answer sessions.
     d. The primary goal of the said commission shall be to provide a comprehensive policy to the Senate on the possible recognition of the United States, with the topics including the following, but no limited to:
         i. Recognition of the United States,
         ii. Divergence from actual history,
         iii. The budget of Atlasia with regard to the United States,
         iv. The role of the Game Moderator, and
         v. The population, power, and status of Atlasia if it were to recognize the United States
     e. The Commission shall create a final report on its findings on the said issues to present to the Senate.
     f. The report of the commission shall not become law, but shall be used by the Senate for future consideration on this issue.

End of the Budget Amendment

1.) Aritcle I, Section 8 of the Constitution is hereby repealed

Bills that I want moved to the back:

Further Reforming Alcohol Act

Findings:
1.) The current age for legally consuming alcohol in Atlasia is 18

Actions:
1.) Their shall no longer be an age limit for purchasing or cosuming fermented alcoholic beverages
2.) The age for purchasing distilled beverages is hereby lowered to 16, and the age for comsumption shall be lowered to 14.
3.) Selling a distilled alcohol beverage to a person under 16 shall result in the following:
     a.) First Offense - $1,000 fine
     b.) Second Offense - $5,000 fine
     c.) Third Offense - 30 days in prison

Applicability:
1.) This law will apply in DC and other federal territories

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Adult Stem Cell Reserach Enhancement

Findings:
1.) The Atlasian government is currently investing $50 million in embryonic stem cell reserach

Actions:
1.) The Atlasian government will invest $50 million in scientific grants to reserach on adult stem cell research


The rest I expect to either not be done with before I get back, and I will try to access the net at times during my vacation. 

I presume this means the earlier bills are withdrawn.  If you could, please modify the original posts on this fact so that I won't accidentally bring them forward.  Thanks.

Also, I want to be co-sponsor of you Withdrawal Amendment to the OSPR, if you are so inclined.  Thanks.

I deleted them and yes you can co-sponsor (and anyone for that matter) anyone of my bills

I'll co-sponsor.

Amendment to Allow the Senate to Set a Minimum Wage

The Senate shall have power to set a minimum wage, as it deems necessary. It shall be variable in that one shall be set for the Republic of Atlasia (the Five Regions) and others shall be set for the Insular Territories, at an appropriate level deemed by the Senate. The Regions shall also have power to set a minimum wage, within their jurisdictions, but this shall only have effect where this wage is greater than that which has been set by the Senate.

Acceptance of Science Bill

Section 1: Human Sexuality
No funds from the federal government shall go towards any sex education curriculum that promotes any of the following beliefs as based on scientific evidence:
1.) the trait of homosexuality or bisexuality is an entirely conscious choice and/or is strange or unnatural.
2.) the participation in homosexual sex acts is an unnatural act observed only in humans.
3.) the proper use of contraceptive devices including but not limited to condoms is grossly ineffective in preventing pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections.
4.) engaging in sexual activity before marriage with proper precautions is dangerous.
5.) males and females should limit themselves to careers which have historically been associated with masculine and feminine roles, respectively.
6.) the surgical or medical termination of a nonviable pregnancy causes, or is in any way linked to, the development of breast cancer.

Section 2: Origins
No funds from the federal government shall go towards any scientific education curriculum that promotes any of the following beliefs as based on scientific evidence:
1.) the status of biological evolution as a scientific theory is somehow different or set apart from that of other scientific theories such as gravity or relativity.
2.) fossil evidence for biological macroevolution is largely inaccurate or misinterpreted by mainstream scientists, or presents a picture that contradicts with biological evolutionary theory.
3.) radioactive carbon dating is always inaccurate or scientifically unreliable.
4.) the age of the earth is less than ten thousand years.
5.) the origins of the universe and of life on earth are scientifically explained by religious texts or creeds.
6.) the complexity of certain types of life on earth are of such a magnitude that they present valid evidence for that of a higher power or "intelligent designer."
7.) creation theories are testable by the scientific method.
8.) the Second Law of Thermodynamics contradicts the Big Bang.

Section 3: Cannabis
No funds from the federal government shall go towards any drug prevention curriculum that promotes any of the following beliefs as based on scientific evidence:
1.) marijuana use fails to alleviate symptoms associated with terminal illness (e.g. cancer).
2.) recreational use of marijuana invariably leads to use of "hard" drugs (the so-called "gateway effect").

Edit: Withdrawn

So, how many more bills until we've successfully fixed the Sex, Drugs and Evolution industry?

I'll co-sponsor this

Morning-After Pill Bill

1. Any regulations requiring a prescription to obtain emergency contraception are hereby repealed.
2. Any restriction on the basis of age on the availabity of emergency contraception is repealed.
3. All hospitals will be required to dispense emergency contraception to fertile, female victims of rape regardless of the religious affiliation of the hospital or medical care provider.
4. Clause 3 shall not be construed as to mean that any rape victim or any other person will be required to use emergency contraception.

Extradition Bill

1. It shall be the policy of the government of Atlasia that no foreign person suspected of a crime will be extradited to a nation where he or she may receive the death penalty for that crime.

Atlasian Flag Burning Amendment

1.) Burning of the flag of Atlasia shall become a prosecutable offense
2.) Individual states may introduce their own penalties which cannot be less than a $500 fine and cannot exceed 10 years in prison

Bill to Raise the Retirement Age

1. F.L. 13-15, Clause 1, which states, "A senior shall be defined as a person aged 60 or older" is amended to read "A senior shall be defined as a person aged 65 or older."
2. Persons under 65 receiving benefits shall not have their status altered.
3. This bill will take effect one month after it becomes law.

EDIT:  I withdraw.

Creation of Federal Holidays Bill

1. January 22 is hereby Women's Rights Day, a federal holiday.
2. February 24 is hereby Mexican Flag Day, a federal holiday.
3. May 17 is hereby LGBT Rights Day, a federal holiday.
4. July 2 is hereby Civil Rights Day, a federal holiday.

EDIT:  I withdraw.

Grammar is such a lost art.

Hybrid Car Tax Break

Section 1:
a.) This bill is aimed to stimulate the purchases of hybrid and alternative fuel source cars and their use
b.) To qualify the car cannot run solely on petroleum gasoline, but may be a hybrid running on petroleum gasoline and another fuel source
c.) To qualify you must also continue to own the car, selling or donating your car will invalidate you to further tax breaks

Section 2:
The following tax breaks will be issued for purchasing a hybrid car:
1st Fiscal Year (referred to as FY) of ownership: 50% of price paid for the car
2nd FY of ownership: a value equal to 25% of price paid for the car
3rd FY of ownership: a value equal to 20% of price paid for the car
4th FY of ownership: a value equal to 15% of price paid for the car
5th FY of ownership: a value equal to 10% of price paid for the car
6+ FY of ownership: a value equal to 8% of price paid for the car

Section 3:
This law shall apply to federal income taxes only

Section 4:
This bill shall expire in 2025.

Environmental Policy Bill of 2007

Section 1: Energy Standards
1. CAFE standards will be raised in the following ways.
     a. Cars: Raise to 37 mpg by 2009, 47 mpg by 2011, 57 mpg by 2014
     b. Light Trucks: 27 mpg by 2009, 37 mpg by 2011, 45 mpg by 2014
     c. SUV: A standard of 25 mpg is instituted effective 2009, 38 mpg by 2011, 50 mpg by 2014
2. All companies must have 30% of all their cars being sold in the US by 2010 be hybrids; 45% by 2014; 55% by 2017, and 75% by 2021.
3. 15% of all fuel used for cars used must be ethanol by 2015, 40% by 2018, and 65% by 2020.
4. 15% of cars must be flex-fuel cars by 2015, 40% by 2018, and 65% by 2020.

Section 2: Snowmobiles in Public Parks
1. It shall hereby be illegal to use a snowmobile in any publicly protected national area.
2. Any person using a snowmobile in a publicly protected national area will be fined a minimum of $1,000 or a maximum of $5,000 per violation.

Section 3: Water Purity Standards
1. No person shall supply for drinking any water that he knows does not meet the primary drinking water regulations (http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/index.html#primary) set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
2. Any person who violates clause 1 of this act shall be imprisoned for not more than 3 years, or fined not more than $10,000, or both.

Section 4: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Policy
Subsection 1: Light Bulbs
1. The production and/or sale of incandescant light bulbs will be illegal effective January 1, 2010.
2. Persons wishing to switch from incandescant light bulbs to more energy-effecient light bulbs will be reimbursed in whole for all related expenses effective immediately upon the passage of this act into law until January 1, 2012.
Subsection 2: Electric Water Heating Systems
1. Effective January 1, 2010, the sale or production of electric water heating systems in all newly constructed homes, or those in the process of initial construction, will be illegal.
2. An exception will be made for:
a.) Components of solar water heating systems which rely on electricity.
b.) Multiple-storey apartment buildings.
3. The federal government will reimburse in full the costs of all citizens switching to a different water heating system until January 1, 2012.

Section 5: Double Glazed Windows
1. Effective January 1, 2010, all newly constructed homes, or those in the process of initial construction, must have double glazed windows in all instances where the window is facing an outside area.

