Office of Southern Governor LouisvilleThunder

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Since all delegates have voted, voting is now closed.

Bill passes 5-0-0 and awaits gubernatorial action.

SOUTHERN FLAG DAY ACT

1. The 3rd of June of every year is hereby proclaimed to be Southern Flag Day.

2. On Southern Flag Day all Regional properties required by law to display the current official flag of the Southern Region shall likewise display any historical official flag of the Southern Region. Residents of the Southern Region, are likewise encouraged to display the current and any historical official flags of the Southern Region on Southern Flag Day as a show of civic unity and Southern pride.

3. The Southern Regional government shall purchase 500,000 troy ounces of silver bullion and commission the minting of 500,000 non legal tender, silver, 1 troy oz commemorative tokens, to be sold to the public at $35 per token. Each token shall include on the obverse, "Southern Region 2022" as well as a sculpting to be approved by the governor, of the current official Southern Flag. Each token shall include on the reverse, the Official Southern Motto Emeritus as well as a sculpting to be approved by the governor, of the retired official Southern Flag. The sculptings shall be painted prior to sale. All proceeds from the sale of these tokens shall be dedicated to a fund for the purchase of any flags necessary to fulfill the provisions if this Act.

4. This Act shall take effect immediately.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Since all delegates have voted, voting is now closed.

Bill passes 4-0-1 and awaits gubernatorial action

BANNING WICKED MONEY CHANGERS ACT

TITLE I: PURPOSE

Whereas, Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah and Son of God, heroically ran the wicked money changers out of the great temple of Jerusalem; and

Whereas, non-fungible tokens and cryptocurrencies are a modern day scam pushed by wicked money changers who swap worthless data codes for Atlasian currency; and

Whereas, it is the duty of the Southern Region to protect the health, safety, welfare, and morals of the people in the South;

Now therefore, be it resolved and ordained that the Southern Region passes this act to ban the online sale, possession, minting, and trade of Non-Fungible Tokens within the region, regulate the commerce of cryptocurrencies, and end processes that unnecessarily impact the environment.

TITLE II: PROHIBITION ON SALE

1. The commercial sale, designing, minting, transfer, and trade of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) is hereby banned in the Southern Region.  

2. Any person or entity who owns or operates a website permitting the sale, designing, minting, transfer, or trade of NFTs within the Southern Region shall be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for one (1) year and a fine of $10,000, as well as the disgorgement of any profits.

TITLE III: PRETEND MONEY MANUFACTURING

1. All machines used to mine cryptocurrencies must be registered with the Attorney General. All cryptocurrencies mined within the Southern Region shall be subject to a tax of 5% of the total value of all crypto mined by the registered machine each year. All such taxes shall be paid in Atlasian currency.

2. No machine registered pursuant to this Title shall be be allowed to mine cryptocurrencies for the exclusive purpose of minting NFTs. Nothing in this act shall prohibit other forms of cryptocurrency.

3. It is the position of the Southern Region that NFTs and cryptocurrencies are stupid and at best a scam.

TITLE IV: ENACTMENT

This bill shall take effect July 1, 2022.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Since all delegates have voted, voting is now closed.

Bill passes 4-1-0 and awaits gubernatorial action

DON'T BE RACIST TO ANIMALS ACT

Title I: Animal Exhibitions

1. No individual, organization, entity, or other person, in the Southern Region may conduct, promote, or organize a competitive animal exhibition show that singles out specific breeds of such animal from participation purely because of the geographic area in which the animal's breed type was originally domesticated or bred. This shall include but is not limited to the Russian blue cat breed and the Siberian husky dog breed.

2. Nothing in this act shall be interpreted as prohibiting competitive animal exhibition shows limited to a single, specific breed or animal. The intent of this act is merely to prohibit the singling out of a specific breed for exclusion from a multi-breed competition.

3. A violation of this act shall be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $10,000, a letter of reprimand, condemnation, and shame from the Southern Governor, and restitution to the owners of any show animals excluded from competition. Restitution shall be the full value of any winnings that were awarded to the first place winner.

4. This title shall take effect March 13, 2022.

Title II: Fraudulent Deceit technical corrections

1. The Fraudulent Deceit Is A Sin Act shall be amended as follows:

...

