Southern Legislation Introduction Thread - 2019/2020

[Saint Milei]

Economic Freedom Zones Act of 2019
   To grow wealth in low-income urban and rural communities.
In the Southern Chamber of Delegates
The Bill
   To grow wealth in low-income urban and rural communities.

Section 1: Short Title
   This policy wil be titled the Economic Freedom Zones Act of 2019
Section 2: Findings
   The Chamber of Delegates finds the following
(1)   Low-income communities are unable to spur job growth and increase economic output in their communities
(2)   Middle class and wealthy communities are able to do this under the current tax system
(3)   Many low-income communities would like to rebuild themselves without interference from government
(4)   Incentives ought to be provided to local businesses in low-income communities and other businesses in the South
(5)   Culture is important in these communities and it’s crucial for the communities to hire from within
Section 3: Implementation
   The Chamber of Delegates proposes the following in three phases:
Short Term:
   The best way to spur growth in communities is to reduce the crowding-out effect of government. Allow business owners and individuals from these communities the free reigns of deciding how to conduct economic growth
(1)   Repeal the following regional business taxes: Corporate income tax, capital gains tax, and the payroll tax
(2)   Adding a tax credit of $250 to each business per new hire of an individual from their home community
Mid Term:
   Reinvestment is crucial to the survival of low-income communities. Tax cuts help create the environment. Reinvestment creates the pillar that allows said communities to flourish.
(1)   Double the amount of expensing of all business costs
(2)   Suspend and nullify all federal regulations in areas designated as Economic Freedom Zones
(3)   Appoint officials to coordinate with business owners in areas with restricted land to lower restrictions.
Long-Term Reinvestment:
   Increasing both economic opportunities and economic mobility in these disadvantaged communities.
(1)   Create a voucher program for communities designated as Economic Freedom Zones.
(2)   Provide a new $1500 tax credit per child for parents or guardians
(3)   Establish a new Business-Academic Tax credit for businesses that provide scholarships or financial aid to employers and residents in their communities.
(4)   Increase the number of Southern resident applicants in order to raise the number of entrepreneurs

[Saint Milei]

Southern Decriminalization Act of 2019 – Phase I
   To decriminalize all drugs and stop the overincarceration of people from low-income communities

Southern Chamber of Delegates
The Bill
Following the next fiscal year, all hard drug offenses for personal or transactional use shall be decriminalized in the Southern Region.
Section 1: Short Title
   The act will be titled the “Southern Decriminalization Act of 2019 – Phase I”
Section 2: Findings
   The Chamber of Delegates find the following
(1)   The state and federal governments of Atlasia are currently eroding the personal freedom of its citizens
(2)   The War on Drugs has had a disproportionate outcome impacting low-income communities; particularly young minorities.
(3)   Overcriminalizing drug use has allowed prisons to profit at the expense of public safety
(4)   Most people who are convicted of a drug offense have a higher chance of recidivating
(5)   Prison does not focus on treatment
(6)   The cost for imprisonment is too expensive
Section 3: Rule of Construction
   The War on Drugs has been a systematic failure on every level. No citizen should be forced to go to prison, be around criminals who commit violent crimes against other citizens, and not get the proper treatment for their addiction. Government is obligated to protect life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness. The war goes against the very nature of what government ought to do. Additionally, imprisoning young people prevents them from being able to unlock their human potential and utilize their human capital. It’s unproductive on every level. Treatment, if necessary, should be promoted rather than punishment. Furthermore, we must respect the personal choices of individuals and their bodily autonomy, while also finding the root cause to drug abuse. Thus, all drugs should be decriminalized.

Section 4: Reform
(1)   All hard drug offenses for personal or transactional use shall be decriminalized in the Southern Region
(2)   The Southern Government shall nullify all federal drug laws applying to drug use, not the sale of said drugs.
(3)   Funding for the DEA shall be reduced by 25% every year until the resources used for the War on Drugs are completely eliminated and returned to taxpaying southerners
(4)   All police, regardless of rank, are required to stop anyone in possession of hard drugs and subject said citizen to a fine that shall not exceed $250
(5)   Each fine will vary on the amount held by a citizen in the South
(6)   Non-citizens, residents, and citizens from other regions of Atlasia will be subject to the same treatment.
(7)   The following drugs shall be decriminalized: Cocaine, Crack-Cocaine, Opium, Heroine, Amphetamine. Methamphetamine, MDMA, Salvia, Ketamine, and all drugs that are a variant of those listed
(   The DEA is required to label each drug that will require mandatory treatment for those found to be in possession of a hard narcotic.