Section 6: Sustainable Development in Forestry
1. For every tree cut down by any company, co-operative, or individual working in the forestry industry, that company, co-operative, or individual must plant two or more trees in the same forest or other woodland environment.

[[PREVIOUSLY THE Energy Policy Reform Bill]]

Education Reform Bill of 2007

Section 1: Selective Education
1. No federal money shall go towards any K-12 private school tuition (including, but not limited to, those financed by any Regional school voucher programs).
2. This section shall become effective three months after this act becomes law.

Section 2: Public School Funds
1. Noting the poor quality of many public schools in certain areas of the Southeast Region, an additional $750 million shall go towards improving the maintenance of K-12 school buildings, textbook purchases, classroom supplies, teacher salaries, and before-and-after school extra-cirricular programs in public schools within the Southeast Region.
2. All other Regions shall receive an extra $500 million each to fund the items mentioned in Section 1.

Section 3: Low-Income Education Encouragement Pay Program
1. The federal government will institute a Low-Income Education Encouragement Pay Program.
2. Teachers whose classroom at any public K-12 school contains a large proportion (40% or more) of students from low-income households (combined annual income of less than $40,000) will be given a 35% pay increase.

Section 4: Acceptance of Science
Subsection 1: Human Sexuality
No funds from the federal government shall go towards any sex education curriculum that promotes any of the following beliefs as based on scientific evidence:
1.) the trait of homosexuality or bisexuality is an entirely conscious choice and/or is strange or unnatural.
2.) the participation in homosexual sex acts is an unnatural act observed only in humans.
3.) the proper use of contraceptive devices including but not limited to condoms is grossly ineffective in preventing pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections.
4.) engaging in sexual activity before marriage with proper precautions is dangerous.
5.) males and females should limit themselves to careers which have historically been associated with masculine and feminine roles, respectively.
6.) the surgical or medical termination of a nonviable pregnancy causes, or is in any way linked to, the development of breast cancer.
Subsection 2: Origins
No funds from the federal government shall go towards any scientific education curriculum that promotes any of the following beliefs as based on scientific evidence:
1.) the status of biological evolution as a scientific theory is somehow different or set apart from that of other scientific theories such as gravity or relativity.
2.) fossil evidence for biological macroevolution is largely inaccurate or misinterpreted by mainstream scientists, or presents a picture that contradicts with biological evolutionary theory.
3.) radioactive carbon dating is always inaccurate or scientifically unreliable.
4.) the age of the earth is less than ten thousand years.
5.) the origins of the universe and of life on earth are scientifically explained by religious texts or creeds.
6.) the complexity of certain types of life on earth are of such a magnitude that they present valid evidence for that of a higher power or "intelligent designer."
7.) creation theories are testable by the scientific method.
8.) the Second Law of Thermodynamics contradicts the Big Bang.
Subsection 3: Cannabis
No funds from the federal government shall go towards any drug prevention curriculum that promotes any of the following beliefs as based on scientific evidence:
1.) marijuana use fails to alleviate symptoms associated with terminal illness (e.g. cancer).
2.) recreational use of marijuana invariably leads to use of "hard" drugs (the so-called "gateway effect").

Section 5: School Nutrition
1. No public school may be allowed to supply 'soft' drinks to students at a lower price than milk and juice products.
2. No public school may place vending machines with snack products in the same building as where Physical Education programs take place.
3. No food served and/or sold in a public school may contain non-naturally occurring trans fats.
4. Breakfast and lunch meals will be provided free of charge to any student from a low-income household (as defined by Section 3, Clause 2).

Section 6: College Tuition Taxes
1. Tuitions for colleges and universities will be taxed in the following ways, on the basis of the candidate's family's annual income.  The tuition's tax will rise proportional to the income, and shall be taxed at the following rates, with each rate corresponding to the tax rate on only the portion of the income that falls in the appointed range.
a.) $0-$50,000: 0%
b.) $50,001-$75,000: 0.5%
c.) $75,001-$125,000: 1%
d.) $125,001-$200,000: 2.5%
e.) $200,001-$500,000: 5%
f.) $500,001 or more: 7.5%
g.) Families where there are more than two children whose income falls into the ranges of c.) through f.) will be eligible for a decrease in the rate by 0.5%.
2. All taxes on textbooks and school materials for students are abolished.

Section 7: Status of Immigrants
1. No child attending, or preparing to attend, a K-12 public school shall be discriminated against on the basis of their citizenship status, lack of documentation, place of birth, first language, nor shall they be discriminated against on the basis of the citizenship status, documentation status, place of birth, first language, or criminal status of their parent(s).

Section 8: Homeschooling
1. The Attorney General will be required to prepare a report on the status of homeschooling standards within Atlasia, along with any recommendations he or she may feel necessary to improve the status of homeschooling, no later than December 31, 2007.

[[PREVIOUSLY THE Tax Reduction for College Tuitions Bill]]

Edit: I withdraw

Reform of the Alcohol Reform Act Bill

1. Section 4 of F.L. 14-10 is repealed and replaced with the following text:

"Persons under the age of 18 and over the age of 5 shall be allowed to consume alcohol under the supervision of a parent or guardian".

Automatic Teller Machine Fees Bill

1. Any bank operating within the District of Columbia or any federal territories shall be prohibited from fining persons using automatic teller machines ('ATMs') for using a machine not associated or approved for use by the user's bank.

Snowmobiles in Public Parks Bill

1. It shall hereby be illegal to use a snowmobile in any publicly protected national area.
2. Any person using a snowmobile in a publicly protected national area will be fined a minimum of $1,000 or a maximum of $5,000 per violation.

EDIT: I withdraw.

Middle East Aid Bill

1. Aid to both the State of Israel and the Palestinian Authority is to be increased by 33% in both cases.

Northern Ireland Aid Bill

1. Atlasia is to give 1 billion dollars of aid to Northern Ireland each year from this one onwards in order to aid economic development.

2. If the Devolved Institutions collapse again, this aid is to be withdrawn.

Repeal of the Repeal of the Education and Care for Children in Poverty Act

1. F.L. 6-20 (the Repeal of the Education and Care for Children in Poverty Act) is hereby repealed.

"I don't like us being hated" Bill

1. F.L. 10-4 is hereby repealed

Miners Widows Bill

1. The widows of miners or former miners who die as a result of their occupation or former occupation shall be each be given $10,000 a year from the federal government.

Say Sorry Bill

1. F.L. 14-7 is hereby repealed

We Don't Do Coups Bill

1. F.L. 13-19 is hereby repealed

Cymraeg Bill

1. Cymraeg (Welsh) is hereby declared to be the Sole Official Language of Bergen Co., NJ.

2. Take that, boyo!

Al, since they are all just one or two clause things, maybe you should just submit a Miscellany Act.  We haven't had one of those on a while.

Can't do that. I believe there's a Senate resolution stating that all bills have to pertain to a certain topic and cannot include multiple topics.

Minimum Wage Revision Bill

1. All minimum wages throughout every federal territory will be increased by $0.50 effective January 2008, and by another $0.25 effective June 2008.
2. The District of Columbia minimum wage will be increased by $0.50 effective January 2008 (or a wage of $7.70).  It shall remain annually indexed to the Consumer Pricing Index.


{Stop posting in this thread if you aren't posting legislation, please.}

Public Interest Amendment

Section 1

The Senate shall have power, save where limited by other provisions of this Constitution:

1. To protect the Public Health and commerce by making such regulations as shall be necessary for the protection of those in employment.
2. To protect the Public Health, commerce and heritage by making such regulations as shall be necessary for the protection and preservation of natural beauty, biological diversity and other natural resources.

Section 2

All Legislation and Judicial Rulings not inconsistent with this Amendment passed prior to the Adoption of this Amendment shall remain in full force, unless superceded by subsequent legislation or Judicial Rulings.

---

Equal Rights Bill of 2007

Section 1: Removal of Discrimination in Blood Donation
1. The federal ban on any male who has engaged in sexual intercourse with another male donating blood is hereby removed.
2. No person shall be barred from donating blood on the basis of their sexual orientation.

Section 2: Equal Rights on the Basis of Sexual Orientation
1. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, Civil Rights Act of 1968, and the Civil Rights Act of 1991 shall be amended to include sexual orientation among the list of qualities that discrimination is illegal for.
2. All of the following forms of discrimination, on the basis of sexual orientation, will be illegal:
a. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in hotels, motels, restaurants, theaters, and all other public accommodations engaged in interstate commerce;
b. Refusal to sell or rent a dwelling to any person;
c. Discrimination against a person in the terms, conditions or privilege of the sale or rental of a dwelling;
d. Advertising the sale or rental of a dwelling indicating preference of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation;
e. Coercing, threatening, intimidating, or interfering with a person's enjoyment or exercise of housing rights based on discriminatory reasons or retaliating against a person or organization that aids or encourages the exercise or enjoyment of fair housing rights.
3. It shall be illegal for any Regional, State, or Local government to deny access to public facilities to any person on the basis of sexual orientation.
4. "Sexual orientation" shall not be construed as to include sexual offenders and/or predators of children.

Section 3: Racial Profiling
1. No branch of law enforcement shall be permitted to use the practice of racial profiling in attempting to catch or determine suspects.
2. "Racial profiling" is defined as the use of selecting someone for targeting solely on the basis of their skin color, race, language, or nationality being perceived as more likely to commit a crime than someone of a different skin color, race, language, or nationality.