TITLE IV: CONFIDENCE ARTISTS

1. No person shall, for a fee or compensation which he directly or indirectly solicits or receives claim, pretend, or hold himself out as being able to use pseudoscientific, occult, or psychic powers, faculties or forces, clairvoyance, psychology, psychometry, spirits, mediumship, seership, prophecy, astrology, palmistry, necromancy, or other craft, science, cards, talismans, charms, potions, E-Meter and associated auditing, magnetism, or magnetized articles or substances, oriental mysteries, or magic of any kind, or numerology to:

A. tell fortunes
B. overcome evil influences and bad luck
C. treat the sick or ailing, make medical diagnoses, or recommend product purchases
D. find or restore lost or stolen property
E. locate gold, silver, ore, petroleum or other natural product
F. restore lost love or friendship or affection
G. unite or procure lovers, husbands, wives, lost relatives or friends
H. commune with or resurrect the dead

This provision shall not apply to any person who engages in such conduct as part of a show or exhibition solely for the purpose of entertainment or amusement and who announces such prior to such show or exhibition. This provision shall not apply to bona fide, non-commercial religious practice.

2. This title shall take effect immediately.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Since all delegates have voted, voting is now closed.

Bill passes 5-0-0 and awaits gubernatorial action

PROMOTING HOLY PRISON UNIFORMS ACT

Title I: Accommodation Policies and Enactment

1. Any person imprisoned in the Southern Region has the right to freedom of conscience and to freely exercise their religion. Accordingly, the following accommodations shall be offered to such imprisoned person, provided such accommodation is based on a sincerely-held religious belief and does not demonstrably jeopardize the health or safety of prisoners or prison staff or facilitate actual crime. The actual abuse of an accommodation identified in this act may result in the suspension of such accommodation for the individual abuser. Such suspension, denial based on particularized health or safety necessities, or reasonable heightened security screenings to ensure that an accommodation under this act is not being abused shall not be deemed a violation of a prisoner’s religious freedom.

2. Unless otherwise indicated herein, this act shall take effect July 1, 2022.

Title II: Hair and Head Coverings

1. Hair may be grown out, including by Sikhs following the 5 Kakaars of Guru Gobind Singh and by those who have taken a Nazirite vow, in accordance with Numbers 6:5 in the Holy Bible.

2. As Al-Bukhaari, at hadith 5893 has reported that Allah’s Prophet (peace be upon him) said “cut the moustaches short and leave the beard”, beards may be grown by prisoners, including by Muslims, and by Sikhs following the 5 Kakaars of Guru Gobind Singh and by those who have taken a Nazirite vow, in accordance with Numbers 6:5 in the Holy Bible. Paragraph 4 of the Religious Freedom Amplification Act is hereby repealed.

3. As Allah, in the Quran at al-Ahzab 33:59 commanded his Prophet (peace be upon him) to decree “O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their veils”, reasonable head coverings may be worn by prisoners. Allowable head coverings can include hijabs and taqiyahs by Muslims, turbans by Sikhs following the 5 Kakaars of Guru Gobind Singh, prayer veils by Christians, and skullcaps, yarmulkes, and kippahs by Jews.

Title III: Uniforms

1.  No clothing or uniform provided to persons imprisoned in the Southern Region shall contain mixed textiles (shatnez) of both wool and linen, in accordance with Leviticus 19:19 and Deuteronomy 22:11 in the Holy Bible.

2. As Al-Bukhaari, at hadith 5787 has reported that Allah’s Prophet (peace be upon him) said “whatever of the pants is below the ankles is in the Fire”, specially-hemmed pants that blouse or bind the pant cuffs above the ankle may be worn by prisoners, including by Muslims.

3. By January 1, 2023 each prison, jail, or correctional facility in the Southern Region shall evaluate the potential risks of female prisoners wearing uniform dresses rather than uniform pants. If such evaluation determines that uniform dresses would not materially impact the health and safety of prisoners and prison employees, then any female prisoner, regardless of religious belief, may wear a uniform dress rather than uniform pants. Such dresses shall be paid for by the female prisoner making the request. For purposes of this provision, female prisoner shall be defined as that term is defined in the Prison Changes Act.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Since all delegates have voted, voting is now closed.

Bill passes 5-0-0 and awaits gubernatorial action

STUDENT ATHLETE LIKENESS ACT

A. No institution or an agent thereof; athletic association; athletic conference; or other organization with authority over intercollegiate athletics shall:

1. Provide a prospective or current student-athlete with compensation for the use of his or her name, image, or likeness;

2. Prohibit or prevent a student-athlete from earning compensation for the use of his or her name, image, or likeness, except as set forth in this subsection;

3. Prohibit or prevent a student-athlete from obtaining professional representation by an athlete agent or legal representation by a licensed attorney, for issues related to name, image, or likeness;

4. Declare ineligible for competition or reduce, cancel or not renew an athletic scholarship because a student-athlete earns compensation for the use of his or her name, image, or likeness; or

5. Prevent an institution from participating in intercollegiate athletics because a student-athlete earns compensation for the use of his or her name, image or likeness, or obtains representation for related issues.

