SB 117-37: The Termination of COVID-19 Measures Act - REDRAFTED

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

The Termination of COVID-19 Measures Act

Preamble

Recognizing the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic and the necessity to adapt our legislative and executive measures accordingly,

Article 1: Revocation of COVID-19-specific Legislation

Article 1: Revocation of COVID-19-specific Legislation

The following statutes are hereby repealed:
1. HB 23-02: Coronavirus Containment and Emergency Response Act
2. HB 23-12: More Funding to Combat COVID-19 Act
3. HB 24-03: Further Efforts in Pandemic Fighting Act (Passed)
4. HB 23-17: Jobs and Pay During the Coronavirus Pandemic Act (Passed)
5. HB 24-19: Extending Quarantines for New Arrivals Act (Passed)
6. HB 23-05: Emergency Economic Stimulus Act of 2020
7. HB 26-16: The Second Emergency Economic Stimulus Act of 2020 (Passed)
8. HB 29-12: COVID-19 Funeral Relief Assistance Act
9. HB 28-17: COVIDEBT Act (Debating)
10. HB 29-39: Third Emergency Economic Stimulus Act (Passed)
11. SB 105-02: Immunization Act of 2021 (Passed)

Article 2: Annulment of Ongoing COVID-19 Executive Orders

All executive orders related to COVID-19 that mandate continuing actions are hereby rescinded and declared null and void.

Disclaimer: Sunset Provisions

It is acknowledged that some of the aforementioned laws, statutes, regulations, or executive orders related to COVID-19 might have already expired or been rendered null due to built-in sunset provisions or other time-bound constraints. Nonetheless, this act seeks to ensure clarity and certainty regarding their termination status.

Article 3: Repeal of COVID-19 Vaccination Record Cards

The issuance and requirement of COVID-19 Vaccination Record Cards is hereby terminated. Individuals shall no longer be mandated to present or maintain such cards as proof of vaccination status. All entities, public or private, are prohibited from requiring these cards for any purpose

Article 4: Repeal of Pandemic Wealth Tax

I. The "Pandemic Wealth Tax" or any analogous federal tax implemented during or in response to a health crisis or pandemic is hereby repealed in its entirety.

Ia. All financial obligations or liabilities arising from said tax prior to its repeal remain enforceable, unless otherwise stated in subsequent provisions or amendments.
Ib. The federal government shall promptly address and provide guidance on any outstanding administrative or compliance issues stemming from the repeal of this tax.

Sponsor: Laki
Occupying: Slot 18

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Laki, are you aware that most of these bills have already been phased out? You can't "repeal" something that is no longer enforced.

We already explicitly repealed the Mask Mandate Act.

Why are we repealing a resolution recognizing the contributions of frontline workers?

How are you proposing to "repeal" appropriations that were made and spent years ago?

This is addressed by:

Disclaimer: Sunset Provisions

It is acknowledged that some of the aforementioned laws, statutes, regulations, or executive orders related to COVID-19 might have already expired or been rendered null due to built-in sunset provisions or other time-bound constraints. Nonetheless, this act seeks to ensure clarity and certainty regarding their termination status.

It is understood that in some cases, these laws are no longer being enforced or were only allocated set amounts of funding that has since been exhausted. However, with the pandemic being over, it is important they are taken off the books completely. No overzealous president of any party should be able to go through these and find a way to oppress the populace. No Congress of any coalition should be able to decide to appropriate more funding where it has run out to bring the lockdowns back. Instead we should formally establish that the pandemic is over, that many of these things were wrong even when they were first passed, and that we are not going back to 2020, ever. Just like states that have repealed gay marriage bans that haven't been enforceable for a long time to demonstrate they were wrong, we are repealing these bills to demonstrate that they were wrong.

However, that being said, Amendment:

Article 1: Revocation of COVID-19-specific Legislation

All statutes, laws, and regulations previously enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are hereby repealed and are no longer in force, the following The following statutes are hereby repealed:
1. HB 23-02: Coronavirus Containment and Emergency Response Act
2. HB 23-12: More Funding to Combat COVID-19 Act
3. HB 23-13: Support for Frontline Workers of the 2019-2020 Coronavirus Pandemic Resolution (Passed)
4. HB 24-03: Further Efforts in Pandemic Fighting Act (Passed)
5. HB 23-17: Jobs and Pay During the Coronavirus Pandemic Act (Passed)
6. HB 24-19: Extending Quarantines for New Arrivals Act (Passed)
7. HB 23-05: Emergency Economic Stimulus Act of 2020
8. HB 23-04: More Money for Hurting Small Businesses Act
9. HB 25-05: Employer COVID-19 Liability Limitation Act
10. HB 26.01 Mask Mandate Act
11. HB 26-04: No Coronavirus Copays for Veterans Act
12. HB 26-16: The Second Emergency Economic Stimulus Act of 2020 (Passed)
13. SB 28-11: Vaccine Production Act (Passed)
14. HB 29-04: COVID Is No Match for Bribes Act (Passed)
15. HB 29-12: COVID-19 Funeral Relief Assistance Act
16. HB 28-17: COVIDEBT Act (Debating)
17. HB 29-39: Third Emergency Economic Stimulus Act (Passed)
18. HR 30-08: People over Patents
19. HB 30-05: COVID-19 Vaccine Card Anti-Forgery Act
20. HB 29-42: Medical Leave and Compensation Act of 2021
21. SB 104-05: Direct COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution Act (Passed)
22. SB 105-02: Immunization Act of 2021 (Passed)

Exceptions:
SB 117-02: The Covid Offenders Pardon Act

Item 3 is simply a resolution recognizing contributions. No harm done there.
Item 8 simply provides money to help small businesses. While I think the money here has already been expended, there's nothing in this bill that could be oppressive should funding still exist or be provided.
Item 9 provides reasonable liability protections for employers so they are not blamed for every covid-19 case. There are still a few people getting covid-19 out there, so this remains appropriate.
Item 10 was already repealed.
Item 11 still provides valuable services to our veterans, and is narrowly drafted.
Items 13 and 21 are simply ensuring vaccines are available to those who want them, they are not mandates.
Item 19 simply prohibits the forgery of vaccine cards. While this is a mostly useless document now, that shouldn't mean creating a fake one is ok.
With the shift to only repealing the specified statutes, we don't need to explicitly exempt the pardon bill anymore.

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

While I strongly oppose this legislation and believe that the pandemic is not over, as large numbers of people are still falling ill every day and the virus is making seasonal surges, I offer the following amendment, to soften my opposition.

The Termination of COVID-19 Measures Act

Preamble

Recognizing the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic and the necessity to adapt our legislative and executive measures accordingly,

Article 1: Revocation of COVID-19-specific Legislation

All statutes, laws, and regulations previously enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are hereby repealed and are no longer in force, the following:
1. HB 23-02: Coronavirus Containment and Emergency Response Act
2. HB 23-12: More Funding to Combat COVID-19 Act
3. HB 23-13: Support for Frontline Workers of the 2019-2020 Coronavirus Pandemic Resolution (Passed)
4. HB 24-03: Further Efforts in Pandemic Fighting Act (Passed)
5. HB 23-17: Jobs and Pay During the Coronavirus Pandemic Act (Passed)
6. HB 24-19: Extending Quarantines for New Arrivals Act (Passed)
7. HB 23-05: Emergency Economic Stimulus Act of 2020
8. HB 23-04: More Money for Hurting Small Businesses Act
9. HB 25-05: Employer COVID-19 Liability Limitation Act
10. HB 26.01 Mask Mandate Act
11. HB 26-04: No Coronavirus Copays for Veterans Act
12. HB 26-16: The Second Emergency Economic Stimulus Act of 2020 (Passed)
13. SB 28-11: Vaccine Production Act (Passed)
14. HB 29-04: COVID Is No Match for Bribes Act (Passed)
15. HB 29-12: COVID-19 Funeral Relief Assistance Act
16. HB 28-17: COVIDEBT Act (Debating)
17. HB 29-39: Third Emergency Economic Stimulus Act (Passed)
18. HR 30-08: People over Patents
19. HB 30-05: COVID-19 Vaccine Card Anti-Forgery Act
20. HB 29-42: Medical Leave and Compensation Act of 2021
21. SB 104-05: Direct COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution Act (Passed)
22. SB 105-02: Immunization Act of 2021 (Passed)

Exceptions:
SB 117-02: The Covid Offenders Pardon Act

Article 2: Annulment of Ongoing COVID-19 Executive Orders

All executive orders related to COVID-19 that mandate continuing actions are hereby rescinded and declared null and void.

Disclaimer: Sunset Provisions

It is acknowledged that some of the aforementioned laws, statutes, regulations, or executive orders related to COVID-19 might have already expired or been rendered null due to built-in sunset provisions or other time-bound constraints. Nonetheless, this act seeks to ensure clarity and certainty regarding their termination status.