Section 4: Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Law
Subsection 1: Discrimination in Compensation Because of Race, Color, Religion, Sex, National Origin, or Sexual Orientation
1. Section 706(e) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e-5(e)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(3)(A) For purposes of this section, an unlawful employment practice occurs, with respect to discrimination in compensation in violation of this title, when a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice is adopted, when an individual becomes subject to a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice, or when an individual is affected by application of a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice, including each time wages, benefits, or other compensation is paid, resulting in whole or in part from such a decision or other practice.
(B) In addition to any relief authorized by section 1977a of the Revised Statutes (42 U.S.C. 1981a), liability may accrue and an aggrieved person may obtain relief as provided in subsection (g)(1), including recovery of back pay for up to two years preceding the filing of the charge, where the unlawful employment practices that have occurred during the charge filing period are similar or related to unlawful employment practices with regard to discrimination in compensation that occurred outside the time for filing a charge."
Subsection 2: Discrimination in Compensation Because of Age
1. Section 7(d) of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (29 U.S.C. 626(d)) is amended--
a.) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively;
b.) by striking `(d)' and inserting `(d)(1)';
c.) in the third sentence, by striking `Upon' and inserting the following: "(2) Upon";
d.) by adding at the end the following:
"(3) For purposes of this section, an unlawful practice occurs, with respect to discrimination in compensation in violation of this Act, when a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice is adopted, when a person becomes subject to a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice, or when a person is affected by application of a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice, including each time wages, benefits, or other compensation is paid, resulting in whole or in part from such a decision or other practice."
Subsection 3: Application to Other Laws
1. Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990: The amendment made by section 3 shall apply to claims of discrimination in compensation brought under title I and section 503 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12111 et seq., 12203), pursuant to section 107(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 12117(a)), which adopts the powers, remedies, and procedures set forth in section 706 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e-5).
2. Rehabilitation Act of 1973: The amendments made by section 3 shall apply to claims of discrimination in compensation brought under sections 501 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 791, 794), pursuant a.) sections 501(g) and 504(d) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 791(g), 794(d)), respectively, which adopt the standards applied under title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 for determining whether a violation has occurred in a complaint alleging employment discrimination; and
b.) paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 505(a) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 794a(a)) (as amended by subsection (c)).
3. Conforming Amendments:
a.) REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973- Section 505(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794a(a)) is amended--
         (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting after `(42 U.S.C. 2000e-5 (f) through (k))' the following: `(and the application of section 706(e)(3) (42 U.S.C. 2000e-5(e)(3)) to claims of discrimination in compensation)'; and
         (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting after `1964' the following: `(42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.) (and in subsections (e)(3) of section 706 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 2000e-5), applied to claims of discrimination in compensation)'.
b.) CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964- Section 717 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e-16) is amended by adding at the end the following: "(f) Section 706(e)(3) shall apply to complaints of discrimination in compensation under this section."
c.) AGE DISCRIMINATION ACT OF 1967- Section 15(f) of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (29 U.S.C. 633a(f)) is amended by striking "of section" and inserting "of sections 7(d)(3) and."
Subsection 4: Miscellany
1. With regard to any charges of discrimination under any law, nothing in this Act is intended to preclude or limit an aggrieved person's right to introduce evidence of unlawful employment practices that have occurred outside the time for filing a charge of discrimination.
2. This Act is not intended to change current law treatment of when pension distributions are considered paid.

Section 5: Atlasians Without a Religious Preference
1. All laws, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Civil Rights Act of 1968, and the Civil Rights Act of 1991, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of religion shall be henceforth interpreted to also prohibit discrimination on the basis of a lack of any religion or religious views.

edit: withdrawn

Increase in Senate Affairs Amendment

1. Article 3, Section 2, Clause 2 of the Official Senate Procedural Resolution is hereby amended to read as follows: “2. There shall be nine slots available for debating legislation on the Senate floor. Of these slots, four shall be available for any purpose; two shall be available for any purpose except the debating of Amendments to the Constitution; two shall be available only for legislation that the PPT considers to be related to forum affairs or emergency legislation which can be introduced pursuant to Article 7, Section 1 of this resolution; and one shall be available for debating veto overrides pursuant to Article 5, Section 3.”
2. This amendment to the OSPR will automatically repeal two months after passage.

* Bolded figures currently read seven, three, and one respectively.  I put this on automatic repeal because I suspect the Senate will not always be as busy with legislation as it at the moment.  If passed, we could theoretically discuss much of the President's reform proposal faster.

Bill to Establish Atlasian Policy Towards HIV/AIDS

Section 1: Findings
1. The scientific consensus notes that AIDS is caused by HIV.
2. The scientific consensus notes that condoms are an effective method of preventing HIV transmission among sexually active people.
3. The scientific consensus notes that needle exchange programs are an effective method of preventing HIV transmission among intravenous drug users.
4. Areas in which comprehensive sex education is used in favor of "abstinence-only" education have lower rates of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, as well as lower rates of unwanted pregnancies.
5. The World Health Organization estimates that 25 million people have died from AIDS since 1981, and approximately 38.6 million people are living with the disease worldwide.

Section 2: Needle Exchange
1. All federal laws prohibiting needle exchange programs are repealed.
2. The sale of hypodermic needles is legalized.  Any restrictions requiring a prescription before the purchase may be completed are repealed.
3. Noting that needle exchange programs are effective in decreasing the rate of HIV and Hepatitis C, the federal government pledges $60 million to fund needle exchange programs effective Fiscal Year 2008.

Section 3: Condom Distribution
1. Noting that condom use offers effective protection against sexually transmitted infections including HIV, the federal government pledges $60 million to fund condom distribution programs effective Fiscal Year 2008.
2. These programs will entail the free availability of condoms at every high school, college, university, and health clinic within Atlasia.  No student or clinic patron will be required to take or use the condoms made available.
3. Individual entities eligible for the condom distribution program may opt-out.

Section 4: Comprehensive Sex Education
1. The federal government will establish a comprehensive sex education cirriculum, to be recommended to the Regions for replacing existing so-called "abstinence-only" programs.
2. Sex education programs in publicly funded schools will be required to teach students the risks of engaging in unprotected sexual activity in conjunction with the proper use of protection methods, and information on how to obtain contraceptive services.
3. Sex education programs in publicly funded schools will be prohibited from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation in teaching methods.

Section 5: Removal of the Global Gag Rule
1. F.L. 7-2 is repealed.
2. Funds for the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) shall be restored to their FY 2001 level effective FY 2008, and increased to $30 million effective FY 2009.

In response to Al's ridiculous bill,a slightly more serious yet not too serious one:

Abolishment of Unions Bill

1. The formation of a workers union for the purpose of collective bargaining or any other workplace improvement is prohibited

This is in conflict with a certain provision of the Constitution (I forget which and don't feel like looking) and would need to be made into an Amendment in order to not be frivolous.

Article VI, Section 10:

Persons in employment shall have the right to organize for the purpose of collective bargaining, with such exceptions as the Senate may provide for by Law on the grounds of vital national interest.

School Vouchers Bill

1. No federal money shall go towards any regional school voucher system.
2. This act shall take effect three months after it becomes law.

EDIT: I withdraw.

Open Borders Bill

1. F.L. 14-3, Return to Normalcy Act, is repealed.
2. F.L. 18-8, Illegal Immigrant Act, Section 2, Clause 1 is amended to read: "Any illegal alien who has not been convicted of terrorism charges (military tribunal convictions notwithstanding), nor has been convicted of an offence and sentenced to a term of imprisonment greater than 5 years in duration, may apply for citizenship one month after the passage of this act."
3. F.L. 19-1, Immigration Reform Act of 2007, Sections 14, 15, and 17 are repealed.
4. No person shall be denied access to social programs, including public education, on the basis of citizenship status.

Presidential Term Limits Constitutional Amendment

That Article II, Section 3, Clause 3 of the Constitution shall be removed and subsequent clauses shall be renumbered accordingly.

Fairness to the Children Act

1. F.L. 13-14 is hereby repealed

EDITED to show correct legislation

After watching last night's AFL-CIO debate, I have reaffirmed my support to eliminating this clause of the Constitution and would support such legislation, even though it will go nowhere.

So, DWTL, either change the language of this within 24 hours or I'm striking it as frivolous/unconstitutional.

Cruel and Inhumane Treatment Bill

1. The government of Atlasia officially condemns the practice of torture and affirms the principles of the Geneva Conventions as well as its commitment to its prohibition of cruel, degrading, inhumane, and/or humiliating treatment of suspects or prisoners.
2. No evidence obtained from the use of torture will be admissable as valid in a court of law.
3. All branches over which the Atlasian government has jurisdiction, including the military, are required to accord to non-citizens all of the relevant rights of citizens (namely, the right to a fair trial and the right to be free of cruel, degrading, inhumane and/or humiliating treatment).
4. The government of Atlasia will refuse to return any person to their home country if there is any chance that they will be tortured.

---

Racial Profiling Bill

1. No branch of law enforcement shall be permitted to use the practice of racial profiling in attempting to catch or determine suspects.
2. "Racial profiling" is defined as the use of selecting someone for targeting solely on the basis of their skin color, race, language, or nationality being perceived as more likely to commit a crime than someone of a different skin color, race, language, or nationality.

