Legislation Introduction Thread

[TJ in Oregon]

Abolition of Senate Committees Resolution

A resolution to end the standing committee system.

All current standing committees are abolished and Article 7 of the Senate Rules is amended as follows:

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[Napoleon]

DDT Ban Act

F.L. 6-2: DDT Re-Introduction Act is hereby repealed.

[Gass3268]

I'll be assuming the sponsorship of Kalwejt Judicial Tenure Amendment

[Gass3268]

A BILL

To amend the Internal Revenue Code to provide a basic income guarantee in the form of a refundable tax credit for taxpayers who do not itemize deductions.

I. Basic Income Guarantee

1. The following annual basic income guarantee amount shall be allowed as a credit against federal income taxes imposed on an individual: (a) $10,000 for the taxpayer; (b) $10,000 for the spouse of the taxpayer; and (c) $2,000 for each dependent of the taxpayer (up to three)

2. This credit shall be allowed only if the taxpayer does not claim itemized deductions on his or her tax return.

3. The dollar amount of each credit shall be adjusted annually according to the Atlasian Chained Consumer Price Index

[Gass3268]

Political Party Organization Amendment

Article V, Section 1, Clause 7 of the Constitution is hereby repealed and Article V of the Constitution is hereby amended to add the following section:
"Section 3: Political Parties
"1. Any political party of ten or more members shall be classified as an organized political party.
"2. A political party with fewer than ten members shall also be classified as an organized political party if it meets or exceeds a conditional threshold of membership and submits to the Registrar General documentation demonstrating its organization. The conditional threshold for major party status shall be set at three members unless otherwise defined by statute. Guidelines for the demonstration of party organization shall be set by the Registrar General.
"3. Should a political party with ten or more members fall below ten members but not below the conditional threshold for organized party status, it shall not be required to provide documentation in order to maintain its organized party status unless such documentation is specifically requested by the Registrar General."

[Napoleon]

Hiring Incentives Act: Take Three

1. Any business with 200 employees or less in total shall be eligible for a $4,000 tax credit for each new individual they hire, provided the term of employment exceeds one year.
2. Any business that hires an individual that has been out of work for 30+ days will be exempt from paying Social Security payroll taxes on that employee, provided the term of employment exceeds one year.
3. The distribution of these tax credits shall be the responsibility of the Department of Internal Affairs, who shall also have the discretion to deny any application for the tax credits that he deems to be an abuse of this bill's intentions.
4. The effects of this legislation shall expire one year after passage.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

OSPR, Article III, Section I

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Just a friendly warning.

[Napoleon]

I think he mistook this for the Northeast thread.

[TNF]

Death with Dignity Act

1. Terminally ill, competent, adult residents of the Republic of Atlasia medically predicted to die within six months shall have the right to request and self-administer lethal medication prescribed by a licensed physician.
2. Those requesting lethal medication shall be required to present one written and two oral requests for said medication. The patient in question shall be required to have a diagnosis of terminal illness and be judged competent by no less than two licensed physicians, as well as required to observe a waiting period, and a physician verification of an informed patient decision.
3. Physicians and patients acting in good faith, that is, acting within the parameters of this legislation, shall have criminal and civil immunity for actions undertaken.
4. There shall be a 15 day waiting period between the first oral request and a written request; there shall be a 48 hour waiting period between the written request and the writing of the prescription.
5. Written requests for lethal medication must be signed by two independent witnesses, at least one of whom is not related to the patient or employed by the health care facility in question.
6. Patients may change their mind at any time and rescind the request.
7. The attending physician may sign the patient's death certificate which must list the underlying terminal disease as the cause of death.
8. The cost of all lethal medications shall be covered under the provisions of the Atlasian National Health Program.

[Earthling]

I have no idea what you are talking about....

