Legislation Introduction Thread

[Franzl]

Colombian Assistance and Stability Act:

1. The Republic of Atlasia is deeply concerned about the current situation in Colombia, and wished to provide monetary and military aid, in compliance with our responsibilities through the Global Treaty Organzation.

2. Atlasia will send 2500 soldiers to Colombia in order to help drive back FARC rebels and to serve in the event of an invasion of Colombia by outside forces.

3. Atlasia offers $250 million to be distributed at the discretion of the Department of External Affairs in order to maintain stability.

[tmthforu94]

Party Empowerment Act

1. Organized political parties shall have the power to regulate their membership, except where specifically denied by the Constitution or in statue.

2. In the event that a member of a party is removed by that party according to their bylaws, the chairman may notify the SoFA. The SoFA shall then remove the member from the party's list, and that member shall automatically become an Independant until they indicate otherwise.

3. An individual removed from a party may not rejoin that party unless the party has indicated, according to their bylaws, that said individual may rejoin and thirty days have passed since the removal was recorded by the SoFA.

[Marokai Backbeat]

Efficient Automobile Rebate System Act

Section 1: Rebates

1. An optional rebate of $4500-$5000 shall be given to consumers who purchase a compact automobile (car) with a rating of at least 29 miles to the gallon or more.

2. An optional rebate of $3500-$4000 shall be given to consumers who purchase a Sport Utility Vehicle or truck with a rating of at least 26 miles to the gallon or more.

3. The total amount of the rebate shall be determined by the amount of gas mileage to the gallon.

4. A total of $8 billion shall be appropriated to this program.

5. This program shall come to an end six months after being signed into law, or the depletion of the funds appropriated, whichever happens first.

Section 2: Eligibility

1. To qualify for the rebate outlined in Section 1, Clause 1, the consumer must have a car that is a model manufactured at least ten years ago, and gets no more than 21 miles to the gallon.

2. To qualify for the rebate outlined in Section 1, Clause 2, the consumer must have a Sport Utility Vehicle or truck that is a model manufactured at least ten years ago, and gets no more than 18 miles to the gallon.


Reasonable Minimum Wage Act

1. A federal minimum wage of $7.25 shall be established by the end of 2009, which shall increase .25 every 120 days until the rate of $8.50 is reached.

2. The minimum wage for inidividuals aged 18 and younger shall be established at $7.25 and shall increase .25 every 120 days until the rate of $8.00 is reached.

3. Once the minimum wage has reached their respective final values, they will be indexed to the rate of inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Adjustments based on inflation shall take place at the start of each fiscal year, but shall not decrease during deflationary periods.

4. Any employer found to be paying any of his employees below the minimum wage shall be sentenced to a prison term of up to five years, depending on the severity of the offense, and/or a fine of up to $20,000.


Internet Infrastructure and Access Expansion Act

Recognizing that too few Atlasians have access to high speed internet/broadband access in many areas of the country, the Senate authorizes the following to improve internet infrastructure and expand broadband access to all:

1. The Bureau of Internet Infrastructure (BII) is hereby established.

2. An additional $20 billion is appropriated for the cause of expanding broadband access to the funds previously authorized by the 2009 Atlasian Relief and Recovery Act.

3. The combined $50 billion shall be directed, specifically, towards laying fiber-optic cable and broadband towers throughout rural, mountain, and low population-density areas throughout Atlasia, with the goal of increasing broadband access to 90% of Atlasians in each state within 5 years. The Bureau of Internet Infrastructure (BII) shall oversee the construction, awarding of contracts, and distribution of funds.

4. The additional funds appropriated by this act shall also be offered as tax breaks for internet providers to expand access into rural areas of Atlasia.

5. Internet providers shall not charge more or discriminate against any individual if they live in rural, mountain, or low population-density areas.


Protection of Public Health Act

1. It shall be illegal for a person to smoke inside buildings and establishments open to the public, such as restaurants, public transportation, cinemas, and libraries.

2. If a person is found guilty of smoking in public areas, then that person shall be fined no less than a hundred dollars and no more than three hundred dollars.

3. Smoking inside buildings that are not open to the public, shall not be affected by the passage of this Act.

4. Any facility or establishment that earns at least 40% of it's annual gross revenue from the sale of alcohol or tobacco and paraphernalia for the smoking of tobacco may apply to the federal government for an exemption from Clause 1.

5. This Act shall not be interpreted as to overwrite or replace more strict regulation on public smoking instituted by the regions.


Bow Chicka Bow Wow Act

1. All individuals 14 years of age or older shall have the right to buy, possess, and view pornography depicting only persons of 18 years of age or older.