EDIT: Racial Profiling Bill is withdrawn.

Ratification of the Convention of the Rights of the Child Bill

1. Atlasia hereby ratifies the Convention of the Rights of the Child, as agreed to by the United Nations General Assembly on November 20, 1989, and signed by U.S. Secretary of State Madeline Albright on February 16, 1995.

Water Purity Bill
1. No person shall supply for drinking any water that he knows does not meet the primary drinking water regulations (http://www.epa.gov/safewater/contaminants/index.html#primary) set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
2. Any person who violates clause 1 of this act shall be imprisoned for not more than 3 years, or fined not more than $10,000, or both.

EDIT: I withdraw.

I introduce the following bill on behalf o Mr. Ernest, I am unwilling to state whether I am for or against it at this time:

OPSR Courtesy Resolution

1. Article 3 Section 2 Clause 1 of the OPSR is amended by inserting before the period, ", subject to such limitations on available debate slots contained in this section".

2. Article 3 Section 2 of the OPSR is amended by adding the following as Clause 7:
"7. Notwithstanding Clause 1 of this Section, unless no other bills are available for debate, a Senator may not be the sponsor of more than two pieces of legislation that are on the floor at any one time."

The bill is deemed in direct conflict with Article I, Section VI, Clause 10 and is thus removed from the Senate floor as unconstitutional.

Challenges to this ruling may be made per the rules in Article 3, Section 1, Clause 4 of the Senate Rules.

I also ask that Al's bill establishing an official language for Bergen County, NJ to be struck as either frivolous or unconstitutional, take your pick.

Affirmative Action Reform Bill of 2007

1. F.L. 8-14 is repealed.

It would seem that in the time that I was away I missed the chance to hurl one of my favourite insults at a certain dolt here.

Oh well...

()


Rhaid cymryd y gwrthwynebiadau o ddifri.

(Ond... Cymru am byth!)

Wow, you are more obnoxious and moronoic than I originally thought

Gwael ymateb.

Twpsyn.

DWDL's a former Polish communist dictator? You learn new things everyday.

This bill is struck on the grounds of being frivolous (and unconstitutional).  If you wish to challenge, Al, the procedure for doing so is posted above.

I have already stated (in this thread as well) that the objections to the bill must be taken seriously, so obviously I won't challenge the PPT's decision.

Atlasian Unemployment Bill

1. The Atlasian Government pledges to keep a goal of less than 5% of the head of households unemployed.
2. The Atlasian Government, to combat the problem of unemployment, will create Public Works projects.  A Public Works Commission will be formed to create jobs for the unemployed.
3. The Atlasian Government will provide tax incentives to small business owners who employ ten people or more in times of employment crisis.
4. The commission will have the power to set a flexible wage for the public works projects which is to be no lower than $7.85 an hour.
5. Jobs created under this Act shall be available only to a head of household or to one spouse in a married couple, as defined under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

---

Amendments to the Reproductive Rights Act Bill

1. F.L. 18-1, Section 2, is amended to read as follows: "It shall be against the law to induce the termination of a pregnancy 24 weeks or later after the implantation of the embryo into the woman's womb, unless continuing the pregnancy presents a threat to the life or health of the woman, and/or the life of the fetus."
2. F.L. 18-1, Section 3, is amended to read as follows: "Doctors convicted to be in violation of clause 2 will be liable of up to a $5,000 fine."
3. No organization receiving federal funding for family planning services domestically or abroad shall be prohibited from mentioning the full range of reproductive options, including abortion, to their clientele on pain of federal support.

2nd Immigration Reform Bill of 2007

1. The Illegal Immigrant Act (F.L. 18-8) is hereby repealed.

2. Illegal aliens who have been convicted of a state or federal offense and sentenced to a term of imprisonment less than 12 months in duration within the last 3 years of their application shall be denied citizenship in all instances, even if their application is presently pending under the auspices of F.L. 18-8.  This shall not apply to persons imprisoned for actions which have since become decriminalized.

3. Illegal aliens who have been convicted of a state or federal offense and sentenced to a term of imprisonment less than 12 months in duration not within the last 3 years of their application whose application is presently pending under the auspices of F.L. 18-8 shall be allowed to become citizens, if meeting the separate requirements of all other relevant legislation.

4. Illegal or legal aliens who have become citizens because of changes in the law effectuated by F.L. 18-8 shall not have their citizenship revoked.

Jury Reform Bill

1. All juries empanelled for the purposes of trying crimes in the Republic of Atlasia shall be composed of five jurors, who shall all be registered voters in the Region of the Republic of Atlasia in which the defendant is resident and without previous convictions.

2. Jury selection shall be random and shall be administered by the presiding Justice, he may however discard jurors from his selection on grounds of inactivity.

3. If the Justice shall decide a juror has become either prejudicious or inactive, he may replace the juror. The Justice may do this twice during a trial, but if he considers it necessary for a third time, he shall order a mistrial and begin a new trial.

4. In order for a jury to convict at least three jurors must deliver a guilty verdict, however the Justice may raise this to four jurors at his own discretion. Jurors shall make their verdict known by public post.

5. To be empanelled on to a jury, the juror shall repeat the following oath: "I swear (or affirm) that I will well and truly try the matter in issue between the parties, and give a true verdict according to the law and evidence, so help me Dave."

Decriminalization of LSD Bill

Section 1: Applicability
1. This law shall remove all federal restrictions on LSD in addition to legalization in Nyman and other federal territories which do not form a region.
2. The Regions of Atlasia shall be free to legalize and regulate LSD in any manner which they may choose.

Section 2: In Regards to the Legal Status of LSD
1. The possession and consumption of LSD (also known as lysergic acid diethylamide, LSD-25, or "acid"), a non-addictive semisynthetic psychedelic drug, shall be lawful for anyone who is 18 years or older.
2. This law shall not be interpreted as to decriminalize driving under the influence of LSD.

Section 3: Taxation
1. Taxes on LSD will be 30%.  Individual regions may set their own taxes on LSD as they see fit in addition to the federal tax which shall not exceed 20%.
2. Federal revenue raised from taxes on LSD and marijuana will be split evenly among the following two funds:
a.) 50% to a federally funded needle exchange program
         1.) The needles shall be available at areas designated by the region in which they are contained
         2.) Distribution centers shall be no farther than one hundred (100) miles apart
b.) 50% to public transportation and roadways to split among
         -25% Interstate highway repair
         -25% Bridge and infrastructure repair
3. Regional revenue generated from sales of LSD shall be used however the region deems necessary by a vote of the people upon voting for legalization

I would like to object to the reintroduction of three defeated bills in slightly different form as being frivolous.

Considering the objection and recommendation of the president concerning my bill in his veto was to fix up the taxation section, resubmitting this bill that passed is far from frivolous.  As for Ebowed I do not know why he did that.

It was still defeated. If it wasn't defeated you wouldn't be re-introducing it.

Can't you at least wait until the next Senate? Not that you'll be in it, but I'm sure that whoever defeats you will be happy to introduce bills written by their constituents.

Actually, the number is four.  :P

I doubt I will be trying to remove these bills, b/c I am likely to be overruled by 1/3 of the Senate in these four matters - but I will think about it.  Otherwise, there's no other possible justification.

My bill was passed, please read more carefully.  The president and others recommended I clean up the tax section and reintroduce it, that is exactly what I did.

I can read quite well, thank you. But I think that you need to understand what "passed" in the context of "legislation" means.
Not that it's something especially likely to bother you for much longer.

Light Bulbs Bill

1. The production and/or sale of incandescant light bulbs will be illegal effective January 1, 2010.
2. Persons wishing to switch from incandescant light bulbs to more energy-effecient light bulbs will be reimbursed in whole for all related expenses effective immediately upon the passage of this act into law until January 1, 2012.

EDIT: I Withdraw

I'll introduce this on behalf of Ernest.

Sports and Other Event Memorabilia Tax Reform Bill

§1. Findings
On August 7, 2007 Barry Bonds set the Major League Baseball record for home runs.  Matt Murphy, the person in stands who caught the ball has indicated that for tax reasons he will be selling the ball rather than keeping it.  It is the sense of the Senate that a person who obtains a item of memorabilia from a sporting event or other event should not be forced to sell that item because of income assessed for tax purposes based on the speculative value of that item.

§2. Definitions
For the purposes of this Act:
   (1) "date of acquisition" is the date at which the event which produced an item of event memorabilia obtained by an attendee began, and
   (2) "item of event memorabilia" means an item obtained by an attendee to an event as a result of that event which obtains extra value as a result of its association with that event or a portion of that event.

§3. Taxable Income
Effective beginning tax year 2007, only the value of an item of event memorabilia exclusive of any added value due to its association with the event that made it an item of event memorabilia shall be considered as taxable income for the tax year of the date of acquisition.  The preceding sentence shall not be deemed to exclude taxing any capital gain from the sale of that item by the attendee, if such sale takes place in the same tax year.

§4. Capital Gains
An item of event memorabilia shall for purposes of determining capital gains realized at its sale shall be deemed to have a cost basis equal to the taxable income assessed under section 3 at the date of acquisition.