[Saint Milei]

Legal Tender Act of 2019
   To recognize Gold and Silver as legal tender and eliminate the taxes on both metals
Southern Chamber of Delegates
The Bill
Following the next fiscal year, the sales tax on gold and silver will be eliminated. Effective immediately, gold and silver will be recognized as legal tender and accepted as a form of financial transaction.
Section 1: Short Title
   The act will be titled “Legal Tender Act of 2019”
Section 2: Findings
   The Chamber of Delegates find the following:
(1)   Gold and Silver have traditionally been accepted as money
(2)   Gold and Silver hold their value over time
(3)   Both federal and regional governments have taxed a traditional form of currency
(4)   Upholding gold and silver specie as legal tender will ease the burden on precious metal investors
Section 3: Rule of Construction
   Imagine a going to a local store and being taxed for breaking a $50 bill. You are effectively being taxed for exchanging one note for another. This is exactly what is happening with precious metals. Gold and Silver are considered mediums of exchange. Atlasia Reserve Notes are also mediums of exchange. It’s unproductive and only hurts those with different forms of exchange
Section 4: Reform
(1)   Officially define Gold and Silver as mediums of exchange
(2)   Remove all taxes applied on both metals when exchanged for Atlasia Reserve Notes
(3)   All specie having gold or silver content will be defined as mediums of exchange
(4)   Any legal tender defined as a medium of exchange will be weighed and tested for its purity

[Saint Milei]

Amend the Bill of Rights
Modifications to Article II: Bill of Rights
1.   Inalienable Rights – All persons are by nature born equal, free, and independent and have inherent rights of which they cannot be deprived of by other persons, institutions, or the law. No person shall be forcefully hindered from possessing or maintaining property. No person shall be deprived of their life or liberty. All persons shall be treated equally under the law regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, economic status, sexual orientation, disability, or other extraneous differences between individuals. No law shall give groups, communities, or institutions privileges over other individuals. All persons shall be treated as individuals under the law.
2.   Freedom of Speech – The Southern Chamber of Delegates shall make no law prohibiting, regulating, or limiting the freedom of individual speech, press, peacefully assembling and protesting, or petitioning the Southern Government of Atlasia for a redress of grievances if and only if a person, community, or institution, is not inflicting direct harm onto a citizen of Atlasia. Additionally, a peaceful strike or demonstration by private southern citizens shall not be hindered by the Southern Government.
3.   Rights of the Accused – All persons shall be innocent until proven guilty under the law in all criminal prosecutions. The accused shall enjoy a right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury of the state in the district where the crime is stated. The accused shall have the rights to legal counsel and a copy of the nature and cause of the accusation. The accused shall not be compelled to furnish or give evidence against them, nor be deprived of life, liberty, and property. The accused shall not be forced to give confessions or testimonies in a trial. The accused shall not be prevented from being informed about the witnesses accusing him of a crime. A public defender will be granted to the accused if needed. Additionally, in all criminal prosecutions, no person shall be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy.
4.   Right to Privacy – The right to privacy shall not be infringed upon by the state. No person shall be subject to unreasonable and unwarranted searches and seizures in their property. Warrants shall be issued only through probable cause, describing the scope of the search, area, limits, and what specific persons or things that need to be searched. All seizures must abide by limits a warrant would abide by.
5.   Freedom of Religion – The right to religious expression shall not be hindered by the state if and only if a person, community, or private institution, is not inflicting direct harm onto a citizen of Atlasia. Furthermore, the government of The South, at all levels, shall neither prefer, endorse, nor exhibit biases against or in favor of any one religion or a combination of religions. 
6.   Right to Property – The seizure of private property for public use without just compensation shall be prohibited.
7.   Right to Security – Every citizen has the right to security in their community, with forces including the police, fire patrol, and other public services that protect their community. No person shall be infringed upon their right to form a peaceful and private militia. The militia is subject to regulation by the Southern Government at all levels. Additionally, the right to bear arms shall not be infringed upon by the Southern Government.

