Mideast Assembly Thread

[Peter]

The motion carries. The bill now stands as:
Mideast Abortion Staute II

1: No abortions shall be permitted after the First trimester of a pregnancy except in the cases of threat to the mother's health or a pregnancy caused by rape and/or incest.
2: Any individual who induces a prohibited abortion shall have any existing license from the Mideast Region or a subdivision thereof to practice a medical profession revoked for up to five years.
3: Any individual who induces a prohibited abortion shall be sentenced to up to one year in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000. Any person knowingly facilitating the inducement of a prohibited abortion shall be subject to a criminal fine of up to $100,000 and/or six months in prison.
4: The Mideast Abortion Statute is hereby repealed.

[Peter]

There is a motion to proceed to vote. Does Persepolis object?

[Peter]

The vote is on the bill above. Persepolis has voted Aye.

[Peter]

Nay.
The Ayes have it. The Ayes have it.

Mideast Abortion Staute II

1: No abortions shall be permitted after the First trimester of a pregnancy except in the cases of threat to the mother's health or a pregnancy caused by rape and/or incest.
2: Any individual who induces a prohibited abortion shall have any existing license from the Mideast Region or a subdivision thereof to practice a medical profession revoked for up to five years.
3: Any individual who induces a prohibited abortion shall be sentenced to up to one year in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000. Any person knowingly facilitating the inducement of a prohibited abortion shall be subject to a criminal fine of up to $100,000 and/or six months in prison.
4: The Mideast Abortion Statute is hereby repealed.

The above bill passes and is transmitted to the Governor for his signature or veto.

[Peter]

I oppose both bills.

I would like to propose the following bill:

Mideast Pornography Statute II
It shall be legal for all persons aged fourteen years or older to possess, view and buy pornography, depicting only persons aged eighteen years or older.

[Peter]

I would prefer to deal with matters in order of submission.

1. Ben Constine Memorial Act (author: Dan) - publically opposed by Peter and Persepolis
2. Constitutional Amendment for unfillable vacant Assembly seats (author: Dan) - I think this may be workable in some form, but am unsure how it can be done without a separation of powers issue.
3. Pornography II (author: Peter) - publically opposed by Dan.
4. Marijuana Taxation (author: Persepolis)

I would state that I do consider the Constine Memorial somewhat frivolous, and so I would request its author to withdraw rather than waste time on a vote. I am open to suggestions on the Constitutional Amendment, but as above, am unsure how to make it workable.

[Peter]

So noted.

Are there any amendments or debate for the Constitutional Amendment?
If there is no significant action within 24 hours I will move to vote.

[Peter]

I am afraid I am yet to see a version that I could vote in favour of.

[Peter]

As an alternative, I might suggest that the Federal Mideast Senator be seconded on a temporary basis - there is no separation of powers issue and the Senator would already have a mandate from the Mideast people.

[Peter]

Do you wish to replace your bill via friendly amendment?

If so, that is fine. A vote can be called if Persepolis does not object.

[Peter]

The following shall be added to the Mideast Constitution in Article III Secton 1:
"7. When there is a vacant seat in the Assembly the  Federal Mideast Senator(FMS) is given the power to vote in the Assembly when there is a tie, the FMS is not given the power to vote anyother time when there is a vacant seat. Once the vacant seat is filled by the Governor the power is taken away from the FMS"

The bill stands as above. If submitted by this Assembly, it shall need the ratification of a 2/3ds supermajority of citizens voting in a public referendum.

The vote on the above bill is opened.

[Peter]

Mideast Abortion Staute II

1: No abortions shall be permitted after the First trimester of a pregnancy except in the cases of threat to the mother's health or a pregnancy caused by rape and/or incest.
2: Any individual who induces a prohibited abortion shall have any existing license from the Mideast Region or a subdivision thereof to practice a medical profession revoked for up to five years.
3: Any individual who induces a prohibited abortion shall be sentenced to up to one year in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000. Any person knowingly facilitating the inducement of a prohibited abortion shall be subject to a criminal fine of up to $100,000 and/or six months in prison.
4: The Mideast Abortion Statute is hereby repealed.

I hereby publically protest the passage of the above act and petition for a public referendum to be held on it.

[Peter]

Mideast Abortion Staute II

1: No abortions shall be permitted after the First trimester of a pregnancy except in the cases of threat to the mother's health or a pregnancy caused by rape and/or incest.
2: Any individual who induces a prohibited abortion shall have any existing license from the Mideast Region or a subdivision thereof to practice a medical profession revoked for up to five years.
3: Any individual who induces a prohibited abortion shall be sentenced to up to one year in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000. Any person knowingly facilitating the inducement of a prohibited abortion shall be subject to a criminal fine of up to $100,000 and/or six months in prison.
4: The Mideast Abortion Statute is hereby repealed.

I hereby publically protest the passage of the above act and petition for a public referendum to be held on it.

Isn't it more lenient than the previous law?

Perhaps in terms of actual penalties for crimes committed, yes. But the underlying denial of liberty is much harsher.