Universal Health Care Bill of 2007

1. The federal government hereby establishes a single-payer universal health care program for use in the District of Columbia and all federal territories.
2. This program will be open towards any resident or citizen of the District of Columbia or any Atlasian federal territories regardless of previous health conditions, disability, citizenship status, criminal record, or economic status.  No person will be required to pay for access to health care.
3. All medical services, including preventative treatment and dental care, will be covered under this system.
4. All subsidies towards health maintenence organizations ('HMOs') are abolished.

Demilitarization and Security of Sports Bill

§1. Findings
   (a) Training for international sporting events at a competitive level requires a degree of specialization and training that is generally incompatible with the expectations of service in today's military, except in events directly related to military skills.
   (b) The ability of the Atlasian Olympic Committee to raise funds is sufficient as to not require a subsidy in the form of enlistment of athletes as members of the military services primarily to enable them to compete in athletic competitions.
   (c) Provision of military assistance to law enforcement agencies with security arrangements to sporting events should be conditioned solely on the security needs determined by the Attorney General and not by the type of sporting event.

CHAPTER 1 - DEMILITARIZATION OF SPORTS

§11. Participation
   The Secretary of External Affairs is directed to spend no funds under section 717 of title 10 for the participation of members of the armed forces in the Winter Olympic Games after 2010, the Pan-American Games after 2011, and the Summer Olympic Games in 2012 or any other international sports competition concluding more than five years after the date of the passage of this Act.  The Secretary of External Affairs is directed to spend no funds under said section for the participation of members of the armed forces in preparatory competitions, unless such competition is preparatory to an international sports competiton for which funds may be spent under the preceding sentence.

§12. Repeal
   As of the later of five years after the date of the passage of this chapter or the date of the closing ceremonies of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, section 717 of title 10, subsection (b)(3)(B) of section 1033 of title 10, subsection (d) of section 406c of title 37, and section 420 of title 37 are repealed.

§13. Construction
   This chapter shall not be construed as preventing the Secretary of External Affairs from granting leave under applicable law to members of the armed forces for the purpose of enabling them to compete in international sporting events or preparatory competitions thereto.

CHAPTER 2 - SECURITY OF SPORTS

§21. Provision of support for certain sporting events
   (a) Subsection (a) of section 2564 of title 10 is amended to strike ", the Goodwill Games".
   (b) Subsection (c) of section 2564 of title 10 is repealed and subsections (d) through (f) of said section are redesignated subsections (c) through (e) respectively.

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Gender Neutral Militia Act

   Section 311(a) of Title 10, Armed Forces, is amended by -
      (1) replacing the word "males" with the word "individuals", and
      (2) striking the words "and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard".

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And finally a bill that owes its existence largely because I couldn't resist the idea of a having a literal omnibus bill.

Military Omnibus Procurement Act

§1. Findings
   (a) It is reasonable and proper that to ensure the ability of Atlasia to provide a common defense for the people of Atlasia that certain defense-related items be subject to restrictions on procurement to ensure that Atlasia is able to produce them for its own needs regardless of any interruption in foreign commerce that may happen in the future.
   (b) Applying restrictions on such procurements to non-military articles that apply only to the armed forces dilutes the respect and gravitas that the principle of self-reliance in defense matters embodied by subsection (a) should command.

§2. Repeal
   Subsection (a)(1) of section 2534, title 10, Armed Forces, requiring that multipassenger motor vehicles (omnibuses) acquired for the armed forces be made only by Atlasian firms, is repealed as of the end of the current fiscal year.

§3. Construction
   This Act shall not be construed as repealing or modifying any other "Buy Atlasian" provision of law that applies to such acquisitions.

I thank Governor FezzyFestoon for giving me the opportunity to start my term immediately, albeit in a different Senate Seat.  (Should it be an issue, I intend to pick up sponsorship of my own bill again following my resignation from the Northeast Senate Seat and re-swearing in to my District 2 Senate Seat.)

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Carbon Tax Residential Relief Act

§1. Findings
   (a) The Carbon Tax Act shall cost the average Atlasian family an extra $36 in tax year 2008 on electricity bills, climbing to $360 annually by tax year 2017;
   (b) The Carbon Tax Act shall cost the average heating-oil-consuming Atlasian family an extra $37 in tax year 2008 on heating bills, climbing to $370 annually by tax year 2017;
   (c) The Carbon Tax, while a strong, powerful mechanism for lowering Atlasian carbon dioxide emissions, is a regressive tax that could potentially cripple lower-income taxpayers while having virtually no effect on the richest of taxpayers;
   (d) The Carbon Tax is an incentive only to those with the means to change their fuel consumption habits.  Those whose incomes place them in the lower-to-middle income tax brackets have little ability to switch to a more fuel efficient manner of home heating, install solar panels, purchase better insulating windows, and pursue similar fuel-saving ideas;
   (e) Similarly, it is a finding that those least able to pay for electricity bills and home heating fuel are also the least likely to waste fossil fuels out of an inability to afford such waste.

CHAPTER 1 - ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION RESIDENTIAL CREDIT

§11. Industry Requirements
   Beginning in the year 2008, and continuing indefinitely (or until repeal of the Carbon Tax Act), electricity providers operating within Atlasia shall send each customer currently purchasing electricity under a residential rate tier at their primary residence an end-of-year statement showing the total amount of carbon tax paid by said consumer for the year prior.

§12. Eligibility for the Carbon Tax Electricity Credit
   For the tax year 2008, all single-filing Atlasian taxpayers whose taxable income is $60,000 or less and all joint-filing tax payers whose taxable income is $120,000 or less shall be eligible for a "Carbon Tax Electricity Credit."  For the tax year 2009 and beyond, these income requirements shall be indexed to the CPI and adjusted annually for the life of the Carbon Tax Residential Relief Act.

§13. Value of the Carbon Tax Electricity Credit
   For the tax year 2008, residential consumers found eligible in paragraph (§12) shall be able to claim an income tax credit in the amount of their yearly electricity-based Carbon Tax payments, up to $35.  This amount shall increase by $35 annually to a total of $350 by tax year 2017, at which time the credit shall make no further annual adjustments.  This credit shall expire upon the repeal of either the Carbon Tax Act or the Carbon Tax Residential Relief Act.

CHAPTER 2 - HEATING FUEL CONSUMPTION RESIDENTIAL CREDIT

§21. Industry Requirements
   Beginning in the year 2008, and continuing indefinitely (or until repeal of the Carbon Tax Act), natural gas and diesel home heating oil providers operating within Atlasia shall send each residential customer currently purchasing natural gas or diesel home heating oil at their site of primary residence an end-of-year statement showing the total amount of carbon tax paid by said consumer for the year prior.

§22. Eligibility for the Carbon Tax Heating Fuel Credit
   For the tax year 2008, all single-filing Atlasian taxpayers whose taxable income is $60,000 or less and all joint-filing tax payers whose taxable income is $120,000 or less shall be eligible for a "Carbon Tax Heating Fuel Credit."  For the tax year 2009 and beyond, these income requirements shall be indexed to the CPI and adjusted annually for the life of the Carbon Tax Residential Relief Act.

§23. Value of the Carbon Tax Electricity Credit
   For the tax year 2008, residential consumers found eligible in paragraph (§22) shall be able to claim an income tax credit in the amount of their yearly heating-fuel-based Carbon Tax payments, up to $35.  This amount shall increase by $35 annually to a total of $350 by tax year 2017, at which time the credit shall make no further annual adjustments.  This credit shall expire upon the repeal of either the Carbon Tax Act or the Carbon Tax Residential Relief Act.

CHAPTER 3 - SPECIAL LIMITATIONS

§31. Diesel Fuel Limitation
   The Carbon Tax exemptions shall apply only to diesel fuel used for the purposes of home heating, and shall not apply to diesel fuel purchased for any other use, including, but not limited to, on-road use.

Small Business Relief Act of 2007
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarbanes-Oxley_Act) (Pub. L. No. 107-204, 116 Stat. 745) is repealed.

Right to be Reproduced Act
Reproductive Rights Act (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Reproductive_Rights_Act) (F.L. 18-1) is repealed.

Unproven Research Funding Elimination Act
Embryonic Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Embryonic_Stem_Cell_Research_Enhancement_Act) (F.L. 18-7)

Illegal is Still Illegal Act
Illegal Immigrant Act (https://uselectionatlas.org/AFEWIKI/index.php/Illegal_Immigrant_Act) (F.L. 18-8) is replealed.

Irrelevant in Atlasia But Needs To Be Eliminated Act
Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipartisan_Campaign_Reform_Act) (McCain–Feingold Act, Pub.L. 107-155, 116 Stat. 81) is repealed.

Would the "Illegal is Still Illegal Act" also revoke the citizenship of anyone who has applied for citizenship in the time since going so became legal on May 19? Because the Senate has no rights to revoke citizenship.

That is the reason why I proposed my legislation (I think it's on the previous page), which dealt with that problem (even though I haven't read the Constitution to know for sure).  It was, of course, defeated.

I don't think so, as that would be a violation of ex post facto law.

Then I question what, in fact, the Illegal is Still Illegal Act is meant to do -- punish those who were not sufficiently rapid in submitting paperwork or those who the federal government dallied in issuing citizenship to?