[TNF]

Atlasian Lottery Act

1. The Republic of Atlasia shall establish an Atlasian Lottery effective January 1, 2014.
2. The Atlasian Lottery shall integrate existing regional, state, and municipal lotteries within it's parameters effective January 1, 2014, with the process of vertical integration into the single national lottery beginning upon the passage of this legislation.
3. The rules of the Atlasian Lottery shall be established as follows:
    a. To participate in the Atlasian Lottery, the bettor shall purchase a ticket backed by an Atlasian savings bond. The serial number on the bond in question shall serve as the ticket number.
    b. Should the bettor purchase a 'losing' ticket, he or she shall nevertheless be entitled to collect the full or partial value of the purchased savings bond backing the ticket he or she purchased.

[TNF]

Checks and Balances Amendment

1. The Senate of Atlasia shall have the ability to override a decision of the Supreme Court by two-thirds vote.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I think he mistook this for the Northeast thread.

I know, but I figured it would be more appropriate to communicate that via PM, which I did, whilst just posting the rules in here.

Besides I don't even know if there are any statutes proscribing a penalty for such at this juncture. Don't really need them, as just the possibility is enough to cut down on the clutter fairly well.

[Napoleon]

Comprehensive Campaign Finance Reform Act

Section 1: Disclosure of Donors

1. All political action committees are required to disclose the identities of the following donors to the public, including the total value of the donations:
a. corporations
b. labor unions
c. churches and other religious organizations
d. other political action committees
e. political parties and related organizations
f. individual donors contributing a total donation value in excess of $20,000

2. All candidates for federal office are required to disclose the identities of the following donors to the public, including the total value of the donations:
a. corporations
b. labor unions
c. churches and other religious organizations
d. other political action committees
e. political parties and related organizations
f. individual donors contributing a total donation value in excess of $20,000

3. The Department of Federal Elections shall be responsible for enforcing this portion of the act.
a. Violators may be levied a fine no greater than two times the amount of the undisclosed donation

Section 2: Public Campaign Financing

1. The Department of Federal Elections shall established qualifications to determine which candidates for federal office are eligible to receive public campaign financing.
a. Qualifying candidates for Class A Senate elections are entitled to $8 million of public campaign financing.
b. Qualifying candidates for Class B Senate elections are entitled to $12 million of public campaign financing.
c. Qualifying candidates for the Presidency and Vice Presidency are entitled to $100 million of public campaign financing.

2. The Department of Federal Elections may raise or lower the amount of public campaign financing available, subject to clearance by the Government Oversight and Reform Standing Committee.

3. Qualifying candidates that choose to use public campaign financing shall be prohibited from receiving campaign contributions from private donors.
a. Qualifying candidates shall be allowed to return their public campaign financing and collect private contributions instead at any point up until 30 days before the election the candidate is running in is scheduled to take place.

4. Qualifying candidates that choose not to use public campaign financing may receive campaign contributions from private donors in accordance with the disclosure rules established in Section 1 of this act.

5. Total campaign contribution collections shall be capped at $250 million.
a. The Department of Federal Elections may raise or lower the amount of total campaign contribution collections, subject to clearance by the Government Oversight and Reform Standing Committee.

Section 3: Campaign Access

1. Any television channel, radio station or other such broadcaster must allow equal access to political advertisers at equal cost.
a. Violations of this provision may result in a fine no greater than $10 million.
b. This section is not to be construed as regulating or restricting the content of media broadcast and news coverage in any way.

2. At no point shall political advertising on the Atlasian National Broadcaster exceed 20% of advertising content.

[Gass3268]

I will be sponsoring the foreign policy review that will be released soon.

[Gass3268]

Department of External Affairs: July 2013 Foreign Policy Review

Definitions of the DoEA's Foreign Policy Review

Economic/Trade Restrictions:

Most Priority: Free exchange of intelligence and trade, as well as top priorities for military and/or economic aid if needed

Normal/None: Atlasian government and corporations are free to due business unhindered by government enforced restrictions.

Partial: Specific restrictions such as selective tariffs or partial embargoes are to be in place to attack the government and not the regime. Foreign aid can be granted if the regime shows signs of progress towards democracy.

Full: Complete embargo and trade is forbidden with the nation in question. Corporations in violation may face fines decided by the Senate.

Military Restrictions:

Normal/None: Any military hardware produced by private firms, or by the government of Atlasia may be sold to the government in question. However, nuclear material, technology and nuclear weapons may not be sold unless the Senate agrees with the sale of atomic technology to the nation in question.

