Southern Legislation Introduction Thread - 2019/2020

[West_Midlander]

The Southern Environmental Act (The SEA Act)
- Whereas human activity has a major impact on climate change.
- Whereas increasing global temperatures will lead to severe environmental deterioration, habitat destruction for animals, and a decrease in the quality of life for humans in coastal areas.
- Whereas non-renewables such as plastics emit harmful gases into the atmosphere upon burning.
- Whereas considerable amounts of recyclables are burned, end up in landfills, or are sent to other countries to the same effect.
- Whereas the large-scale consumption of meat, especially red meats such as beef and lamb, contributes to the methane emission crisis as well as to negative health effects in humans such as an increased amount of carcinogens and worsening heart health.

Be it resolved that:

Article I
Section I) One million dollars shall be dispensed to the states of the Southern region, according to the population of each, for the creation and broadcast of advertisements promoting recycling.
Section II) The funds for this program shall be allocated to each Southern state’s Department of Environmental Quality or equivalent.
Section III) The method of advertisement shall include but shall not be limited to television advertisements, billboard advertisements, radio advertisements, and so on.
Section IV) Upon the exhaustion of the aforementioned funds, Article I shall be null and void unless a law is passed renewing the fund in the same or a different amount.
Section V) Article I shall take effect, with funds dispensed to the states, on December 1, 2019.

Article II
Section I) One million dollars shall be dispensed to the states of the Southern region, according to the population of each, for the creation and broadcast of advertisements promoting a lowered consumption of meat, especially beef, lamb, and other red meats.
Section II) The funds for this program shall be allocated to each Southern state’s Department of Environmental Quality or equivalent.
Section III) Each state’s Department of Health and Human Services or equivalent shall work with that state’s Department of Environmental Quality or equivalent to compile information citing health and environmental benefits as a result of consuming less meat for use in the aforementioned advertisements.
Section IV) The method of advertisement shall include but shall not be limited to television advertisements, billboard advertisements, radio advertisements, and so on.
Section V) Upon the exhaustion of the aforementioned funds, Article II shall be null and void unless a law is passed renewing the fund in the same or a different amount.
Section VI) Article II shall take effect, with funds dispensed to the states, on December 1, 2019.

Article III
Section I) The Southern region shall not dispose of recyclable material by means of burning, disposal in landfills, or shipment to other regions or countries for the purpose of burning or disposal in landfills.
Section II) Article III shall take effect on January 1, 2020.

Article IV
Section I) The government of the Southern region shall end public contracts with corporations that continue to use plastic (including styrofoam) disposables, among them plastic straws, plastic cups, plastic bowls, plastic plates, styrofoam boxes, styrofoam trays, styrofoam containers, and plastic utensils.
Section II) Article IV shall take effect on May 1, 2020.

[West_Midlander]

Whereas: “Right-to-work” laws across the South greatly reduce the ability of workers of all creeds from seeking and securing the rights of sufficient pay, a decent working environment, just amounts of vacation time, and sick and parental leave.
 
As a result: I hereby introduce this legislation to the Chamber of Delegates.
 
The LABORER’s Act of 2017
Article I — The long title of this bill shall be “The Laborer’s Assurance Bill Offering Registration and Entrance into Regional & Federal Labor Unions Act”. The bill may be referred to as “The LABORER’s Act” or “The LABORER Act”.
Article II — “Right-to-work” laws are hereby defined for the purposes of this legislation to be any law that prohibits contracts requiring union membership as a condition for employment, between unions and employers.
Article III — So called, “right-to-work” laws currently in effect anywhere under Southern jurisdiction are hereby invalidated.
Article IV — No state, locality, or another level of government under the jurisdiction of the Southern Region shall enact a “right-to-work” law.
Article V — The Southern Region shall not enact a “right-to-work” law.
Article VI — Articles I, II, IV, and V shall go into effect immediately after the approval of this legislation. Article III shall go into effect on May 1, 2020.