National Defense Reprioritization Act

F.L. 3-5, the Missile Defense Initiative Act, is hereby repealed.

In the case Sen. Ebowed's Universal Healthcare Bill does not pass, I offer this.

[If and when Ebowed's Universal Healthcare Bill passes, please consider this legislation withdrawn.]

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Health Care Access Expansion Act of 2007
§1. Findings
  (a) Fifty percent of Atlasian businesses that are considered "small businesses" do not offer health care plans to their employees.
  (b) Small business owners have virtually no leverage for negotiation and limited access to affordable health care plan offerings, limiting the number of Atlasians who are currently insured through their main workplace.
  (c) By pooling these small business health insurance policies, it is expected that the Atlasian Government can negotiate lower rates not only for these small business owners, but for the insurance policies Atlasia currently offers to governmental employees.

CHAPTER 1 - EXPANSION OF THE FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFIT PROGRAM
§11. New Name.
     The Federal Employees Health Benefit Program will hence be renamed to the Federal Employees/SBA Health Benefit Program.  (Herein refered to as "the Program.")
§12. Bulk Coverage Negotiation.
     The Program is directed to immediately begin negotiations with private insurers who currently offer coverage to governmental employees.  These negotiations shall be based on the expectation of enrolling one million new Atlasians under the Program.
§13. Competitive Bidding.
     The provisions in §12 shall not be construed as a requirement for the Atlasian Government to renew contracts with existing insurers, or to restrict access to government contracts for health care companies not currently offering plans through the Program.
§14. Expansion of Coverage.
     Any Atlasian business defined as a "small business" by the Small Business Administration (SBA) shall be eligible to seek coverage for their employees through the Program, beginning at the start of FY 2008.  No minimum or maximum employer contribution shall be required to do so.
§15. Employee Choice.
     Employees of "small businesses" participating in the Program shall have the option to purchase any health care plan currently available to Atlasian governmental employees in their state.

CHAPTER 2 - EXPIRATION
§21. Circuit Breaker—Fiscal Savings Requirement.
     This bill will only take effect if the rates negotiated under §12 for fiscal year 2008 are at least 0.5% lower than current rates for each individual health care plan option offered to the Atlasian Government's employees in FY 2007.
§22. Expiration upon Universal Healthcare Passage.
     This bill will be considered repealed any time the Atlasian Government is found to pass a law offering a "universal health care" plan in which a supermajority (two-thirds plus one) of Atlasian citizens are to be enrolled.

edit: withdrawn

Cocaine Punishment Harmonization Bill

Section 1: Findings
1. Current law punishes violations relating to "crack" cocaine much more harshly than "normal" (i.e. powder) cocaine.
2. This discrepancy has a noticeable and intended racially discriminatory result.

Section 2: Harmonization
1. All punishments relating to the production, sale, consumption, or possession of 'crack' cocaine shall be reduced to the same punishments eligible for the production, sale, consumption, or possession of cocaine.
2. Any person convicted of violating laws against 'crack' will be given an automatic reduction or removal of sentence and compensation for unfair time spent incarcerated where appropriate.

Press Complaints Commission Bill

Section 1 - In order to safeguard the integrity of our free press and the freedom of the individual, there shall be established a Press Complaints Commission empowered with the authority to investigate charges brought to it on the basis of the following grievances: slander without due basis, fabrication of a story or editorial involving a named individual, insults against a named person, statements regarding an individual deemed to be considered by said individual as a statement of untruth.

Section 2a - The Press Complaints Commission shall consist of two individuals appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate except where identified as exempt by Section 2b.

Section 2b - No member of the Press Complaints Commission shall be an owner, proprietor or editor of any national media outlet.

Section 3 - The Commission shall have the authority to adjudicate on any matter brought before it by aggrieved persons. All parties involved shall be granted the right of representation during the period of adjudication.

Section4 - The Commission shall have the authority to impose a fine of between $100 and $100,000 if it finds in favour of the complaint brought before it by the aggrieved.

-----------------

May require modification.

Repeal of the Educational Funding Clarification Bill

1.  F.L. 21-3 is hereby repealed.

2.  All funds ($1.9 billion) designated to be given to the respective Regions are hereby to be returned to the Department of Education.

3.  All currently existing taxes on college tuitions are abolished.

Tobacco Reform Bill

Edit: withdrawn.

End to Districts Amendment

That the following changes shall be made to the Atlasian Constitution:

1. Article I, Section 1, Clause 1 of the Atlasian Constitution shall be amended to read as follows:
The Senate shall be composed of ten Senators, each with a term of four months.

2. Article I, Section 1, Clause 2 of the Atlasian Constitution shall be amended to read as follows:
No Person shall be a Senator who has not attained a hundred or more posts and, in the case of Regional Senators, is not a registered voter in the Region that they represent.

3. Article I, Section 4, Clause 1 of the Atlasian Constitution shall be amended to read as follows:
The Senate shall be divided into two classes: Class A, which shall comprise the Senators elected from the Regions, and Class B, which shall comprise Senators elected by a form of proportional representation.

4. Article IV, Section 4 of the Atlasian Constitution shall be repealed.

Abstentions on Amendments Amendment

That Article VII, Section I of the Constitution of Atlasia be amended to read:

"The Senate, whenever two-thirds of its number shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of this Constitution when ratified by a majority of the People voting in public polls, not including abstentions or declarations of presence, in three-quarters of the Regions. Such votes shall last for exactly one week and shall be administered by the Governor of the Region or other officer as the Law of the Region may provide. Citizens will cast their vote by public post."

I am withdrawing the following bills:

Northern Ireland Aid Bill
Middle East Aid Bill
Say Sorry Bill
We Don't Do Coups Bill

Have a look at the sheer size of the pile-of-bills-that-hath-not-yet-made-it-to-the-floor and thee shall see why.

It would be nice if others would do the same sort of thing.

I would not object to other people introducing the above bills (or nicking bits of them or something) in later Senates, btw.

Edit: "pile-of-bills" not "pile-of-biles". Ho, ho.

I've withdrawn the Increase in Senate Affairs Amendment.

I'll try to trim the rest of my bills as well when I have more time.

Return to Reality Amendment

1. Article I, Section 3, Clause 5 is added to the Constitution, with the following language:

The Senate, in conjunction with the President of Atlasia and his Executive Officers, shall provide a detailed accounting of federal expenditures and revenues for the benefit of the Atlasian citizenry at least once every calendar year.  The Senate shall have the power to define the detail and scope of this accounting by appropriate legislation.

2. Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution is repealed.

Native American Genocide Resolution

The federal government fully recognizes the United States government role in the systematic extermination of the Native American people, acknowledges that what occurred consisted of both genocide and mass forced relocation, and wholeheartedly apologizes and takes responsibility for the wrongdoings it has committed.

Repeal of the Further Reforming Alcohol Act

F.L. 21-4 is hereby repealed.

Income Tax Reduction (2007) Bill

The 10% tax levied on all income for the first $7500 earned above any designated threshold is reduced to 0%

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It's kept deliberately simple in order for any later amendments.

Repeal of the Military Enlargement Act

The Military Enlargement Act is hereby repealed.

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Text of the Act


The number of applicants accepted in United States Army Ranger program shall increase by 40% staggered over the next four years.

It is not in the business of Atlasia to legislate on behalf of foreign nations :)

The "I don't like us being hated" Bill and the Miners Widow Bill have been officially withdrawn.

Sam Spade

Can't I or someone else just pick up sponsorship?

When I wrote the rule, I specifically wrote it so that legislation which is on the queue moves to the off the list if it hasn't been introduced before resignation.  I have a number of reasons behind this rationale, most assuredly one of these reasons is to entice Senators not to quit before their term is concluded, although it may create some inequitable circumstances such as now.

However, if you wish to reintroduce the legislation, Porce, you may do so, but the legislation will simply start off at the bottom of the queue.

As requested by some of my constituents in the Northeast:

Metric Conversion Act

1. The government of Atlasia shall convert to a dual usage of metric and imperial units in all relevant affairs, effective three months after passage.
2. The use of imperial units shall thereafter be phased out of use by the government of Atlasia as seen fit by its constituent parts but on a plan ending no later than January 1, 2015.
3. The government of Atlasia shall invest in the establishment of a metric system education program to inform citizens and residents of Atlasia on the workings of the metric system.

Equality of Representation Amendment
That Article IV, Section 4, Clause 3 of the Constitution be amended to read:

"The difference between the number of those registered voters who voted in the last scheduled federal election in any two Districts shall be no more than one."

Withdrawn due to the passage of the End to Districts Amendment, which nullifies this amendment.

Judicial Clarification Amendment
That the Constitution of Atlasia be amended to state:

1. All state trial courts existing at the time of the passage of this Amendment are the trial level courts of of the region in Atlasia they are physically located unless qualified in some other section of this amendment.

2. All state appellate level courts, including state Supreme Courts, existing at the time of the passage of this Amendment shall be appellate level courts in the region unless qualified in some other section of this amendment, and the highest regional level judicial officer or court of that Atlasian region shall be the highest judicial authority in that region.

3. All federal trial courts and appellate existing at the time of the passage of this Amendment are now the trial and appellate level courts, respectively, of Atlasia they are physically located unless qualified in some other section of this amendment.  The Atlasian Supreme Court shall be the highest authority and court of final appeal of Atlasia.