Article 3: Refundable Credit for the Unvaccinated: Say no to discrimination

Individuals who chose not to receive the COVID-19 vaccination shall be eligible to claim a one-time refundable credit of $1,000, aligning with the benefits previously afforded to vaccinated individuals, as determined in SB 30-04: COVID Is No Match for Bribes Act

Article 4: Repeal of COVID-19 Vaccination Record Cards

The issuance and requirement of COVID-19 Vaccination Record Cards is hereby terminated. Individuals shall no longer be mandated to present or maintain such cards as proof of vaccination status. All entities, public or private, are prohibited from requiring these cards for any purpose

Section 5: Repeal of Pandemic Wealth Tax

I. The "Pandemic Wealth Tax" or any analogous federal tax implemented during or in response to a health crisis or pandemic is hereby repealed in its entirety.

Ia. All financial obligations or liabilities arising from said tax prior to its repeal remain enforceable, unless otherwise stated in subsequent provisions or amendments.
Ib. The federal government shall promptly address and provide guidance on any outstanding administrative or compliance issues stemming from the repeal of this tax.

A vote is open on the amendment.

Abstain

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Laki, are you aware that most of these bills have already been phased out? You can't "repeal" something that is no longer enforced.

We already explicitly repealed the Mask Mandate Act.

Why are we repealing a resolution recognizing the contributions of frontline workers?

How are you proposing to "repeal" appropriations that were made and spent years ago?

This is addressed by:

Disclaimer: Sunset Provisions

It is acknowledged that some of the aforementioned laws, statutes, regulations, or executive orders related to COVID-19 might have already expired or been rendered null due to built-in sunset provisions or other time-bound constraints. Nonetheless, this act seeks to ensure clarity and certainty regarding their termination status.

It is understood that in some cases, these laws are no longer being enforced or were only allocated set amounts of funding that has since been exhausted. However, with the pandemic being over, it is important they are taken off the books completely. No overzealous president of any party should be able to go through these and find a way to oppress the populace. No Congress of any coalition should be able to decide to appropriate more funding where it has run out to bring the lockdowns back. Instead we should formally establish that the pandemic is over, that many of these things were wrong even when they were first passed, and that we are not going back to 2020, ever. Just like states that have repealed gay marriage bans that haven't been enforceable for a long time to demonstrate they were wrong, we are repealing these bills to demonstrate that they were wrong.

Ban repeals like those, no matter how well-meant or objectively correct, are virtue signaling by nature.

All these proposed repeals are for the coronavirus pandemic of 2020. If Dave forbid there's another plague of another virus or germ in 2030 or whatever, how would this bill stop future President or future Congress from passing a lockdown dealing with that specifically? And we don't "reactivate" funds based on past expired appropriations in any case, it's extremely strange to foreclose something that we don't do in Atlasia and never have.

It wouldn't stop new legislation of course, but at least we ensure a full vote on that new legislation rather than an overzealous president finding some authority to reinstate lockdowns unilaterally on. Further, I do not see any circumstance, including a pandemic of similar intensity, under which I would support the policies of 2020 or similar.

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Dkrol Amendment fails 3-9-2-4.

Hearing no objection, my amendment is adopted.

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Hearing no objection, Cao's amendment is adopted

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

motion for a final vote

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

motion withdrawn for now

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Very well, I have no objection

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Amendment Adopted, Motion for a final vote

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

I am still planning to oppose this legislation. I firmly believe that the erasure of the COVID pandemic will lead to further unnecessary, avoidable deaths, as well as have a chilling factor when the next national crisis occurs. We need to acknowledge that many people are still getting sick and dying from COVID every day, especially with seasonal surges. No one is advocating for lock downs at this time. But being ostriches won’t help anyone.

We have never had lockdowns or mandates for seasonal influenza and that's essentially what covid is at this time, thus it should be treated the same. Treat the cases that occur, provide a vaccine for those who want it, nothing more. Leaving old laws on the books serves no purpose. Any Debate about what may happen down the road is terribly premature.

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

The laws mentioned contain several provisions for quarantine and vaccine mandates which are oppressive at this point. Further, leaving an executive with emergency powers or funding that is no longer timely is never appropriate.

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

A final vote is beginning.

Aye

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

The laws mentioned contain several provisions for quarantine and vaccine mandates which are oppressive at this point. Further, leaving an executive with emergency powers or funding that is no longer timely is never appropriate.

Which are no longer in effect! We repealed the mandates, the funding was allocated and spent and can't be retrieved! That was a whole thing!

This bill doesn't do anything that I can see, it would certainly take up more unnecessary space on the books than most of the bills it's trying to repeal.

You repealed the mask mandate, the other mandates, in particular the vaccine one, appear to still be in law.