Partial: Personnel weapons may be sold by private corporations or the state to the country in question. Personnel weapons are weapons, which are carried and operated by one man, i.e. assault rifles, mortars, RPGs, etc. No vehicles, armour, aircraft, or ships may be sold.

Full: No military equipment of any nature may be sold privately or by Atlasia, i.e. no uniforms, guns, vehicles, nothing.

DoEA Policy: The Americas

Antigua and Barbuda: Normal
Argentina: Normal
Bahamas: Normal military relations and partial economic restrictions. We are concerned about The Bahamas’s role as a tax haven.
Barbados: Normal
Belize: Normal
Bolivia: Normal, although we have concerns regarding corruption and human rights.
Brazil: Most Priority
Canada: Most Priority
Chile: Normal.
Colombia: Normal, although we are deeply concerned about political instability and human rights.
Costa Rica: Normal
Cuba: Normal. Atlasian policy regarding Cuba is currently F.L. 18-6, Cuban Relations Act.
Dominica: Normal
Dominican Republic: Normal
Ecuador: Normal
El Salvador: Normal
Grenada: Normal
Guatemala: Normal
Guyana: Normal
Haiti: Normal, though we have concerns regarding corruption and political instability.
Honduras: Normal
Jamaica: Normal
Mexico: Most Priority, although we have serious concerns about the drug warlords conflict.
Nicaragua: Normal
Panama: Normal
Paraguay: Normal
Peru: Normal
Saint Kitts and Nevis: Normal
Saint Lucia: Normal
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Normal
Suriname: Normal
Trinidad and Tobago: Normal
Uruguay: Normal
Venezuela: Normal

DoEA Policy: Europe

Albania: Normal
Andorra: Normal
Armenia: Normal
Austria: Normal
Azerbaijan: Full military and economic restrictions until free elections are held, civil liberties respected and transparency is restored.
Belarus: Full military and economic restrictions until free elections are held and civil liberties respected.
Belgium: Normal
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Normal
Bulgaria: Normal
Croatia: Normal
Czech Republic: Normal
Cyprus: Partial economic restrictions; we are concerned about Cyprus's role as a tax haven.
Denmark: Normal
Estonia: Normal
Finland: Normal
France: Most Priority
Georgia: Partial Military and economic Restrictions. We have concerns over civil liberties and other issues within the area.
Germany: Most Priority
Greece: Normal. We have concerns over Greece's economic situation.
Hungary: Normal, though we have concerns regarding political freedom.
Iceland: Normal
Ireland: Normal
Italy: Normal, though we have concerns about corruption.
Kosovo: Partial military and economic restrictions; we are concerned with political freedoms and civil liberties.
Latvia: Normal
Liechtenstein: Normal; we call for a complete transition to democracy and full transparency in banking, and Atlasia has signed a treaty to assist the nation in the latter regard.
Lithuania: Normal
Luxembourg: Normal
Macedonia: Normal, although we have concerns about corruption, ethnic minorities and relations with Greece.
Moldova: Full military and partial economic restrictions. We have serious concerns about corruption, political instability, drug trafficking and the Transnistria issue.
Monaco: Normal military restrictions and partial economic restrictions. We are concerned about Monaco’s role as a tax haven.
Montenegro: Normal
Netherlands: Normal
Norway: Normal
Poland: Normal
Portugal: Normal. We have concerns over Portugal's economic situation.
Romania: Normal
Russia: Partial military and economic restrictions. We have serious concerns about democracy, civil liberties, press freedom and the situation in Chechnya and the Russian Caucasus.
San Marino: Normal
Serbia: Normal
Slovakia: Normal, though we have some concerns about worrying nationalist trends in the country and their negative effect on internal and external ethnic relations.
Slovenia: Normal
Spain: Normal. We have concern over Spain's economic situation.
Sweden: Normal
Switzerland: Partial economic restrictions; we call for full transparency in banking.
Turkey: Partial military and economic restrictions. Concerns remain about treatment of Kurds, the increasing trend away from secularism, and political instability.
Ukraine: Normal, but we have concerns regarding current political stability, corruption, and various other problems.
United Kingdom: Most Priority
Vatican City: Normal

[Gass3268]

Department of External Affairs: July 2013 Foreign Policy Review

Definitions of the DoEA's Foreign Policy Review

Economic/Trade Restrictions:

Most Priority: Free exchange of intelligence and trade, as well as top priorities for military and/or economic aid if needed

Normal/None: Atlasian government and corporations are free to due business unhindered by government enforced restrictions.