[Saint Milei]

Southern Decriminalization Act of 2019 – Phase II
   To decriminalize all drugs and stop the over-incarceration of people from low-income communities

Southern Chamber of Delegates
The Bill
   Phase II deals with addressing the over-incarceration of drug offenders.
Section 1: Short Title
   The act will be titled the “Southern Decriminalization Act of 2019 – Phase II”
Section 2: Findings
   The Chamber of Delegates find the following
(1)   With the War on Drugs slowly coming to an end, there is no reason for non-violent drug offenders to remain in prison with violent criminals
(2)   Reducing the number of non-violent drug offenders in prison poses no threat to the safety of Southerners
(3)   Over-criminalizing drug use has allowed prisons to profit at the expense of public safety
(4)   Most people who are convicted of a drug offense have a higher chance of recidivating
(5)   The cost for imprisonment is too expensive
Section 3: Reform
(1)   Following the next fiscal year, all prisoners convicted of and only of the ue of an illegal narcotic shall be pardoned and their criminal record expunged. This applies only to prisoners serving anywhere between 30 days and 12 months
(2)   Following the next fiscal year, all prisoners convicted of and only of selling an illegal narcotic shall be pardoned and their criminal record expunged after a background check is done. The background check will ensure the prisoner is not apart of any illegal gang, terrorist group, or drug cartel. This applies only to prisoners serving anywhere between 30 days and 15 months.
(3)   Prisoners serving longer than 12 months for the use or possession of an illegal narcotic will be able to appeal their sentence to the Southern Governor and the Chamber of Delegates.

[Saint Milei]

Economic Freedom Zones Act of 2019 2.0
   To grow wealth in low-income urban and rural communities.
In the Southern Chamber of Delegates
The Bill
   To grow wealth in low-income urban and rural communities.

Section 1: Short Title
   This policy will be titled the Economic Freedom Zones Act of 2019 2.0
Section 2: Findings
   The Chamber of Delegates finds the following
(1)   Low-income communities are unable to spur job growth and increase economic output in their communities
(2)   Middle class and wealthy communities are able to do this under the current tax system
(3)   Many low-income communities would like to rebuild themselves without interference from government
(4)   Incentives ought to be provided to local businesses in low-income communities and other businesses in the South
(5)   Culture is important in these communities and it’s crucial for the communities to hire from within
Section 3: Implementation
   The Chamber of Delegates proposes the following in three phases:
Short Term:
   The best way to spur growth in communities is to reduce the crowding-out effect of government. Allow business owners and individuals from these communities the free reigns of deciding how to conduct economic growth
(1)   Repeal the following regional business taxes: Corporate income tax, capital gains tax, and the payroll tax
(2)   Adding a tax credit of $250 to each business per new hire of an individual from their home community
Mid Term:
   Reinvestment is crucial to the survival of low-income communities. Tax cuts help create the environment. Reinvestment creates the pillar that allows said communities to flourish.
(1)   Double the amount of expensing of all business costs
(2)   Appoint officials to coordinate with business owners in areas with restricted land to lower restrictions.
Long-Term Reinvestment:
   Increasing both economic opportunities and economic mobility in these disadvantaged communities.
(1)   Create a voucher program for communities designated as Economic Freedom Zones.
(2)   Provide a new $1500 tax credit per child for parents or guardians
(3)   Establish a new Business-Academic Tax credit for businesses that provide scholarships or financial aid to employers and residents in their communities.
(4)   Increase the number of Southern resident applicants in order to raise the number of entrepreneurs

[Saint Milei]

Lawyers Without School Act of 2019
Section I - Title: The Title of this Bill shall be “Lawyers Without School Act”
Section II – Options
      Any citizen of the South, over the age of 18, who has obtained a high school, is eligible to take the bar exam if they have completed the following requirements
1.   Graduated from an accredited law school in Atlasia
2.   Completes a Law Office Apprenticeship Program in the South
Section III – Law Office Apprenticeship Program
      All participants of the Apprenticeship Program are subject to the following
1.   A four-year apprenticeship with a law firm, lawyer with a degree from an accredited law school in Atlasia, or a professor of law at a college or university in the South
2.   Each student will be required to work and train for 18 hours a week under Section III. 1
3.   Passage of a First-Year Law Student’s Exam is required at the end of the first year of apprenticeship in order to continue the program. The cost of the exam will be $50
4.   Students must demonstrate positive moral character determination over the course of the program
5.   All requirements (other than the bar exam and completion of law school ) in order to be a lawyer must be fulfilled in order to complete the program

Section IV – Lawyers
Lawyers, law firms, and professors of law have the discretion of picking students they want to apprentice.

