H-17.13: Glasses are Good to See Act (Passed)

[P. Clodius Pulcher did nothing wrong]

SENATE BILL

to help people with sight problems get their much needed visual aids

Be it enacted by both houses of Congress assembled:

SECTION I: NAME.
1. This Act may be cited as the Glasses are Good to See Act.

SECTION II: BENEFICIARIES
1. All Atlasian citizens or permanent residents shall be elegible for this bill as long as they have one or more of the following visual problems:
a) Myopia lower than -0.5 dioptres
b) Hypermetropia higher than +0.5 dioptres
c) Astigmatism
d) Any other kind of visual problem where the most adequate solution is the use of glasses or contact lenses, as prescribed by an ophthalmologist

SECTION III: IMPLEMENTATION.
1. All beneficiaries described in Section II shall be given a $75 subsidy after they buy a new pair of glasses
2. No single beneificiary shall receive this subsidy more than once every 24 months.
3. This subsidy shall only be given to individuals living in households with annual earnings lower than 39200$ a year.

SECTION IV: COST
1. This bill shall be funded through the following new taxes:
a) A 5% tax on video game sales
b) A 5% tax on movie ticket sales
c) A 5% tax on TV sales
d) A 5% tax on the sale of PC desktops and laptops
e) A 5% tax on the sale of lightbulbs

SECTION V: TIMING
1. This Act shall take effect October 1st, 2019.

People's Regional Senate
Passed 4-0 in the Atlasian Senate Assembled,

Sponsor: JGibson (L-LN)
House designation: H-17.13

[P. Clodius Pulcher did nothing wrong]

Members, this bill needs a sponsor.

[JGibson]

I will take up the sponsorship reins of this bill.

[thumb21]

This bill overall is great, my only issue is the 5% tax on light bulbs. These are an essential item which I don't believe should be taxed as much. Its a fairly minor issue, but I think it should still be drawn to attention.

[P. Clodius Pulcher did nothing wrong]

JGibson has assumed sponsorship unless another member objects within 24 hours.

I agree with Rep. Thumb21. Surely removing the lightbulb tax wouldn't put a dent into the revenue of this bill.

[alancia]

I agree with Representatives Thumb21 and Razze in that, while this is a great bill, the lightbulb tax should be scrapped. Overall, it looks solid.

[JGibson]

As the sponsor of this bill, I rise to the floor to speak in favor of this bill's passage.  I echo the concerns about the lightbulb tax that puts a damper on an otherwise solid bill.

When we cast our votes, please make the educated decision to vote AYE!

[#TheShadowyAbyss]

As someone who has really bad astigmatism, this bill deeply connects with me, the costs of glasses is going up and providing a subsidy for those who need glasses is a great step in providing great care. My only concern about this bill is the 5% tax on lightbulbs, I find it unnecessary.

[thumb21]

The total cost of the bill is 4.901 billion.

The total revenue is 5.751 billion (including the lightbulb tax).

The light bulb tax generates 795 million.

This means we could entirely remove the lightbulb tax and still be in the green.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Here is an amendment.

SENATE BILL

to help people with sight problems get their much needed visual aids

Be it enacted by both houses of Congress assembled:

SECTION I: NAME.
1. This Act may be cited as the Glasses are Good to See Act.

SECTION II: BENEFICIARIES
1. All Atlasian citizens or permanent residents shall be elegible for this bill as long as they have one or more of the following visual problems:
a) Myopia lower than -0.5 dioptres
b) Hypermetropia higher than +0.5 dioptres
c) Astigmatism
d) Any other kind of visual problem where the most adequate solution is the use of glasses or contact lenses, as prescribed by an ophthalmologist

SECTION III: IMPLEMENTATION.
1. All beneficiaries described in Section II shall be given a $75 subsidy after they buy a new pair of glasses
2. No single beneificiary shall receive this subsidy more than once every 24 months.
3. This subsidy shall only be given to individuals living in households with annual earnings lower than 39200$ a year.

SECTION IV: COST
1. This bill shall be funded through the following new taxes:
a) A 5% tax on video game sales
b) A 5% tax on movie ticket sales
c) A 5% tax on TV sales
d) A 5% tax on the sale of PC desktops and laptops
e) A 5% tax on the sale of lightbulbs

SECTION V: TIMING
1. This Act shall take effect October 1st, 2019.

[P. Clodius Pulcher did nothing wrong]

Is Rep. LouisvilleThunder's amendment friendly to the sponsor?

[JGibson]

I will accept the amendment from LouisvilleThunder.

[thumb21]

Doesn't seem to be any more concerns!

Motion to final vote.

[JGibson]

I will second the motion for a final vote.

[thumb21]

bump

[P. Clodius Pulcher did nothing wrong]

A vote on this bill is open and will close after 72 hours. Members, please vote AYE, NAY, or ABSTAIN!

[F. Joe Haydn]

Aye

[JGibson]

AYE

[Coastal Elitist]

Aye

[alancia]

Aye

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Aye

[thumb21]

Aye

[CMB222]

Aye

[tmthforu94]

Sorry, I didn't catch that this was already heading to a final vote.

Just as a heads up, I am currently looking at alternate funding methods to be proposed in a redraft. There are also several concerns brought up during the Senate debate that didn't get addressed in this final version that I will attempt to correct. This bill passing is a result of us not having NPC's or lobbyists in this game with the tax implications this would create. I like the concept, but as written, it leaves open the potential for abuse. I also understand the logic behind taxing these items, but I don't think a technology tax (or information distribution tax) is the best route to go as we seek to continue leading the world in technological innovation.

[P. Clodius Pulcher did nothing wrong]

Aye