Introduction to Atlasia Bill [Passed]

[Sam Spade]

With the Fairness to the Voter Amendment having passed the Senate, I am choosing to use the Forum Affairs/Emergency legislation spot to start debate and possible vote on the 5 major pieces of legislation Jas introduced at the beginning of this Session of the Senate.

If someone wishes to challenge my action, they may do so per Article IV, Section 2, Clause 3 of the OSPR, which reads as follows:

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The legislation is presented below


Introduction to Atlasia Bill

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.

[Sam Spade]

Aye.

[Sam Spade]

BrandonH's 2nd amendment has been adopted as a friendly amendment.

Voting remains open on BrandonH's 1st Amendment. (see above for text)

[Sam Spade]

bumping.  There is only 1 more day to vote on this amendment (barring injunction) and many people who haven't voted.

[Sam Spade]

With 3 votes in favor, 1 vote against, 4 not voting, 1 seat absent and 1 seat vacant, the amendment has passed.

I'm leaving 24 hours open for any more debate or amendments to be posted.  If there is none, I will start a vote on final passage after that time.

[Sam Spade]

With no objections, Lewis's amendment is passed as a friendly amendment.

[Sam Spade]

In other words, King wants an amendment that reads something like this:

All mentions of the words "Secretary of Forum Affairs" or SoFA" in this legislation shall be replaced  by President of Atlasia. (I think that's his title, please correct if wrong)

Ok, I'll propose it.  I'm curious as to what people think anyway.

[Sam Spade]

We are voting on the following amendment:

All mentions of the words "Secretary of Forum Affairs" or SoFA" in this legislation shall be replaced by President of Atlasia.

Please vote Aye, Nay or Abstain.

[Sam Spade]

Aye

[Sam Spade]

With 6 votes in favor, 1 abstention and 3 not voting, the amendment has passed.

[Sam Spade]

We are voting on final passage of this bill:

Introduction to Atlasia Bill

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 President of Atlasia (hereinafter ‘President’) 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. Simply state your preferred state of residence and the party you wish to register with. You may register in anyone of the 50 real life states, D.C., and Puerto Rico. 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. You may only change your state of registration every 60 days but you may change your party at anytime.

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 President shall post short statements from each of the parties. 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 President 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. Parties may at any time give to the President an amended statement for posting.

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

5. Each new President shall create a new Introductory Thread within the terms of this Act. The President 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 President shall be allowed to include in the thread such other information as he considers desirous or useful for newbies to be made aware of.


Please vote Aye, Nay or Abstain.


Aye.

[Sam Spade]

So noted and corrected.

[Sam Spade]

This legislation has garned enough votes to pass.  Senators shall now have 24 hours to change their votes.

[Sam Spade]

With 7 votes in favor, 0 against, 2 not voting and 1 seat absent, this bill has passed.

It is presented to the President for his signature.