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Passes 10-6-1-1

The Termination of COVID-19 Measures Act

Preamble

Recognizing the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic and the necessity to adapt our legislative and executive measures accordingly,

Article 1: Revocation of COVID-19-specific Legislation

Article 1: Revocation of COVID-19-specific Legislation

The following statutes are hereby repealed:
1. HB 23-02: Coronavirus Containment and Emergency Response Act
2. HB 23-12: More Funding to Combat COVID-19 Act
3. HB 24-03: Further Efforts in Pandemic Fighting Act (Passed)
4. HB 23-17: Jobs and Pay During the Coronavirus Pandemic Act (Passed)
5. HB 24-19: Extending Quarantines for New Arrivals Act (Passed)
6. HB 23-05: Emergency Economic Stimulus Act of 2020
7. HB 26-16: The Second Emergency Economic Stimulus Act of 2020 (Passed)
8. HB 29-12: COVID-19 Funeral Relief Assistance Act
9. HB 28-17: COVIDEBT Act (Debating)
10. HB 29-39: Third Emergency Economic Stimulus Act (Passed)
11. SB 105-02: Immunization Act of 2021 (Passed)

Article 2: Annulment of Ongoing COVID-19 Executive Orders

All executive orders related to COVID-19 that mandate continuing actions are hereby rescinded and declared null and void.

Disclaimer: Sunset Provisions

It is acknowledged that some of the aforementioned laws, statutes, regulations, or executive orders related to COVID-19 might have already expired or been rendered null due to built-in sunset provisions or other time-bound constraints. Nonetheless, this act seeks to ensure clarity and certainty regarding their termination status.

Article 3: Repeal of COVID-19 Vaccination Record Cards

The issuance and requirement of COVID-19 Vaccination Record Cards is hereby terminated. Individuals shall no longer be mandated to present or maintain such cards as proof of vaccination status. All entities, public or private, are prohibited from requiring these cards for any purpose

Article 4: Repeal of Pandemic Wealth Tax

I. The "Pandemic Wealth Tax" or any analogous federal tax implemented during or in response to a health crisis or pandemic is hereby repealed in its entirety.

Ia. All financial obligations or liabilities arising from said tax prior to its repeal remain enforceable, unless otherwise stated in subsequent provisions or amendments.
Ib. The federal government shall promptly address and provide guidance on any outstanding administrative or compliance issues stemming from the repeal of this tax.

Wall of Shame Vote 36:

Razze up to 32

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

I provide notice of the President's redraft. Does the sponsor wish to accept the redraft or go for a full veto override?

Redraft statement

We have made much progress in this administration addressing loose societal ends from the heyday of the COVID-19 pandemic, notably through the COVID Offenders Pardon Act. For such a comprehensive omnibus repeal bill as what I'm addressing tonight, your President bothered for once to go through each cited legislation and assess their lasting impact. Many of them, such as the various stimulus packages, had clear temporary statuses with unambiguous expiration dates. Others, like the Jobs and Pay or the Frontline Workers measures, offer critical support to the still overwhelmed healthcare sector beyond COVID alone for tending to family, friends, and ourselves.

As appealing as the image of a totally blank slate can be, Senator/former President Cao is correct that large aspects of the bill as-is amount to virtue signaling. We must also be vigilant in not tearing down past reforms that better protect our doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals from drowning to an overload of ailment and burnout. Where there is room for resolving past stringent (and ongoing) measures is with our vaccination-related mandates; the Immunization Act indefinitely continues to require immunization or weekly testing across most employers. This is unnecessary and oppressive in light of the progression of the virus and our now-better understanding of how past responses have fared.

I shall also give credit to Senator DKrol, who is right that this pandemic is not truly over. Many Atlasians, including some of my closest loved ones, have continued to recently fight off, suffer lingering aftereffects, or fall to the virus and all of its perilous potential. Just as we have learned from and adapted to our initial pandemic traumas, we as Atlasians must continue to look ahead for the future while not shying away from the national challenges still left behind. Much cannot quite be called 'normal' yet, although I have always been an optimist for what we're capable of.

That, ladies and gentlemen, concludes my effortpost. Have a redraft.