[West_Midlander]

The Universal Self-Determination Act (The USD Act)
- Whereas the People's Republic of China has not fulfilled the 1997 Handover Agreement in allowing Hong Kongers to elect all of their legislators rather than reserving seats for business interests.
- Whereas Hong Kong does not receive an option for self-determination.
- Whereas Hong Kong does not receive the right to choose its own executive.
- Whereas Hong Kongers are being stripped of civil liberties that all people deserve.
Article I
Section I) One million dollars shall be dispensed to the states of the Southern region, according to the population of each, for the creation and broadcast of advertisements promoting the purchase of American-made goods and the deterrence of purchase of foreign-made, particularly Chinese-made goods.
Section II) The funds for this program shall be allocated to each Southern state’s Department of Commerce or equivalent.
Section III) The method of advertisement shall include but shall not be limited to television advertisements, billboard advertisements, radio advertisements, and so on.
Section IV) Upon the exhaustion of the aforementioned funds, Article I shall be null and void unless a law is passed renewing the fund in the same or a different amount.
Section V) Article I shall take effect, with funds dispensed to the states, on January 1, 2020.
Article II
It is the position of this chamber to object to the withdrawal of civil liberties, including the rights of public demonstration and assembly, of Hong Kongers by the government of that city, under undue influence from the People's Republic of China.
Article III
It is the position of this chamber to request that the People's Republic of China hold a status referendum in Hong Kong. This chamber also requests that such a referendum be legally binding if a majority of Hong Kong voters participate. This chamber requests that United Nations and Carter Center election observers be present to ensure a lack of voter intimidation in a completely free and fair referendum.
Article IV
It is also the request of this Chamber that the People's Republic of China honor the 1997 Handover agreement in allowing Hong Kong citizens to elect all of their legislators, as opposed to reserving a portion of seats for pro-PRC business interests. It is also the position of this chamber to request that the People's Republic of China (PRC) allow Hong Kong to elect its own executive without influence from the PRC. This chamber requests that Hong Kongers be able to determine their own future, even into 2047 and onward.
Article V
It is the position of this Chamber to request the Nyman government to enact a similar bill. It is the position of this Chamber to urge the Nyman government to seriously consider an end to CAFTA, most-favored-nation status with the PRC and the beginning of economic sanctions against the PRC due to the situation in Hong Kong.

[West_Midlander]

Standardizing Election Times Amendment

Section III, subsection 2 of the Constitution of the Southern Region is amended to read as follows:

2. The governor must be elected democratically by the people of The South. Elections are to be held every January, April, July and October February, June, and October for governor. The appropriate election administrator will open the voting booth at 12:00:00am EST of the penultimate Friday of the month and will close said booth the following Sunday at 11:59:59pm EST. The election administrator must accept any absentee ballot received no more than 168 hours prior to the opening of the polls.

Section IV, subsection 3 of the Constitution of the Southern Region is amended to read as follows:

3. Elections to the Southern Legislature shall take place once every January, April, July and October February, June, and October. The appropriate election administrator will open the voting booth at 12:00:00am EST of the penultimate Friday of the month, and will close said booth the following Sunday at 11:59:59pm EST. The election administrator must accept any absentee ballot received no more than one week prior to the opening of the polls.

Non-delegate (Federal Senator) Co-sponsor and Writer: MB
Sponsor: myself

[West_Midlander]

The New! Cis Tax Act v. 2.0
1. The annual tax form will include a question, asking if the tax-filer is cisgender, with an explanation as to what cisgender means.
2. If the cisgender box is selected, an additional tax will be applied to that citizen's tax bill.
        a. The tax rate under the "cis tax" will have the following brackets:
                0.01% for annual incomes up to $28,000
                0.03% for annual incomes above $28,000 and up to $56,000
                0.05% for annual incomes above $56,000 and up to $112,000
                0.10% for annual incomes above $112,000 and up to $250,000
                0.50% for annual incomes above $250,000 and up to $1,000,000
                1.00% for annual incomes above $1,000,000 and up to $2,000,000
                2.00% for annual incomes above $2,000,000 and up to $1,000,000,000
                5.00% for annual incomes above $1,000,000,000
        b. The "cis tax" will be a progressive tax so only the portion of income exceeding the relevant threshold(s) (if any) will be taxed at the higher rate.
        c. The tax rates listed in Article 2, Section b will be applicable for total household income, whether married or single.
3. The funds accumulated from this additional tax--the "cis tax", if you will--will go toward providing hormone replacement therapy for non-cisgender Atlasians.
        a. The proceeds raised from this tax will be provided to the Southern Department of Health and Human Services in order to provide hormone replacement therapy to non-cisgender Southern citizens on a first-come-first-serve basis.
        b. Verification of gender dysphoria by one psychologist is necessary to apply for free hormone replacement therapy.
4. This act will take effect on May 1, 2020.
Non-delegate (Attorney General) co-sponsor: Peebs
Sponsor: myself

Author: Peebs
Co-Author: myself

[West_Midlander]

Owners' Association Regulation Act

Be it enacted by the Southern Chamber of Delegates:

1.) An "owners' association" shall be defined as any private, non-governmental organization operating within a locality, subdivision, or neighborhood that manages homes and lots and regulates the activities of the owners of such lots.