Home Energy Assistance Administration Act

Recognizing the great strain of heating and electricity bill costs on families, the upcoming winter, and the economic downturn, the Senate authorizes the following for the relief of needy Atlasians:

Section 1: Establishment

1. The Home Energy Assistance Administration (HEAA) is hereby established.

2. The Home Energy Assistance Administration (HEAA) shall be responsible for assisting needy Atlasian families with the costs of heating and electricity bills and distributing and installing home insulation at an affordable price.

Section 2: Eligibility & Limitations

1. Families making less than $15,000 annually shall be eligible to apply for 90% compensation of monthly home energy and electricity costs.

2. Families making $15,001 - $20,000 annually shall be eligible to apply for 70% compensation of monthly home energy and electricity costs.

3. Families making $20,001 - $25,000 annually shall be eligible to apply for 50% compensation of monthly home energy and electricity costs.

3. No family shall continue to recieve financial assistance from the Home Energy Assistance Administration for more than 6 months, consecutively, with at least three months separating the recieving of assistance.

4. No family shall recieve assistance from the Home Energy Assistance Administration for more than a total of 5 years.

[afleitch]

The 'Merton Rule' Act

All new non residential developments above a threshold of 1,000sqm will be expected to incorporate renewable energy production equipment to provide at least 10% of predicted energy requirements unless the citing of such equipment for technical reasons makes the development unviable.

[Franzl]

Air Passenger Protection Act:

1. No passenger may be required to remain in an aircraft on the ground at the point of departure for longer than 3 hours. If a departing aircraft is delayed for longer than 3 hours, all passengers must be given the opportunity to leave the aircraft until at most 30 minutes before estimated delayed departure.

2. Any airline in violation of said rule shall pay any passengers held against their will $1000 in cash.

3. Passengers delayed for greater than 4 hours, regardless of location, shall be compensated with $150, or 25% of the cost of the ticket, whichever is smaller.

4. Passengers delayed for greater than 4 hours shall be provided food vouchers every 6 hours worth at least $10.

5. Passengers of flights estimated to be delayed from before midnight until after 6am shall be provided with lodging if lodging within 10 miles of the airport is available.

6. Violations of any part of this act will be punished with a $1000 fine per passenger, payable to Atlasia.

[Franzl]

Atlasian national DUI bill:

1.) It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle on public roads with a BAC of greater than 0.05%. Violations of this will result in a $2000 fine.

2.) Regions shall be permitted to legislate stricter alcohol limits and penalties, including loss of license and greater fines.

3.) Persons convicted of DUI under regional laws shall not owe a federal fine if the monetary penalty in their particular region is greater than the federal penalty. If the regional penalty is lower than $2,000, then the difference between $2,000 and the regional penalty shall be owed to Atlasia.

[Hash]

Global Treaty Organization Expansion Bill 2

1. The Senate hereby approves the expansion of the Global Treaty Organization (GTO) treaty entered into on July 17, 2006 with the Governments of Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Germany, India, Japan, South Africa, and the United Kingdom to include the Governments of Canada, Chile, the remaining member states of the European Union, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway and South Korea if the legislatures of these respective nations ratify the offer and if the current members of the GTO ratify the adhesion of these nations as per the rule expressed in in Article 11, Clause 2 of the Global Treaty Organization formation treaty.

2. The President and other officers of the Atlasian Government shall take such actions, and enforce such regulations, as may be necessary to implement the provisions of the treaty with these new member countries.

3. This Act shall have effect only with respect to those countries which have ratified or approved the treaty, and which continue to comply with its provisions.

[Fritz]

Clean Energy Act

1. Atlasia shall subsidise all public utilities operating on sources of energy that are clean and renewable, such as wind, solar, hydroelectric, and nuclear power.  Any loss incurred by a conversion to and/or operation of clean energy utilities will be compensated by the federal government.

2. All public utilities will be required to convert at least 50% of their operation to clean energy sources over the next ten years.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Emergency Credit Access Act

Section 1: Small Business
       
Clause 1. Any business making less then $750,000 annually shall be classified as a small Business for the the purposes of this act.

Clause 2. $75 Billion dollars in revolving lines of credit of up to $100,000 monthly shall be made available through the Small Business Administration to existing small busineses for the purpose of making payroll and buying inventory. Interest rates shall not exceed 4% compounded annually.

Clause 3. $50 Billion shall be made available through the Small Business Administration to people looking to start a new small business. Interest rates shall not exceed 4% compounded annually.


Section 2: Home Buyers and Home Refinancing

Clause 1. $75 Billion is to be made available through the Federal Housing Administration to prospective homebuyers. Prospective applicants must of an income that would make the monthly payment 50% or less of that person's monthly income, an average credit score(700's or higher), and must be able to put at least 5% down. Interest rates must be fixed and can't exceed 2% APR. The home price must be equal to or less then $200,000.