Partial: Specific restrictions such as selective tariffs or partial embargoes are to be in place to pressure the government to change course, not to change the regime itself. Foreign aid can be granted if the regime shows signs of progress towards democracy.

Full: Complete embargo and trade is forbidden with the nation in question. Corporations in violation may face fines decided by the Senate.

Military Restrictions:

Normal/None: Any military hardware produced by private firms, or by the government of Atlasia may be sold to the government in question. However, nuclear material, technology and nuclear weapons may not be sold unless the Senate agrees with the sale of atomic technology to the nation in question.

Partial: Personnel weapons may be sold by private corporations or the state to the country in question. Personnel weapons are weapons, which are carried and operated by one man, i.e. assault rifles, mortars, RPGs, etc. No vehicles, armour, aircraft, or ships may be sold.

Full: No military equipment of any nature may be sold privately or by Atlasia, i.e. no uniforms, guns, vehicles, nothing.

DoEA Policy: Asia and Oceania

Afghanistan: Partial military and economic restrictions, though we are concerned about corruption, drugs, woman's rights and other issues, plus the government’s apparent hostility to Atlasian interests.
Australia: Most Priority, although we encourage the government to take a more relaxed stance on asylum seekers.
Bahrain: Full military and no economic restrictions.  The Atlasian Government strongly condemns the measures taken against protesters in Bahrain.
Bangladesh: Normal military and partial economic restrictions. We are extremely concerned about workers’ rights.
Bhutan: Normal
Brunei: Partial military and partial economic restrictions
Burma (Myanmar): Partial military and no economic restrictions.  The DoEA applauds the Government for beginning to make the transition towards democracy, and hopes to see such progress continue.
Cambodia: Normal, though we are concerned about corruption and civil liberties.
China: Partial military restrictions and no economic restrictions, though we are very concerned over human rights, and political liberties. We encourage the Chinese government to grant independence to Tibet.
East Timor: Normal
Federated States of Micronesia: Normal
Fiji: Full military and partial economic restrictions.
Gaza Strip: Full military and partial economic restrictions. We are concerned about acts of terrorism against Israel committed by the Hamas and the human rights situation.
India: Most Priority
Indonesia: Most Priority
Iran: Full military and economic restrictions will remain in place until the Iranian regime makes full, honest and lasting overtures to democracy, as well as fully renouncing any attempt at a nuclear program. We are currently in peace talks with Iran. We are pleased with the recent democratic elections held. Status pending.
Iraq: Normal, though we have major concerns about corruption and other issues.
Israel: Full military and no economic restrictions; the DoEA urges Israel to begin to negotiate in earnest with Atlasia and stop persecution of the Palestinian peoples, at which time Most Priority will be granted.
Japan: Most Priority
Jordan: Normal, though we want a full transfer to democracy.
Kazakhstan: Partial military and no economic restrictions. We want a full transfer to democracy.
Kiribati: Normal
Kuwait: Full military restrictions and partial economic restrictions. We are concerned by a lack of regard for human rights and democracy.
Kyrgyzstan: Partial military and no economic restrictions
Laos: Normal, though we have concerns about human rights and basic freedoms.
Lebanon: Full military and no economic restrictions.
Malaysia: Partial military and no economic restrictions.
Maldives: Normal
Marshall Islands: Normal
Mongolia: Normal
Nauru: Normal
Nepal: Normal
New Zealand: Most Priority
North Korea: Full military and economic restrictions
Oman: Full military and partial economic restrictions. We are concerned by a lack of regard for human rights and democracy.
Pakistan: Full military and partial economic restrictions; we are extremely concerned about the apparent role of the ISI in harboring terrorists and the corruption rampant within the Pakistani military. We are displeased with the lack of protection for religious minorities as well.
Palau: Normal
Papua New Guinea: Normal
Philippines: Normal
Qatar: Full military and partial economic restrictions. We want a full transfer to democracy, and are concerned with the human rights situation, especially trafficking.
Samoa: Normal
Saudi Arabia: Full military and partial economic restrictions. We are concerned about the human rights situation and urge the government to make major democratic reforms. If the human rights situation does not improve, more restrictions may follow.
Singapore: Normal, though we would like a true democracy.
Solomon Islands: Normal
South Korea: Normal
Sri Lanka: Normal, though we are concerned about a few issues. We urge the government to build a modern, peaceful, democratic and multi-ethnic state with peaceful ethnic relations in the wake of the end of the civil war.
Syria: Full military and economic restrictions.  The regime of Bashar al-Assad has committed significant human rights violations against its people, and it is time for Mr. Assad to accept the will of his people and resign his position and allow Syria to become a democratic state.
Tajikistan: Full military and economic restrictions
Thailand: Normal, although we are concerned about political freedoms.
Tonga: Normal
Turkmenistan: Full military and economic restrictions
Tuvalu: Normal
United Arab Emirates: Full military and partial economic restrictions. We are concerned about workers rights and political freedoms.
Uzbekistan: Full military and economic restrictions
Vanuatu: Normal
Vietnam: Normal
West Bank: Normal. We are concerned about the current political situation, support a two state solution and would, in the near future, like a democratic and independent State of Palestine. As stated above, we hope that the Palestinians will come to negotiate in earnest.