2.) In any newly constructed residential subdivision, no new owners' association may be formed until all lots have been sold. Once all lots are sold, two-thirds of homeowners must vote to form an owners' association.

3.) Owners' associations may not regulate any portion of the property not directly visible from the street, or anything inside the house itself.

4.) Unless approved by the city or county in which it is situated, owners' associations may not fine homeowners any amount exceeding $10 for a single infraction.

5.) Owners' associations may not foreclose on any property for any reason, including unpaid fines or dues.

6.) Owners' associations may not prohibit freedom of speech, assembly, or expression within their jurisdiction.

7.) Homeowners shall reserve the right to opt-out of the owners' association, provided they give the association at least a thirty-days notice prior to withdrawing.

Author: MB

[West_Midlander]

Amendment to the Southern Energy Act

The original bill is below with changes shown.

Section 1: Title

This bill will be known as the Southern Energy Act


Section 2: Establishment of a Survey

1: Before a group or entity gets approval from the Southern Government, a survey of the land must be conducted.

2: This survey should indicate where the most opportune areas for energy resource extraction or the establishment of renewable energy with minimal disruption to the wildlife and ecosystem of an area.

3: Drilling on parks maintained by the Southern Government will be prohibited.

4:3: This survey will be conducted by a group of soil scientists, geologists, and other experts.

5:4: Additional surveys will also be held in regards to solar panel installation and wind turbine installation.

5: Drilling on parks and/or lands owned and/or maintained by the Southern Government will be prohibited.

6: The Government commissions the survey upon approval of a company or organization to drill.


Section 3: Oil and Gas Drilling

1: The Southern Government will hereby allow drilling on public lands owned and maintained by the Southern Government.

2: Any business or corporation that wishes to drill shall maintain federal safety standards.

3: Sites that are poorly maintained by companies or organizations are liable for any damage to lands and are subject to cleanup penalties.


Section 4:3: Renewable Energy

1: The Southern Government will hereby allow the establishment of solar panels, and wind turbines renewable energy systems to be placed in lands operated by the Southern Government.

2: The Southern Government will hold companies or organizations that wish to install these accountable to federal safety standards.


Section 5:4: Taxation

1: Companies that wish to operate on Southern land will receive an additional 2% tax on profits received from energy production on those lands.


Section 6:5: Contracts

1: The Governor of the South will have the power to approve any and all contracts having to do with energy companies on public lands. I: The Southern Chamber can block any contract with 2/3rds majority vote.


Section 7:6: Implementation

This bill will take effect immediately upon being signed into law.

[West_Midlander]

The Equality To Moscow Act (EMA)

Be it resolved by the Chamber of Delegates to recommend to the Nyman government further economic sanctions against the Russian Federation for that nation's treatment of the LGBT community, journalists and the press, women, and political opposition.

[West_Midlander]

The Saudi Justice Act (SJA)

Be it resolved by the Chamber of Delegates to recommend to Nyman to recognize Saudi Arabia as a terrorism-sponsoring state, to condemn its sexist and homophobic laws and to request that nation withdraw from military intervention in Yemen.

[West_Midlander]

The Armenian Genocide Resolution

Be it resolved by the Chamber of Delegates:

To recommend to the Nyman government to recognize the Armenian genocide and to request that the Republic of Turkey withdraw militarily from Syria completely. The Chamber also requests Nyman consider restoring the military patrol line along the Syria-Turkey border which had previously prevented the Turkish invasion of Syria.

EDIT: added a title

[West_Midlander]

The End-The-Yemeni-War Resolution

Be it resolved by the Chamber of Delegates:

To recommend to Nyman to consider ending US involvement in the Yemeni War in accordance with the War Powers Act.

EDIT: added a title

[West_Midlander]

Be it resolved by the Chamber of Delegates:

To recommend to Nyman to recognize the change in Bolivian leadership as a coup d'etat.

Withdrawing this bill.

A bill to this effect is on the floor of the Atlasian House.

[West_Midlander]

Amendment to the Gubernatorial Appointments Act

Section 2 will be removed from the bill.