Section V – Fees
1.   A one-time fee of $100 shall be given to the Southern Government in order to enroll in the apprenticeship program
2.   An annual fee of $1500 a year shall be given to the mentor under Section III.1 in order to continue the apprenticeship program

[Saint Milei]

Lieutenant Governor Act of 2019
   To create the office of Lieutenant Governor who will serve as second in command to the Southern Government
   Section I – Title: The title of this bill shall be the “Lieutenant Governor Act”
   Section II – Branch
The Lieutenant Governor will be a member of the executive branch in the Southern Government
   Section III – Powers
1.   The Lieutenant Governor will be acting governor whenever the elected governor is not available for longer than 96 consecutive hours or on a leave of absence
2.   The Lieutenant Governor will be the Acting Speaker when the Speaker is not available for longer than 96 consecutive hours or on a leave of absence
3.   The Lieutenant Governor will also be the President of the Chamber of Delegates, ensuring reasonable debate and dialogue between delegates
4.   If needed, the Lieutenant Governor can establish roles in the Chamber of Delegates
5.   If the Governor of the South resigns, the Lieutenant Governor will succeed the current governor and finish the term
6.   If there is ever an instance where there is a tied vote in the Chamber of Delegates and all members have votes aye, nay, or abstain, the Lieutenant Governor will vote to break the tie.
Section IV – Appointment
The Lieutenant Governor shall be appointed by the governor and shall be reappointed or removed during every gubernatorial cycle
   Section V – Resignation
1.   If the Lieutenant Governor resigns, the Chamber of Delegates will appoint and vote to confirm an acting Lieutenant Governor until the next gubernatorial election
2.   If the Lieutenant Governor violates any laws, is engaged in corruption, or is deemed unfit to hold the office or fails to do the job tasked of him/her, the Chamber of Delegates will vote to impeach and then remove him/her from office

[Saint Milei]

Economic Freedom Zones Act of 2019 2.0
   To grow wealth in low-income urban and rural communities.
In the Southern Chamber of Delegates
The Bill
   To grow wealth in low-income urban and rural communities.

Section 1: Short Title
   This policy will be titled the Economic Freedom Zones Act of 2019 2.0
Section 2: Findings
   The Chamber of Delegates finds the following
(1)   Low-income communities are unable to spur job growth and increase economic output in their communities
(2)   Middle class and wealthy communities are able to do this under the current tax system
(3)   Many low-income communities would like to rebuild themselves without interference from government
(4)   Incentives ought to be provided to local businesses in low-income communities and other businesses in the South
(5)   Culture is important in these communities and it’s crucial for the communities to hire from within
Section 3: Implementation
   The Chamber of Delegates proposes the following in three phases:
Short Term:
   The best way to spur growth in communities is to reduce the crowding-out effect of government. Allow business owners and individuals from these communities the free reigns of deciding how to conduct economic growth
(1)   Repeal the following regional business taxes: Corporate income tax, capital gains tax, and the payroll tax
(2)   Adding a tax credit of $250 to each business per new hire of an individual from their home community
Mid Term:
   Reinvestment is crucial to the survival of low-income communities. Tax cuts help create the environment. Reinvestment creates the pillar that allows said communities to flourish.
(1)   Double the amount of expensing of all business costs
(2)   Appoint officials to coordinate with business owners in areas with restricted land to lower restrictions.
Long-Term Reinvestment:
   Increasing both economic opportunities and economic mobility in these disadvantaged communities.
(1)   Create a voucher program for communities designated as Economic Freedom Zones.
(2)   Provide a new $1500 tax credit per child for parents or guardians
(3)   Establish a new Business-Academic Tax credit for businesses that provide scholarships or financial aid to employers and residents in their communities.
(4)   Increase the number of Southern resident applicants in order to raise the number of entrepreneurs

You guys seem to have missed this bill. Have the decency to formally vote it down.

I removed the part that would force the judicial system to intervene

[Saint Milei]

Poor Tax Abolition Act - South

AN ACT
to stop robbing the poor to feed the rich

Section 1 (Title & definitions)
i. The title of this Act shall be, the "Poor Tax Abolition Act." It may be cited as "PTAA."
ii. "Lottery" in this legislation shall refer to the practice of selling numbered tickets and awarding prizes to holders of numbers drawn at random, as well as to all other schemes wherein cards or tickets are sold and prizes are awarded to some holders.

Section 2 (Abolition of the lottery)
i. No state or other jurisdiction from the South shall operate or draw revenue from a lottery.
ii. All existing state and municipal lotteries are hereby disbanded.

Section 3 (Precluding complicity)
i. No revenue generated by a lottery shall be paid into the treasury of the South.

Section 4 (Implementation)
i. This legislation shall take effect with the Fiscal Year of 2020.