[Peter]

The following shall be added to the Mideast Constitution in Article III Secton 1:
"7. When there is a vacant seat in the Assembly the  Federal Mideast Senator(FMS) is given the power to vote in the Assembly when there is a tie, the FMS is not given the power to vote anyother time when there is a vacant seat. Once the vacant seat is filled by the Governor the power is taken away from the FMS"

The bill stands as above. If submitted by this Assembly, it shall need the ratification of a 2/3ds supermajority of citizens voting in a public referendum.

The vote on the above bill is opened.

I vote AyeThe Ayes have it. The Ayes have it. The Governor is hereby directed to schedule a public referendum on this amendment.

[Peter]

Mideast Pornography Statute II
It shall be legal for all persons aged fourteen years or older to possess, view and buy pornography, depicting only persons aged eighteen years or older.

The above bill is now called to the floor for debate. The existing law is in this bill

I herby friendly amend my own bill to:
Mideast Pornography Statute II
All those persons of 14 years of age or older not incarcerated for crimes shall have the right to buy, possess and view pornography depicting only persons of 18 years of age or older.

[Peter]

I do I one question, Mr. Speaker, would it be ok if we added sec 2 of the current bill to this one, but change the ages to 14?

Some changes along these lines were brought in by the Sex Crime Statute. I am happy to bring in further Romeo-Juliet provisions, but would prefer not to open up the system to 14 year olds having sex with people of any age.

[Peter]

Mideast Pornography Statute II
All those persons of 14 years of age or older not incarcerated for crimes shall have the right to buy, possess and view pornography depicting only persons of 18 years of age or older.

There having been no substantive debate in 24 hours, the vote is on the bill above.

[Peter]

Aye on the bill

[Peter]

Mideast Pornography Statute II
All those persons of 14 years of age or older not incarcerated for crimes shall have the right to buy, possess and view pornography depicting only persons of 18 years of age or older.

There having been no substantive debate in 24 hours, the vote is on the bill above.

The Ayes have it. The Ayes have it.
The bill is submitted to the Governor for his signature or veto.

[Peter]

The Mideast Marijuana Taxation Statute

1. Whereas, the consumption of marijuana is legal, in accordance with FL 6-19, the Marijuana Legalization and Taxation Act.

2. A sales tax of 30% will be collected on any marijuana sale.

3. The Mideast Marijuana Legalization Statute is hereby repealed.

I would like to ask the Speaker if we can have a vote to table this. Currently, the senate is already raising the tax on marijuana, we don't need to.

There has been a motion to table which I shall deny on the grounds that it will be defeated - Whilst I am undecided on the bill, I would not vote to table and Persepolis has also indicated he would vote against it. Debate on the bill should proceed.

[Peter]

The Mideast Marijuana Taxation Statute

1. Whereas, the consumption of marijuana is legal, in accordance with FL 6-19, the Marijuana Legalization and Taxation Act.

2. A sales tax of 30% will be collected on any marijuana sale.

3. The Mideast Marijuana Legalization Statute is hereby repealed.

Sorry that I have allowed things to slip in the past couple of days.
The vote is on the above bill.
There will be a vote for a new Speaker at the beginning of the new term on Friday. As Dean of this Assembly, I will again assume the Chair for this purpose. My usual status of being a candidate if members wish me to be applies.

[Peter]

Aye
The Ayes have it. The Ayes have it. The bill is transmitted to the Governor for his signature or veto.

[Peter]

"Mideast Soldier Memorial Act"

Because the Mideast Assembly gives thanks for all the Soldiers who have fought for our nation the following will be built in their honor:

1: A Memorial shall be built in the Mideast Capital, College Park to honor our Soldiers who lived in the Mideast.
2: The cost of the Memorial shall be paid by the Mideast Government.
3: The building of the Memorial shall start as soon as the Act is passed and signed by the Mideast Governor.

Debate is on the above bill. Whilst I by no means disagree with its motives, it is a somewhat sentimental feel-good bill that actually serves no purpose whatsoever. I will abstain.

[Peter]

A stickler for protocol I am, I'm afraid. The new bill will come to the floor in due order.

"Mideast Soldier Memorial Act"

Because the Mideast Assembly gives thanks for all the Soldiers who have fought for our nation the following will be built in their honor:

1: A Memorial shall be built in the Mideast Capital, College Park to honor our Soldiers who lived in the Mideast.
2: The cost of the Memorial shall be paid by the Mideast Government.
3: The building of the Memorial shall start as soon as the Act is passed and signed by the Mideast Governor.

The vote is on the above bill.

[Peter]

Abstain.
The Ayes have it. The Ayes have it. The bill is transmitted to the Governor for his signature or veto.

The Mideast Marijuana Taxation Act

1. Whereas, the consumption of marijuana is legal, in accordance with FL 6-19, the Marijuana Legalization and Taxation Act.
2. There shall be a 10% tax increase on all marijuana substances in the Mideast
3. All money collected by this tax shall fund The Mideast Victim Compensation Act.
4. The 1% sales tax increase on gun purchases set in The Mideast Victim Compensation Act, is hereby repeal.
5. The Mideast Marijuana Legalization Statute is hereby repealed.

Debate on the above bill is open.

I had meant to raise this in the previous debate but had never got around to it within debate time - why exactly does the Mideast Marijuana Legalization Statute need to be repealed. To my mind repealing it may undo its effect on Regional Law, and thus criminalise marijuana as a matter of Regional Law.