SB - Atlasian Regional Powers Commission Act (Final Vote)

[Goldwater]

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Atlasian People's House of Representatives
Passed 6-0, in the Atlasian House Assembled,

[/quote]

Okay, I think I did it right this time.

So yeah, sponsor time.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

I'll admit I tend to be quite skeptical of legislating the creation of new commissions which are likely to be abandoned two weeks or less after their creation from lack of interest (as we often see with Congressional committees and other such organizations).  I also feel like the duties of this commission are best handled by the GM.

I'm going to need some persuading on this, because at the moment I'm leaning slightly against this bill.

[Anna Komnene]

I'm with Scott here.  I'm not sure there's much point in having this commission.  It seems like a glorified way of recommending a constitutional amendment that some Senator or Rep will sponsor later on (unless there's some power I'm missing?).  I'm not sure that the regions need more elaborated powers either.

[Donerail]

I think it's valuable to clearly define the lines between the regions and the federal government but I'm unsure that this (as opposed to a CA, which this would probably lead to anyways) is the best way to go about that

[Associate Justice PiT]

     I must agree with Senator Scott; having served for years in the Southern regional government, I have seen many commissions and almost all of them died on the vine. In fact, the budget commission back in 2011 was the only one that actually produced a finished product IIRC.

     I am highly favorable to securing greater powers for the regions, but if we're looking to crowdsource a Constitutional Amendment for that purpose then I don't even know that we really even need a formal commission to do this.

[Clyde1998]

Just to re-post my reasons for this bill:

This bill seek to create a commission to look into the possibility of having exclusive powers for the regional legislatures - and out of the powers of Congress. I feel that this will make what happens in the regional legislatures more important, as they will become the only vehicle for change on certain issues. Additionally, if people wish to change specific polices on these things, they'd have to run for regional office.

I recognise that Congress has passed a bill (I think it passed ) that gives education to the regions and I feel that this commission will be able to look into other things. Potentially things like the minimum wage, policing and housing could become regional issues.

The reason why I've decided to go about this via a commission is because I feel that this will enable citizens to be in the commission, it will allow the regional leaders to be involved and it won't hold up a slot in Congress for something that could take a month or so. (The bill gives a limit of three months - hopefully it won't take that long ).

I feel that this would be the best way to get a consensus across Atlasia in regards to regional powers. A commission would essentially recommend to Congress where it thinks the division between Congress and the regions should be, allowing for a constitutional amendment to be introduced.

I'm willing to answer questions on this if the Senate has any.

[Lambsbread]

I agree with my colleagues that this feels like an unnecessary task to take up when these commissions often fail to accomplish much of anything due to inactivity.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Is this getting a sponsor?  The Senate rules don't specify what happens to House-passed legislation that receives no sponsor in this body.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

If this doesn't get a sponsor in 24 hours, I'm going to motion to table.

[Mike Thick]

I will assume sponsorship of this legislation.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

I think we've long passed the time for debate and objection to Ted's sponsorship.  Shall we move to a final vote?

[Lambsbread]

I think we've long passed the time for debate and objection to Ted's sponsorship.  Shall we move to a final vote?

Seconded.

[Goldwater]

Yeah, will do that. Senators, please vote AYE, NAY, or Abstain.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Nay.

[Lambsbread]

Nay

[Donerail]

Nay

[Anna Komnene]

Abstain

[Associate Justice PiT]

     Abstain

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

This bill does not have enough votes to pass.  Senators have 24 hours to change their votes.

[Barnes]

I vote Aye on the legislation in place of Senator Siren's abstention.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

With one vote in favor, three against, one abstention, and one member not voting, the bill is rejected.