4. Qualifications, provisions of this amendment shall apply unless a named party in the action at bar is a member of Atlasia.

End of the Budget Amendment

Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution is hereby repealed.


End to Districts Amendment

That the following changes shall be made to the Atlasian Constitution:

1. Article I, Section 1, Clause 1 of the Atlasian Constitution shall be amended to read as follows:
The Senate shall be composed of ten Senators, each with a term of four months.

2. Article I, Section 1, Clause 2 of the Atlasian Constitution shall be amended to read as follows:
No Person shall be a Senator who has not attained a hundred or more posts and, in the case of Regional Senators, is not a registered voter in the Region that they represent.

3. Article I, Section 4, Clause 1 of the Atlasian Constitution shall be amended to read as follows:
The Senate shall be divided into two classes: Class A, which shall comprise the Senators elected from the Regions, and Class B, which shall comprise Senators elected by a form of proportional representation.

4. Article IV, Section 4 of the Atlasian Constitution shall be repealed.

Campaigning for Invalidation of Votes Bill

Section 1: Definition of Crime
1. It shall be a crime against the Republic of Atlasia for any citizen who may be called upon to make a determination as to the validity of a ballot cast in a federal election, including but not limited to the voting booth administrator, to instruct or encourage a voter who has already cast his or her ballot to take an action that would have the effect of invalidating the ballot.
2. For the purposes of this statute, federal election shall extend to (but is not limitied to) any election for President, Vice-President or Senator, any federal impeachment vote, and any public vote sanctioned by Law which requires that an officer of the federal government administer it.
3. The instruction or encouragement of a voter shall be interpreted to include any action which indicates the possibility of invalidating a vote to affect a federal election.

Section 2: Trial and Punishment
1. Trial of this crime shall be in accordance with the Consolidated Criminal Justice Act.
2. Sentencing of the crime shall be by the Presiding Justice; He may use any combination of the following as punishment, depending upon the severity of the offense:
         (i) Up to a four month ban from voting in any elections.
         (ii) Up to a two month ban from holding any office under the Republic of Atlasia.
Credit to Peter for coming up with it.

Atlasia-Peru Free Trade Act
1. No tariffs, customs, or restrictions on the movement of goods, except those that have been outlawed by the destination or interim nation, shall exist between the Republic of Atlasia and Peru.
2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this act.

Edit: Withdrawn

Creation of a National Public Radio Bill

1. The President, when applicants are available, shall appoint a Head of the National Public Radio Station.
2. The position is responsible for recording events that happen in Atlasia without bias or opinion.

Re-enforcement of Diplomacy Act

Section 1: Upgrading the Department of External Affairs

1. The government shall double the current money given to the Dept. of External Affairs.

2. This money may only be used to build and maintain embassies in amicable nations, hire diplomats, and run language classes for government officials.

Section 2: Upgrading Public Understanding

1. Foreign Language shall now be considered a major class in High School, equal in importance to Math, Social Studies, Science, and English. All requirements for the latter four shall now be applied to Foreign Language.

2. Students may choose the language of their choice form those able to be offered by the school.

Second November-December Act
7 December, 2007 is hereby renamed 31 November, 2007.

Alignment with Empiricism Bill

Section 1: Abstinence
No funds from the federal government shall go towards any sexual education curriculum that promotes any of the following beliefs as true or scientifically legitimate:
1.) the process of terminating a pregnancy is sinful according to any religious beliefs.
2.) the trait of homosexuality or bisexuality is an entirely conscious choice and/or is strange, unnatural, or sinful.
3.) the participation in homosexual sex acts is sinful, wrong, or unnatural.
4.) the proper use of contraceptive devices including but not limited to condoms is grossly ineffective in preventing pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections.
5.) engaging in sexual activity before marriage with proper precautions is immoral or sinful.
6.) males and females should limit themselves to careers which have historically been associated with masculine and feminine roles, respectively.

Section 2: Biology
No funds from the federal government shall go towards any scientific education curriculum that promotes any of the following beliefs as true or scientifically legitimate:
1.) the status of biological evolution as a scientific theory is somehow different or set apart from that of other scientific theories such as gravity or relativity.
2.) fossil evidence for biological macroevolution is largely inaccurate or misinterpreted by mainstream scientists, or presents a picture that contradicts with biological evolutionary theory.
3.) radioactive carbon dating is always inaccurate or scientifically unreliable.
4.) the age of the earth is less than ten thousand years.
5.) the origins of the universe and of life on earth are scientifically explained by religious texts or creeds.
6.) the complexity of certain types of life on earth are of such a magnitude that they present valid evidence for that of a higher power or "intelligent designer."
7.) the trait of homosexual behavior does not exist within the animal kingdom outside of humans.
8.) creation theories are valid within the scientific method.
9.) the Second Law of Thermodynamics disproves the Big Bang.

I hereby withdraw the Second November-December Act

I also withdraw the Alignment with Empiricism Bill, since it was apparantly passed without me knowing it earlier this year.

To clarify, the Atlasia-Peru Free Trade Act has been withdrawn, though I did cross it out and withdraw it above.

National Energy Act amendment

Section one of F.L. 3-3 shall be amended to read: The responsibility for the approval of oil refinery construction shall be taken away from the Department of Treasury and given to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Section two shall be amended to read: The environmental regulations shall be made more strict to allow for more difficult approval of refineries.

Section four shall be amended to read: Sport Utility Vehicles shall not longer be classified as sedans for purposes of CAFE 2 standards. They shall be classified as a light truck.

Section six shall be amended to read: The Federal Gasoline Tax shall be increased from 12 cents per gallon to 18 cents per gallon.

I withdraw the Tobacco Reform Bill & the Cocaine Punishment Harmonization Bill.

Electroshock Weapons Restrictions Bill
1. In all areas of federal jurisdiction, the use of electroshock weapons (including, but not limited to, tasers) by law enforcement is hereby prohibited.

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Comprehensive Drug Reform Bill of 2007

Section 1: Findings
1. Current Atlasian policy has led to the incarceration of millions of nonviolent drug users, as well as the devastation of several South American economies and environments, and an overall increase in violent crime associated with drug dealing and untreated addiction.
2. Current Atlasian policy treats drug addiction first and foremost as a criminal problem rather than a medical one.
3. Current Atlasian policy is inherently contradictory in that one of the most intoxicating and addictive substances known to man, alcohol, is legal while possession of softer drugs remains a criminal activity.
4. Current Atlasian policy places harsh sentencing and punishment ahead of harm minimization, effective drug education, and addiction treatment.

Section 2: Decriminalized Substances
1. All federal laws, as well as District of Columbia and federal territory laws, prohibiting the private possession, consumption, or profitless distribution of the following substances are repealed: 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA), mescaline, Peyote, psilocin, psilocybin, d-lysergic acid amide (LSA), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), salvia divinorum, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), ephedrine, opium, cocaine (including freebase cocaine), gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), ibogaine, heroin, 5-methoxy-n,n-diisopropyltryptamine (5-MeO-DIPT), 2C-T-7, 2C-B, cathinone (khat), alpha-methyltryptamine (AMT), 5-OH-DMT, amphetamines, dextroamphetamine, methamphetamine, oxycodone, morphine, phencyclidine (PCP), benzylpiperazine, codeine, synthetic cannabinoids, marinol, and ketamine.
2. This section shall not be interpreted to legalize the sale or underage use of the listed substances.
3. All federal laws, including District of Columbia and federal territory laws, prohibiting certain forms of tobacco (including homegrown tobacco, smokeless tobacco, clove cigarettes, or N. rustica), alcohol (including absinthe, and all related ingredients), or associated paraphanelia (including rolling papers, rolling filter tips, matches, and water pipes) are repealed.

Section 3: Safe Injection Sites
1. The federal government will invest $10 million FY 2009 in the construction of a Safe Injection Site in the District of Columbia.
2. No person using illicit drugs inside of a Safe Injection Site may face prosecution of any kind in relation to the possession or consumption of the drug.
3. All persons entering the Safe Injection Site will be provided with clean needle syringes and any medical care necessary free of charge.

Section 4: Good Samaritan Provision
1. In all areas under federal jurisdiction, persons calling for medical help for a person who is suffering immediate health problems due to drug use may not face arrest charges for possession or consumption of illicit substances.

I'm withdrawing the Equality of Representation Amendment (didn't mean to reintroduce it after the End to Districts Amendment passed).

Over-Development Balance Act

Section 1: Findings

We have found that:

1. Developers are building houses at an extremely fast rate.
2. These new houses are creating budget problems for the local school district.

Section 2: Impact Fees

1. For the purpose of this bill, 'development' is defined as a collection of houses recognized as a loosely connected community.
2. To combat school budgeting problems, all developers will pay an impact on all homes in developments.
3. A developer will pay for the estimated school enrollment for 2 years at the local school district for the average amount of children (as calculated by the Census) for every house in the development.
4. The money will be added straight to the schoolboard's budget for the following Fiscal Year.

Alignment with Territory Policy Act

1. The senate recognizes that disorganization in regional bill introduction and the constitution's limits on the senate as blockades to universal improvement of our nation.