[Gass3268]

Department of External Affairs: July 2013 Foreign Policy Review

Definitions of the DoEA's Foreign Policy Review

Economic/Trade Restrictions:

Most Priority: Free exchange of intelligence and trade, as well as top priorities for military and/or economic aid if needed

Normal/None: Atlasian government and corporations are free to due business unhindered by government enforced restrictions.

Partial: Specific restrictions such as selective tariffs or partial embargoes are to be in place to pressure the government to change course, not to change the regime itself. Foreign aid can be granted if the regime shows signs of progress towards democracy.

Full: Complete embargo and trade is forbidden with the nation in question. Corporations in violation may face fines decided by the Senate.

Military Restrictions:

Normal/None: Any military hardware produced by private firms, or by the government of Atlasia may be sold to the government in question. However, nuclear material, technology and nuclear weapons may not be sold unless the Senate agrees with the sale of atomic technology to the nation in question.

Partial: Personnel weapons may be sold by private corporations or the state to the country in question. Personnel weapons are weapons, which are carried and operated by one man, i.e. assault rifles, mortars, RPGs, etc. No vehicles, armour, aircraft, or ships may be sold.

Full: No military equipment of any nature may be sold privately or by Atlasia, i.e. no uniforms, guns, vehicles, nothing.


DoEA Policy: Africa

Algeria: Partial military and partial economic restrictions.  We have serious concerns about political freedoms, basic rights, and corruption.
Angola: Normal
Benin: Normal
Botswana: Normal
Burkina Faso: Normal, though we are concerned about corruption and certain political freedoms.
Burundi: Partial military and no economic restrictions, though we are still concerned about ethnic violence, corruption and certain political freedoms.
Cameroon: Normal, though we are concerned by the political situation and corruption.
Cape Verde: Normal
Central African Republic: Partial military and partial economic restrictions. We are concerned by the lack of political freedoms and certain civil liberties.
Chad: Full military and economic restrictions. We are concerned by the lack of political freedoms, certain civil liberties and the political situation.
Comoros: Normal, though we are concerned by the current political situation
Congo: Full military and partial economic restrictions. We are concerned by the massive corruption and lack of political freedoms.
Cote d’Ivoire: Normal
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Full military and economic restrictions because of serious concerns about the political situation, continued violence, basic rights, corruption and treatment of women.
Djibouti: Partial military and no economic restrictions
Egypt: Partial military and no economic restrictions.  We are very concerned about government instability and political freedoms. The DoEA is currently conducting talks with the Egyptian government as soon as possible regarding this matter.
Equatorial Guinea: Full military and economic restrictions
Eritrea: Full military and economic restrictions. We have strong concerns about the current situation, civil liberties and illegal weapons trading with Somalia.
Ethiopia: No military and economic restrictions. We have concerns about political freedoms, internal violence and relations with Somalia.
Gabon: Partial military and partial economic restrictions.
Gambia: Partial military and no economic restrictions.
Ghana: Normal
Guinea: Partial military and no economic restrictions. We have serious concerns about political freedoms, basic rights, and corruptions. We support a return to civilian government.
Guinea-Bissau: Partial military and no economic restrictions
Kenya: Normal
Lesotho: Normal
Liberia: Normal
Libya: Normal. The DoEA is pleased with the transition that the Libyans are taking towards Democracy.