Clause 2. $75 Billion is to be made available through FHA to allow homeowners with variable rate morgages or fixed rated mortgages of 5% or higher to refinance. The monthly payment may not exceed 50% of the home owners income. Interest rates must be fixed and can't exceed 2% APR. 

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Introduced for Bacon King.

[afleitch]

Cabinet Restructuring Act 2009

Pre-amble

The Senate recognises the recent legislative changes that have taken place and the potential effects and opportunities therein.

Section 1.
a. The post of Secretary for Health and Social Affairs is therefore established to be filled in accordance with existing Senate procedure.
b. The Secretary for Health and Social Affairs shall be responsible for the following portfolios; Health, Education, Welfare and Housing and in addition any other briefs conferred upon the Secretary by the President.

Section 2.
a. The post of Secretary of the Treasury is therefore established to be filled in accordance with existing Senate procedure.
b. The Secretary of the Treasury shall be responsible for the following portfolios; Taxation, Social Security, budgetary concerns and in addition any other briefs conferred upon the Secretary by the President.
c. The Secretary of the Treasury shall, with the assistance of the Game Moderator, be required to address the Senate once each session on the state of the economy and public expenditure.

[Hash]

Amendment to the OSPR regarding Parliamentary Behaviour

Article 8; Senate Behaviour is hereby added to the OSPR and subsequent sections re-numbered accordingly.

Article 8: Senate Behaviour is to read as follows:

Improper behaviour and the use of unparliamentary language by Senators is hereby forbidden in all Senate debates and votes.

Section 1: Improper Behaviour

1. Improper behavior is defined as personal attacks on other Senators, blatantly false accusations, and lewd conduct.
2. Improper behavior during legislative debate in the Senate shall result in suspension from that chamber at the PPT's request.
3. The conditions of the suspension shall be determined at the PPT's discretion.
4. Following the PPT's decision on the matter, atleast three other Senators must then sign a certification of suspension from the chamber.

Section 2: Unparliamentary language

1. The words 'liar', 'asshole', 'jerk', 'pig', 'swine', 'coward' and 'traitor' are hereby considered to be unparliamentary language and shall not be used in any Senate debates and votes.
2. Use of the aforementioned words by a Senator shall result in a reminder of parliamentary etiquette by the PPT.
3. Further breaches of the terms in this Section by a Senator shall result in consequences to be determined by the PPT at such time.
4. Additional words can be added or words can be removed from the above list at any time by any Senator.

[Hash]

Emergency Resolution authorizing Use of Force against Terrorists

1. The Senate hereby authorizes the use of Atlasian military forces against the terrorist organization called Anti-Imperial Army of America (AIAA).

[afleitch]

Welfare Reform Bill 2009

Section 1

Atlasians receiving public assistance will be allotted a three year maximum with the following exceptions:
• a. Disability
• b. Perpetual care of dependent
• c. Those undertaking vocational training, who shall be allowed a four year maximum

Beyond the maximum any capable Atlasian on public assistance and not currently working following the end of their  max shall be required to do 10 hours of community service per week in order to retain public assistance.

Section 2

Those on public assistance shall be required to undertake a minimum of 3 hours of job searching and/or interviews, or apply at least 3 place per week, or they shall be eligible to undertake a vocational training course (either college or work-based or a combination of the two) of 30 hours per week. In addition, for the first two weeks on public assistance they shall be required to take at least 2 hrs training per week in resume building and interview preparedness, etc

Section 3

Any able-bodied Atlasian on public assistance and not currently working, who express an interest in a vocational training course, must specify the occupation or skill in which they wish to train which will be permitted providing the course does not exceed three years maximum in duration

Section 4

a. Any person who is unemployed has a right to seek employment through private and voluntary third sector organisations involved in organising and running 'back to work' programmes.

b. Job seekers can choose to register with a third sector employment provider if government services have been unsuccessful in helping them find work after six weeks of registered unemployment.

c. Government employment providers may contract third sector employment providers by competitive tender to provide skills training, assistance and work placements.

d. The rights of individuals to seek government assistance or intervention at any stage of 'back to work' programmes shall be upheld.

Section 5

An initial amount of $1.5bn shall be appropriated from the Department of the Treasury (Labor Sub-Department) in the Fiscal Year 2009 to provide funding for such vocational training, as specified in Clause Three. The Senate will review this funding on an annual basis and set it at an amount at which it may deem appropriate.

----

Made changes to the vetoed bill, pulled housing assistance from the criteria and reduced penalties. Made voluntary service compulsory only after they pass their max.

[Rowan]

Right To Life Bill

1. This bill shall make it illegal for any woman to have an abortion that results in the termination of a pregnancy.

2. Any woman discovered to have had an illegal abortion, shall be subjected to up to a $10,000 fine and/or 3 years in jail.