2. Any bill the senate passes in a session that:
a) affects only DC and the territories
b) does so because of constitutional limits on it affecting the regions
Will be placed on a regional ballot in every region at the end of the session, to be voted on by the citizens of each region.
3. If passed by any region, it will take immediate effect in that region.

F-22 Catch 22 Act

1. F.L. 4-1: F-22 Act is hereby repealed
2. The remaining money allocated to F.L. 4-1: F-22 Act shall be used soley for the purpose of reducing the national debt.

Abolition of the Penny Act

Section 1: Findings
1. That the penny currently costs the government of Atlasia more money to produce than each penny is worth.
2. That transactions for which single pennies are necessary do not reflect increased precision in pricing.

Section 2: Minting
1. The Atlasian Mint shall no longer produce the Atlasian penny.
2. All materials used to produce pennies shall be redirected to the production of other denominations of currency or else sold as raw material.
3. This section shall take effect immediately upon the passage of this legislation.

Section 3: Exchange
1. The government of Atlasia shall offer to exchange with any and all banks pennies for higher coin denominations.
2. These pennies shall be melted down and either used to produce new coinage or sold as raw material as appropriate.
3. This section shall take effect immediately upon the passage of this legislation.

Section 4: Abolition
1. The penny shall no longer be legal tender within Atlasia.
2. All transactions currently involving denominations less than $0.05 shall be rounded upwards such that they may be completed using denominations of $0.05 and greater.
3. This section shall take effect on January 1, 2010.

Third Amendment to Article III, Section 2, Clause 2 of the OSPR

Article 3 Section 2 Clause 2 of the Official Senate Procedural Resolution is hereby amended to read as follows: “2. There shall be eight slots available for debating legislation on the Senate floor. Of these slots, three shall be available for any purpose; two shall be available for any purpose except the debating of Amendments to the Constitution; one shall be available only for legislation that the PPT considers to be related to forum affairs or emergency legislation which can be introduced pursuant to Article 7, Section 1 of this resolution; one shall be available for any piece of legislation, regardless of its location in the queue, at the PPT's discretion; and one shall be available for debating veto overrides pursuant to Article 5, Section 3.”

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For reference, the current text:

Sane Automobile Policy Act

I. CAFE Standards

1. The penalty for violations of CAFE standards shall be raised to $22 per 0.1 mpg under the standard, multiplied by the manufacturer's total yearly production for the Atlasian domestic market beginning in 2009.

2. CAFE standard for cars shall be 31 mpg in 2010 and shall increase by 1.5 mpg each year until it reaches 46 mpg.

3. CAFE standard for light trucks shall be 24 mpg in 2010 and shall increase by 0.75 mpg each year until it reaches 32 mpg.

4. SUVs shall be classified as cars under CAFE standards. [1]

II. Research

1. Any automaker that excedes the CAFE standards in both the car and light truck category by at least 4 mpg in a year shall receive grant of $1 per vehicle sold in the Atlasian domestic market in that year to fund research and development into fuel efficiency.

2. All additional funds raised by Section I, Clause One above and beyond those in FY 2008 shall be used to fund Section II, Clause One. Any funds remaining shall be used for research into alternative automobile fuels.

III. Action

1. Atlasia shall establish a HOV Only Commission to investigate the feasibility of establishing urban freeways as High Occupancy Vehicles Only roadways. A report shall be delivered by July 1st, 2009.

2. $1 million shall be appropriated to fund Section III, Clause One.
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[1] If Earl's bill passes. I have no idea why he'd want SUVs to go back to being under lower fuel efficiency standards.

School Standards Reform Bill

Section 1: Findings
1.   That no national standard exists regarding required fields of study for students in public schools.
2.   That education in Atlasia no longer meets the high international standards it once did.

Section 2: Terms
For the purposes of this legislation:
1.   “Elementary school” shall refer to any school offering only grades below 5th, inclusive.
2.   “Middle school” shall refer to any school offering only grades below 8th, inclusive, with at least one grade above 6th, inclusive.
3.   “High school” shall refer to any school offering at least one grade above 9th, inclusive.

Section 3: Elementary School Reforms
1.   All public elementary schools shall be required to offer pre-K and Kindergarten classes to all students within the district whose guardians wish them to be enrolled.
2.   All public elementary schools shall be required to be open for at least seven hours each weekday. All grades from 1st grade through 5th grade shall be required to attend school for the full minimum of seven hours. Kindergarten must be offered for at least six hours a day, and pre-K for at least five hours a day.
3.   All children must be enrolled in school, public or otherwise, within one and a half years of their fourth birthdays.

Section 4: Middle School Reforms
1.   All public middle schools shall be required to be open for at least seven and a half hours each weekday. All students from 6th grade through 8th grade shall be required to attend school for the full minimum of seven and a half hours.
2.   All public middle schools must offer at least one foreign language. Enrollment may be optional.
3.   All students in grades 6 through 8 shall be required to study science, English, history, and mathematics for all of their three years in said grades. All public middle schools must offer said subjects for all three grades.

Section 5: High School Reforms
1.   All public high schools shall be required to be open for at least eight hours each weekday. All students from 9th grade through 12th grade shall be required to attend school for the full minimum of eight hours.
2.   All public high school students must complete, between 9th and 12th grade, at least four courses in mathematics, four courses in English, three courses in a single foreign language, three courses in world history, one course in Atlasian/American history, one course in chemistry, one course in physics, one course in biology, and one additional course in any one of the sciences (chemistry, physics or biology).
3.   All public high schools must offer classes on mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, English, American/Atlasian history, world history, and at least two different foreign languages (listed below in 5.3.1) sufficient in number to allow students to complete the above requirements.
   1.   All high schools must offer courses in at least two of the following languages: Spanish,          French, German, Russian, Arabic, Hindi, Chinese and Japanese.

Section 6: Interpretation
This legislation shall not be interpreted as to override any stricter standards upheld by law within any Regions or lower-level authorities, nor to discourage school districts or students from exceeding the minimum requirements.

Section 7: Effective Date
This legislation shall come into effect on August 10, 2009, unless that date is less than a year and a half following passage, in which case it shall come into effect on August 10, 2010.

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This is a big bill. I am not particularly attached to any one part of it, and I welcome suggestions prior to it reaching the floor of the Senate.

Sec 5, Clause 3 should include Italian.  And/or a suggestion that other languages may be offered and counted towards the required total of two.

Italian is neither a significant international language of commerce nor spoken in multiple countries. Euro-centrism in language teaching should be avoided.

^^^

Teaching Chinese, Japanese, and Hindi are very good idea judging by the development of Asia currently.

^^^

I could suggest a number of other widelyt spoken Asian languages, but I've never met anyone who learned Bengali. :P

Constitutional Amendment to Allow Gun Control

1. Article I, Section 5 shall be amended to include a new clause as follows: "To regulate and ban firearms as necessary throughout the Republic of Atlasia."
2. Amendment I shall be amended to read "The right to keep and detonate low-potency explosives shall not be infringed."

Network Neutrality Bill

1. No Internet service provider may charge a discriminating fee, intentionally offer a discriminating speed of access, nor bar access to online material on the basis of its content (excepting illegal pornographic content) to any of its users.

Constitutional Amendment to Prohibit Conscription

1. Article VI shall be amended to include a new clause as follows: "No person may be required to serve in defense of the country against their will."

Constitutional Amendment to Protect Substance Addicts

1. Article VI shall be amended to include a new clause as follows: "No person who suffers a physical or mental addiction to any substance may be charged for the possession or consumption of the substance in question."

Constitutional Amendment to Prohibit Capital Punishment

1. Article VI shall be amended to include a new clause as follows: "No person may receive the death penalty as punishment for any crime."

So what?

So, we're trying to encourage the teaching of languages of international significance. Schools are not barred from teaching Italian, but it doesn't count towards their required offerings.

But not everyone will be an international busy-ness-man. How do kid's who'll grow up to become brickies, mechanics or office workers benefit from failing to learn Chinese at school?

How will they benefit from learning Italian? Foreign language teaching is designed to offer the basics to everyone because we cannot be sure at a high school age who will do what, and it would absurdly presumptuous of us to deny certain students that opportunity simply based on the current situation.

I personally think it's absurd to force a kid who knows he wants to do something that won't ever involve learning a foreign language to take three classes of a foreign language in high school. That's probably the biggest thing wrong with American education.

well, there is a significant presence of Italian phrases in the arts, so someone who is into that may want to know Italian.

Amendment to the Taiwan Relations Act

Section 15(2) of the Taiwan Relations Act (Pub. L. 96-8) is hereby amended to read: "the term "Taiwan" includes, as the context may require, the islands of Taiwan, the Pescadores, and the Kinmen and Matsu islands, the people on those islands, corporations and other entities and associations created or organized under the laws applied on those islands, and the governing authorities on Taiwan recognized by the United States as the Republic of China prior to January 1, 1979, and any successor governing authorities (including political subdivisions, agencies, and instrumentalities thereof)."


A very small change, but one which has been overlooked for decades. This fixes US recognition of the state of Taiwanese control of the Kinmen and Matsu islands, which has been overlooked for decades. It is not in any way provocative to the PRC, but it allows for US diplomatic and economic efforts applied elsewhere in Taiwan to apply there as well.