Popular Initiative Amendment (Passed/Sent to Regions)

[Јas]

This proposal was put forward (together with certain other measures) as a method to encourage campaigning and activity beyond the Senate. I'll grant that Senators will generally introduce legislation on behalf of their constituents - and so this is not an essential piece of reform. But that does not mean that it is a worthless effort at reform. I would hope that this could give citizens a greater sense of involvement in the legislative process.

A proposal going to the Senate with the explicit backing of a significant group of citizens would carry a certain weight and would probably garner more significant interest from the general public on the progress of the legislation than would be the case wherein one simply PMs one's Senator with a proposal.

This Senate can certainly be said to preciously regard it's own powers and I would hope that those most seriously concerned with any dilution of those powers will recognise that they will remain in firm control of the legislative process and their votes retain their very significant value. This is simply a right of initiative, a right to be heard.

I would hope that this proposal would mean that citizens can feel that their voices must be heard, not only at election time, but by the Senate in full session, that their views matter and deserve the attention of our government.

[Јas]

OK, having considered and taken into account the comments of Senators Spade and DWTL, and still wanting to find ways to encourage political campainging and activity in Atlasia generally, I would like to hear opinions on the following possible amendment to the proposal.

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 immediate 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 legislation shall be placed before the Senate for its consideration, though only one piece of legislation proposed in this matter shall be considered by the Senate at any one time. The citizen who creates the thread for the legislation shall be thence considered the sponsor of the legislation.


Essentially, legislation proposed by popular initiative would have the benefit of skipping the considerable queue of proposals in the standard list. This would potentially be a significant encouragement for would be legislators knowing that they would not have to wait 4-8 weeks to see their idea hit the floor. The slot for consideration need not impinge upon the current existing slots and so couldn't be used to stall the Senate in it's natural work.

Anyway it's an idea, if one of you think it's a good idea, please do introduce it as an amendment.

[Јas]

OK, having considered and taken into account the comments of Senators Spade and DWTL, and still wanting to find ways to encourage political campainging and activity in Atlasia generally, I would like to hear opinions on the following possible amendment to the proposal.

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 immediate 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 legislation shall be placed before the Senate for its consideration, though only one piece of legislation proposed in this matter shall be considered by the Senate at any one time. The citizen who creates the thread for the legislation shall be thence considered the sponsor of the legislation.


Essentially, legislation proposed by popular initiative would have the benefit of skipping the considerable queue of proposals in the standard list. This would potentially be a significant encouragement for would be legislators knowing that they would not have to wait 4-8 weeks to see their idea hit the floor. The slot for consideration need not impinge upon the current existing slots and so couldn't be used to stall the Senate in it's natural work.

Anyway it's an idea, if one of you think it's a good idea, please do introduce it as an amendment.

Any thoughts?

[Јas]

I'll introduce it. 

Thanks

[Јas]

Voting is now open on the following 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 immediate 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 signatures 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 legislation shall be placed before the Senate for its consideration, though only one piece of legislation proposed in this matter shall be considered by the Senate at any one time. The citizen who creates the thread for the legislation shall be thence considered the sponsor of the legislation.

Please vote Aye, Nay or Abstain.

[Јas]

With 5 Aye's and 1 declared abstention, the amendment passes.

Result on Ebowed's Amendment
Aye: 5 (Sam; PBrunsel; Brandon; Lewis; Al)
Nay: 1 (Earl)
Abstain [Voted]: 1 (Ebowed)
Abstain [Didn't Vote]: 3 (DWTL; Phil; Rob)

[Јas]

Tally on Final Vote
Aye: 2 (Moderate; Ebowed)
Nay: 1 (Earl)
Yet to Vote: 7 (Al; Brandon; DWTL; Lewis; PBrunsel; Rob; Sam)

7 Aye votes are needed to send this for consideration to the regions.

[Јas]

Updated Tally on Final Vote
Aye: 6 (Moderate; Ebowed; Brandon; Al; Lewis; Rob)
Nay: 2 (Earl; Sam)
Yet to Vote: 2 (DWTL; PBrunsel)

7 Aye votes are needed to send this for consideration to the regions.