Gubernatorial Appointments Act

1) The Governor can no longer appoint NPC's or non playable characters into positions that have to be nominated by the Executive.

2) Citizens of the Southern Region that have been nominated to a position by the Governor have to exceed 100 posts to be appointed into position that they have been nominated for.

[West_Midlander]

The Economic Freedom Act (EFA)

1. The Boycott Boycott Act will hereby be repealed.

[West_Midlander]

Southern Paygo Repeal Act

1. The Regional Statutory PAYASYOUGO Act is hereby repealed in full.

Authored by: MB

Withdrawn

[West_Midlander]

Amendment to the Gubernatorial Appointments Act

Section 2 will be removed from the bill.

Gubernatorial Appointments Act

1) The Governor can no longer appoint NPC's or non playable characters into positions that have to be nominated by the Executive.

2) Citizens of the Southern Region that have been nominated to a position by the Governor have to exceed 100 posts to be appointed into position that they have been nominated for.

The Economic Freedom Act (EFA)

1. The Boycott Boycott Act will hereby be repealed.

I would like to re-introduce these two bills for the current session.

FTR:

Legislation shall be considered by the legislature upon petition of the governor, any representative [Delegate] or two Southerners.

[West_Midlander]

The Equality in Sexual Education Act
     1. No school which receives funding from the Government of Atlasia or the Southern Region may exclude children who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender or children who are raised in a household by parents who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity of either the child or the parent(s). This does not apply to private schools that receive no funding from either the government of Atlasia or the Southern Region.
     2. All schools that receive funding from the Government of Atlasia or Southern Region must include LGBT sexual education in any health and sexual education course taught at the school, beginning in 6th Grade. The LGBT sexual education must be taught in the same manner that heterosexual sexual education is instructed, with a special focus on sexual transmitted infections and the HIV/AIDS crisis. This does not apply to private schools that receive no funding from either the government of Atlasia or the Southern Region.

Authored by: Leinad

Based on a federal bill written by Wulfric

Sponsor: myself

[West_Midlander]

Amendment to the Department of Infrastructure and Environment Act
-The Department of Infrastructure and Environment shall be denoted as DoIE throughout the following.

Be it enacted:

1.) The DoIE shall be financed by the Chamber of Delegates through the passing of the budget.

2.) The DoIE shall be led by a Secretary to be appointed by the Governor.

3.)2.) The DoIE shall be tasked with leading infrastructure and environmental projects as directed by law.

[West_Midlander]

The Southern Euthanasia Ban of 2020

Given that euthanasia has been delivered to those who are neither in terminal illness nor in pain.

Given that the weak and vulnerable in society should not feel pressure to kill themselves.

Given that euthanasia has been abused as a tool to eradicate undesirables in the past.

Be it resolved by the Chamber of Delegates:

Euthanasia is hereby banned throughout the South. No doctor or nurse may apply treatment with the primary intent of killing their patient. Doctors or nurses found liable for euthanasia, including passive euthanasia, shall be fined $50,000 for the first offense, and stripped of their license on the second offense. Further offenses will result in prosecution for murder in the first degree.
Based heavily on the Southern Ban on Euthanasia Act

[West_Midlander]

Amendment to the Southern Constitution, Article II: Bill of Rights

Whereas the right to bear arms should be included in the regional Constitution. Additionally, the right of this region to form and maintain a militia should be stated in the Southern Constitution.

To be added to the Southern Constitution, Article II: Bill of Rights

...

11. The Right To Bear Arms and of the Region to Form and Maintain a Militia — Being necessary to the security of a free region, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed. Also, a well regulated Militia may be formed and maintained by the Southern region.

...
Source, modified: The US Bill of Rights

Withdrawn because this is not needed as the provisions within are included under the expansion of the Right to Security in DeadPrez's Modifications to Article II: Bill of Rights. That amendment passed the Southern electorate by a wide margin last year. I was unaware of the updated language in the regional Bill of Rights because the wiki is out of date, but came across the bill today.

[West_Midlander]

I was waiting to propose a budget based on new calculations by the Comptroller General. However, the office of the Comptroller General had remained vacant for months, including my entire tenure as Governor. [Note: The Office is still vacant as Clyde, who was nominated yesterday, has to be confirmed by the Senate.] Without access to the spreadsheet for calculating the Southern budget, as I am not the CG, I don't believe I can do more in the interest of introducing a new budget for the region. As I am not the CG, I do not believe it would be within the bounds of this Office to attempt to calculate the cost of legislation passed throughout the past year and without access to the Southern government expense and revenue spreadsheet.