Madagascar: Normal, though we are concerned by corruption and political instability.
Malawi: Normal
Mali: Partial economic and no military restrictions.  We are very concerned about government instability.
Mauritania: Partial military and no economic restrictions.
Mauritius: Normal
Morocco: Normal, though we are concerned about certain political freedoms.
Mozambique: Normal
Namibia: Normal
Niger: Normal, though we have serious concerns about political freedoms and basic rights.
Nigeria: Normal.  There needs to be serious political reform and we are also worried about violence in the Niger Delta and the situation in the north.
Rwanda: Partial military and no economic restrictions, though we have concerns pertaining to freedom of the press and politics.
Sao Tome and Principe: Normal
Senegal: Normal
Seychelles: Normal
Sierra Leone: Normal
Somalia: Full military and economic restrictions. We have strong concerns regarding piracy and continued violence.
Somaliland: Normal.
South Africa: Normal, though we have concerns over corruption and their response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Sudan: Full military and economic restrictions.
South Sudan: Normal.
Swaziland: Full military and economic restrictions
Tanzania: Normal
Togo: Partial military and no economic restrictions.
Tunisia: Partial military and no economic restrictions.
Uganda: Full military and partial economic restrictions. We are concerned by the political situation, human rights and corruption.
Western Sahara: Normal, though we are concerned about certain political freedoms.
Zambia: Normal/ though we are concerned by the political situation and corruption.
Zimbabwe: Full military and economic restrictions

[MaxQue]

Abolition of the Supreme Court Bar Act.

1. Section 10 of the Re-Consolidated Criminal Justice Act is hereby repealed.

[TNF]

I am withdrawing the Paid Sick Leave and Paid Vacations Acts of 2013 in favor of the following:

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[TNF]

I am withdrawing the Making up for Lost Ground Act, the Just Cause in Firings Act, the Pay Period Limitation Act, the Think Twice Before Sending Them Home Early Act, the Break Time Act, the Overtime Compensation Act, and the Internships, Not Internment Camps! Act, and the Everybody's Working for the Weekend Act in favor of the following consolidated legislation:

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[TNF]

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[Napoleon]

Repeal of Useless Laws Act

FL 28-12 Secret Ballot Act is hereby repealed.

FL 35-6 HAEV Guidelines is hereby repealed.

The Reconsolidated Criminal Justice Act is amended as follows:

Section 6 Trial of all these crimes and Acts of Treason shall be done in full compliance with the provisions of Article III, Section 2 of the Third Constitution.

[Napoleon]

Fix the regions amendment

THe number of regions shall be reduced to four.

[TJ in Oregon]

Permanent Improvements Act

1. Distressed local governments are eligible to receive interest-free loans from the federal government to fund capital projects if those projects are estimated to save money over the course of their lifetime.

2. To receive funds, the local government must apply to the Department of Public Works and be approved for an interest-free loan. The Department of Public Works must weigh the merits of each proposal based on the project's cost, ability to save money for the local government, and the local government's degree of danger of financial distress.

3. "Local government" is defined for the purposes of this act as a government at the county level or lower.

4. "Distressed" is defined as a local government that has lost 25% or more of its population in the last five decades, a local government with expenditures exceeding 150% of its income, or a local government deemed upon application to the Department of Public Works to be in danger of default now or at some point in the next two decades without corrective action.