Passes 10-6-1-1

The Termination of COVID-19 Measures Act

Preamble

Recognizing the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic and the necessity to adapt our legislative and executive measures accordingly,

Article 1: Revocation of COVID-19-specific Legislation

Article 1: Revocation of COVID-19-specific Legislation

The following statutes are hereby repealed:
1. HB 23-02: Coronavirus Containment and Emergency Response Act
2. HB 23-12: More Funding to Combat COVID-19 Act
3. HB 24-03: Further Efforts in Pandemic Fighting Act (Passed)
4. HB 23-17: Jobs and Pay During the Coronavirus Pandemic Act (Passed)
5. HB 24-19: Extending Quarantines for New Arrivals Act (Passed)
6. HB 23-05: Emergency Economic Stimulus Act of 2020
7. HB 26-16: The Second Emergency Economic Stimulus Act of 2020 (Passed)
8. HB 29-12: COVID-19 Funeral Relief Assistance Act
9. HB 28-17: COVIDEBT Act (Debating)
10. HB 29-39: Third Emergency Economic Stimulus Act (Passed)
11. SB 105-02: Immunization Act of 2021 (Passed)

Article 2: Annulment of Ongoing COVID-19 Executive Orders

All executive orders related to COVID-19 that mandate continuing actions are hereby rescinded and declared null and void.

Disclaimer: Sunset Provisions

It is acknowledged that some of the aforementioned laws, statutes, regulations, or executive orders related to COVID-19 might have already expired or been rendered null due to built-in sunset provisions or other time-bound constraints. Nonetheless, this act seeks to ensure clarity and certainty regarding their termination status.

Article 3: Repeal of COVID-19 Vaccination Record Cards

The issuance and requirement of COVID-19 Vaccination Record Cards is hereby terminated. Individuals shall no longer be mandated to present or maintain such cards as proof of vaccination status. All entities, public or private, are prohibited from requiring these cards for any purpose

Article 4: Repeal of Pandemic Wealth Tax

I. The "Pandemic Wealth Tax" or any analogous federal tax implemented during or in response to a health crisis or pandemic is hereby repealed in its entirety.

Ia. All financial obligations or liabilities arising from said tax prior to its repeal remain enforceable, unless otherwise stated in subsequent provisions or amendments.
Ib. The federal government shall promptly address and provide guidance on any outstanding administrative or compliance issues stemming from the repeal of this tax.

VETOED AND REDRAFTED

The Termination of COVID-19 Measures Act

Preamble

Recognizing the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic and the necessity to adapt our legislative and executive measures accordingly,

Article 1: Revocation of COVID-19-specific Legislation

SB 105-02: Immunization Act of 2021 is hereby repealed.

The following statutes are hereby repealed:
1. HB 23-02: Coronavirus Containment and Emergency Response Act
2. HB 23-12: More Funding to Combat COVID-19 Act
3. HB 24-03: Further Efforts in Pandemic Fighting Act (Passed)
4. HB 23-17: Jobs and Pay During the Coronavirus Pandemic Act (Passed)
5. HB 24-19: Extending Quarantines for New Arrivals Act (Passed)
6. HB 23-05: Emergency Economic Stimulus Act of 2020
7. HB 26-16: The Second Emergency Economic Stimulus Act of 2020 (Passed)
8. HB 29-12: COVID-19 Funeral Relief Assistance Act
9. HB 28-17: COVIDEBT Act (Debating)
10. HB 29-39: Third Emergency Economic Stimulus Act (Passed)
11. SB 105-02: Immunization Act of 2021 (Passed)

Article 2: Annulment of Ongoing COVID-19 Executive Orders

All executive orders related to COVID-19 that mandate continuing actions are hereby rescinded and declared null and void.

Disclaimer: Sunset Provisions

It is acknowledged that some of the aforementioned laws, statutes, regulations, or executive orders related to COVID-19 might have already expired or been rendered null due to built-in sunset provisions or other time-bound constraints. Nonetheless, this act seeks to ensure clarity and certainty regarding their termination status.

Article 3: Repeal of COVID-19 Vaccination Record Cards

The issuance and requirement of COVID-19 Vaccination Record Cards is hereby terminated. Individuals shall no longer be mandated to present or maintain such cards as proof of vaccination status. All entities, public or private, are prohibited from requiring these cards for any purpose

Article 4: Repeal of Pandemic Wealth Tax

I. The "Pandemic Wealth Tax" or any analogous federal tax implemented during or in response to a health crisis or pandemic is hereby repealed in its entirety.

Ia. All financial obligations or liabilities arising from said tax prior to its repeal remain enforceable, unless otherwise stated in subsequent provisions or amendments.
Ib. The federal government shall promptly address and provide guidance on any outstanding administrative or compliance issues stemming from the repeal of this tax.

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

A vote is open on the redraft.

Aye

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Redraft PASSES 9-7-0-2

Wall of Shame Vote 44:

AFE up to 6
Razze up to 1

Cao, Lord Richard, Fhtagn reset to 0