HB 18-45: Party Naming Independence Act

[P. Clodius Pulcher did nothing wrong]

As Deputy Speaker I am managing introduction of legislation during Jimmy's leave of absence. Since I can't edit Jimmy's noticeboard OP myself, consider this bill as filling Slot 8.

PARTY NAMING INDEPENDENCE ACT

HOUSE BILL

to expand on established laws for the organization and operation of parties

Be it enacted by both houses of Congress assembled:

SECTION 1.

1. This Act may be cited as the “Party Naming Independence Act”.

SECTION 2.

F.L. 15-05, the Party Organization Act, is amended to read as follows:

1. a) If the membership of an organized political party, by vote of a quorum, which shall be a majority of all members of that party, decides that it wishes to change the name of that party, then the Registrar General shall, upon notification of the results by an officer of the party in question, change the official party membership of all members registered within that party to the new name approved by the party membership.
b) An organized political party may nullify this provision by placing an alternate system to change its name in it bylaws. Should the name be changed by said alternate system, the Registrar General shall, upon notification by an officer of the party in question, change the official party membership of all members registered within that party to the new name

2. No formal organized political party may use the registration "Independent", nor may any party change its name to one occupied by an existing party.

3. A party may, at its discretion as determined by individual bylaws, prohibit any candidate from appearing on the ballot with its official party name. This decision must be made and reported to the relevant election administrators at least 48 hours in advance of the start of the election.

4. Two or more parties may, with the approval of each of their chairs, reach a merger agreement between them which clearly indicates the name, leadership, and (provisional or permanent) bylaws of the resultant party. If the membership of each of the parties within the agreement, by vote of a quorum, which shall be a majority of all members of that party, decides to approve the agreement within 30 days of each other, then the Registrar General shall, upon notification of the results by an officer of the party in question, change the official party membership of all remaining members registered within that party to the name of the resultant party specified within the agreement.
        a) The name of the resultant party must adhere to Section 2.3, except that the resultant party may use the name of a party within the agreement.
        b) A party may revoke its assent to the agreement, provided at least one of the parties within the agreement has not yet given it, by a declaration of the chair, a second vote by the quorum, which shall be a majority of all members of the party, or by any other method specified by the party bylaws.

5. A party may, with the approval of its chair and subsequently by its membership by vote of a quorum, dissolve itself and merge into another party, provided the party it merges into has at least double its membership per the most recent Census and the chair of the larger party approves. Should the preceding take place, the Registrar General shall, upon notification of the results by an officer of the party in question, change the official party membership of all remaining members registered within the smaller party to the name of the larger party it joined.

5.6. No provision of this Act shall be construed to preclude any individual from choosing to revert to their previous registration if it is altered by one or more provisions of this Act.

Sponsor: MB
House designation: HB 18-45

[P. Clodius Pulcher did nothing wrong]

HB 18-45 is now on the House floor. Debate on this legislation has begun and shall last for no less than 72 hours.

[Sestak]

Uh, House?

[Dr. MB]

This bill gives more freedom to parties on changing their name, and also makes it easier for a smaller party to merge into a larger one without going through the process of all the members of the larger party voting.

[fhtagn]

Party members of the larger party deserve a say in whether or not another party merges with them. It should not be left to a decision by one person. I cannot support this.

[Esteemed Jimmy]

I support the current system regarding party naming and merging.

[Dr. MB]

Motioning for a final vote.

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Party members of the larger party deserve a say in whether or not another party merges with them. It should not be left to a decision by one person. I cannot support this.

However, as a means of freeing up a slot, I will let the final vote proceed

[Dr. MB]

Motioning for a final vote.

[YE]

It's never a good sign when a bill falls of the first page. Though I think this is pretty self-explanatory, you either support this or don't (I don't due to my overall weariness of party mergers/dissolutions/name changes). 

[YE]

Anyhow, opening a final vote here.

[YE]

Nay.

[Dr. MB]

Aye

[alancia]

Aye

[fhtagn]

Nay

[Coastal Elitist]

Nay

[lfromnj]

Party members of the larger party deserve a say in whether or not another party merges with them. It should not be left to a decision by one person. I cannot support this.

Nay for this

[JGibson]

NAY

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Nay

[fhtagn]

Bump.

[YE]

This has failed 2 to 6. Will update the rest of the threads later tonight but this is simple so doing it quickly lol.