Thank you,

- Governor West_Midlander

Southern Budget Act
Section 1: This bill will hereby be known as the Southern Budget Act of 2020

Section 2: Spending and Appropriations
A: for the fiscal period beginning in March of 2020, the following departments will be funded at the following levels

* Pensions
Base: $68.00 Billion
Total: $68.00 Billion (100.00%)

* Healthcare
Base: $200.53 Billion
Jeb Stuart Act: $500,000
Raccoon Resistance Act: $20 Million
Doctors and Hospitals Act: $149 Million
Generic Spending: $190.00 Billion
Total: $190.17 Billion (100.00%)

* Education
Base: $120.00 Billion
Development of Foreign Language Programs in Schools Act: $10 Million
Young Athletes Act: $5 Million
School is Cool Act: $5 Million
Opidate Overdose Prevention Act: $2 Million
Teaching Incentives Act: $76 Million
Go South Young Man Act: $735 Million
Generic Spending: $105.00 Billion
Total: $105.83 Billion (100.00%)

* Defense
Base: $0.80 Billion
Total: $0.50 Billion (100.00%)

* Welfare
Base: $38.39 Billion
Prison Reform Act: $170 Million
Inmate Resources: $165 Million
Obsolete Crimes Deletion: $30 Million
Generic Spending: $30.39 Billion
Total: $30.76 Billion (100.00%)


* Protection/Security
Base: $28.00 Billion
Total: $30.00 Billion (100.00%)

* Transportation
Base: $70.20 Billion
Naval Infrastructure Spending Act: $8 Billion
Everglades Protection: $10 Million
Fast Act Amendments: $3 Million
Generic Spending: $40.00 Billion
Total: $48.01 Billion (100.00%)

* General Government
Base: $14.96 Billion
Rough Bulldog Act: $8,000
Sales Tax Exemption: $7.45 Million
Southern Tax Relief Credit: $860 Million
Tax-Exempt HSAs Act: $19 Million
Asset Seizure: $311 Million
Generic Spending: $9.96 Billion
Total: $11.16 Billion (100.00%)

* Discretionary
Base: $20.00 Billion
Total: $50.00 Billion (100.00%)

Total Regional Spending: $534.43 Billion

Section 3: Taxes and Revenue
A: For the fiscal period beginning in March 2020, taxes and revenues collected shall be the following:

* Income Tax
Base: $110.18 Billion
Corporate (5% Tax): $25.15 Billion
Total: $135.33 Billion

* Social Security
Base: $73.68 Billion
Total: $73.68 Billion (0% tax)

* Additional/Ad Valorem
Base: $223.75 Billion
Excise/Marijuana: $3.70 Billion per year (20% Tax)
Prison Reform Act: $ 22 Million per year
Animal Welfare Act Tokens: $360,000
Celebrating Southern Region Act: $3.2 Million
Opiate Overdose Prevention Act: $829 Million per year
Abortion-related Taxes: $13 Million per year
Online Lottery Act: $310 Million per year
Gambling Taxes: $1.3 Billion per year
Total: $229.93 Billion

* Fees and Charges
Base: $95.52 Billion
Real ID Compliance: $20 Million
Gambling Act: $505.5 Million per year
Better Skools Act: $18 Million
Ban Ban Ban Act: $21.5 Million
One More Year Act: $8 Million
Total: $96.09 Billion

* Business and Other Revenue
Base: $57.84 Billion
Total: $57.84 Billion (0% Tax)

Total regional revenue: $592.87 Billion
Reserves: $22.00 Billion
Balance: +$80.44 Billion

Section 4: Implementation
This bill will take effect immediately upon becoming law

- Slight amendment of the budget introduced by Gov. YoungTexan last year.
- 2019s changed to 2020.
- %s where spending by category was increased or decreased (last year) are changed to 100% as spending levels are maintained from last year*

*I don't think it would be responsible to increase or decrease spending without knowing if we still have a surplus after considering bills passed in the past year. I assume we still have a small, but reduced, surplus but I am unsure. The figures for the reserves and balance amount are from last year and other figures are in need of being updated once Clyde is confirmed as CG by the Senate.

If this bill is not yet on the Chamber floor, I will edit this post with Clyde's new figures if/when he is confirmed by the Senate. Otherwise, this bill can be amended on the Chamber floor to account for the new calculations.