3. Any doctor known to have performed said illegal abortion, shall immediately have his/her license revoked, be barred from practicing medicine for life, and face a $20,000 fine and/or 5 years in jail.

[Marokai Backbeat]

Student Loan Reformation Act

1. The Bureau of Student Finance (BSF) is hereby established.

2. The Bureau of Student Finance (BSF) shall directly provide loans to all eligible students for the purposes of covering college education costs.

3. All subsidies given to, and any public-private partnership held with, any private banking or lending institution for the purpose of student loans shall be ended by January 1st, 2010.

4. The appropriated money previously set aside for the subsidies shall thereafter be redirected to the student loan program managed by the BSF.

[Rowan]

Voting Reform Bill of 2009

1. A person is not eligible to become a registered member of Atlasia until they have been a member of the Atlas Forum proper for 6 months.

2. All current registered members of Atlasia will not be affected by this change.

[Hash]

Regional & Local Fiscal Relief Act

1. The $100 billion to be distributed by region as per Section 4 (a.) of F.L. 32-13 (2009 Atlasian Relief and Recovery Act) is to be distributed between the regions as follows on the basis of budget severity and unemployment rates:
a. $30 billion to the Mideast
b. $22 billion to the Pacific
c. $22 billion to the Southeast
d. $15 billion to the Midwest
e. $11 billion to the Northeast

2. The Regional Legislatures of the various regions shall be responsible for the allocation and distribution of funds allocated to their regions.

3. Upon the event of a Region rejecting funds outlined under the 2009 Atlasian Economic Relief and Recovery Act and the Regional & Local Fiscal Relief Act, the federal government itself shall, where possible, conduct or fund infrastructure projects independent of the regional government, and distribute the rejected funds specifically for that region equally among the remaining regions.

[Fritz]

Teenage Liberation Act

All laws containing an age requirement or limit between the ages of 15 and 21 shall have that requirement or limit changed to the age of 14.

[afleitch]

Decentralisation of Currency Act

The Senate recognises that the Dollar is the sole legal tender of the Republic of Atlasia.

Section 1.

The Senate grants to all commercial and retail banks headquartered in Atlasia the right to issue promissory bank notes.

Section 2

a. It shall be lawful for every such bank to issue it's own bank notes to the extent of the amount certified by the Treasury to be held in that banks reserve, but not to any further extent; and it shall not be lawful for any bank to make or issue bank notes without certification from the Treasury.
b. Certification of the reserve of each bank shall be conducted on the 15th of each month by the Treasury.
c. All currency notes issued under this Act shall, for the purpose of the enactments relating to bank notes and the issue thereof be deemed to be bank notes, and the bank shall be liable in respect thereof accordingly.
d. All issued banknotes shall be deemed to be acceptable and exchangeable tender throughout the Republic of Atlasia.

Section 3

a. If any two or more banks have by written contract or agreement become united subsequently to the passing of this Act, it shall be lawful for the Treasury, to certify the aggregate of the amount of bank notes which such separate banks were previously authorized to issue under the separate certificates previously granted to them, and be deemed to be the limit of the amount of bank notes which such united bank may have in circulation.
b. It shall be the responsibility of the united bank to withdraw and replace the notes of the predecessor banks from circulation.

[tmthforu94]

The Strategic Registration Amendment

1. Article V, Section 2, Clause 7 is hereby amended to read: "Persons may only change their State of registration once every 180 days."

[Hash]

Voting Reform Amendment

1. Clause 2 of the 27th Amendment to the Constitution is amended to read the following:
2. Each account must be at least 25 days old before registering to vote.

2. All current registered members of Atlasia will not be affected by this change.

[afleitch]

Public Housing Bill

Section 1:  Public Housing Capital Fund:

a. The Senate shall set aside $5 billion of funding to be used for capital activities and investment for public housing agencies.
b. Public housing agencies shall be charged with

Section 2: Community Development Fund:

The Senate shall set aside $1 billion in funding to improve energy efficiency in aging public housing stock.*

*If not already adressed in Home Energy Assistance Administration Act.

Section 3: Neighborhood Stabilisation Program:

The Senate shall set aside $2 billion in appropriations to assist with the redevelopment of abandoned and foreclosed homes to arrest neighbourhood decline.

Section 4: Homeless Prevention:

The Senate shall set aside $500 million in funding that shall be sent to regional governments and private non-profit organizations re-housing activities and for the homeless.

[Franzl]

Introduced on behalf of Ebowed:

Private Prison Bill

1. No federal money may be distributed to any privately owned and operated prisons.

[Fritz]

Vice-Presidential Election Amendment

The election to the office of Vice-President shall be a distinct and seperate election from that of the President, although the elections for both offices will occur simultaneously.