B. An institution may prohibit a student-athlete from earning compensation for the use of his or her name, image or likeness while the individual is engaged in academic, official team, or department activities, including competition, practice, travel, academic services, community service, and promotional activities.

C. An institution may prohibit a student-athlete from using his or her name, image or likeness to earn compensation if the proposed use conflicts with an existing agreement between the institution and a third party.

D. A student-athlete shall be prohibited from earning compensation for the use of his or her name, image or likeness in connection with any of the following:

1. Casinos or gambling, including sports betting;

2. Alcohol products;

3. Adult entertainment;

4. Cannabis, cannabinoids, cannabidiol, or other derivatives;

5. Dangerous or controlled substances;

6. Performance enhancing drugs or substances (e.g., steroids, human growth hormone);

7. Drug paraphernalia;

8. Tobacco and electronic smoking products and devices; and

E. Any agreement entered into by a student athlete that provides compensation for the use of a student-athlete’s name, image, or likeness shall be disclosed prior to execution of the agreement by such student-athlete in a manner designated by the institution the student-athlete is attending.  If a student-athlete discloses a potential agreement that conflicts with an existing institutional agreement, the institution shall disclose the relevant terms of the conflicting agreement to the student-athlete.

F. A student-athlete shall not earn compensation for the use of his or her name, image, or likeness in exchange for attendance at an institution or pay-for- performance.

G. A student-athlete shall not use an institution’s facilities or uniforms, or the institution’s intellectual property, including logos, indicia, registered and unregistered trademarks, or products protected by copyright, unless otherwise permitted by the institution.

H. For the purposes of this act:

“Institution” means a private institution of higher education or baccalaureate public institution of higher education.

"Pay-for-performance" means payments and compensation provided to student-athletes that is contingent on the student athlete's achieving certain performance goals or objectives.

“Student-athlete” means an individual enrolled at an institution who participates in intercollegiate athletics.

I. This act shall take effect immediately.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Since all delegates have voted, voting is now closed.

Bill passes 5-0-0 and awaits gubernatorial action

Southern Culturally Significant Songs" Resolution

A. The Southern Region hereby designates and affirms the following list with the label of "Culturally Significant Southern Songs:

Culturally Significant Songs

1. "A Country Boy Can Survive", written by Hank Williams, Jr.
2. "The Bonnie Blue Flag" - Written by Harry McCarthy
3. "Oh Susanna" - Traditonal
4. "Take Me Home, Country Roads" - by John Denver
5. "Sweet Home Alabama" - by Lynyrd Skynyrd
6. "The Yellow Rose of Texas" - Traditional
7. All Songs by Elvis Aaron Presley that made it to Number 1 in the US charts
8. "Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing)" - by Louis Prima
9. "What a Wonderful World" - Louis "Satchmo/Pops" Armstrong
10. "Remember the Alamo" - by Johnny Cash
11. "Jackson in the Valley" - Traditional
12. " Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" - Traditional
13. The Official Anthem of the Southern Region and any former such Anthems
14. Any Official Song of a State in the Southern Region or former such song.

B. This act shall take effect immediately.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Since all delegates have voted, voting is now closed.

Bill passes 5-0-0 and awaits gubernatorial action

DIVORCE IS SOMETIMES A SIN ACT

1. The Southern Marriage Act shall be amended as follows:

Southern Marriage Act

Section 1. Definitions

i. To be valid and recognized in this region, a civil marriage shall exist only between two adults.

ii. Individuals who have a coefficient of relationship of 10% or higher with each other are prohibited from marrying, with the sole exception of first cousins if the laws of the State in which the marriage is being solemnized allows for such.

iii. Nothing in this act shall be construed to compel religious institutions to recognize, endorse, host, or provide civil marriages.

Section 2. Validity and Parameters

i. To be valid and recognized in this region, a civil marriage shall exist only between two adults. Bigamy and Polygamy are hereby prohibited.

ii. Nothing in this act shall be construed to compel religious institutions to recognize, endorse, host, or provide civil marriages.

Section 3. Civil Marriage Incentives

i. Section 2(i) of the Family Opportunity Fund Act (S.20.3-16) is replaced with the following section:

Each Married person with a dependent child shall be eligible for an annual child tax credit of $6,000 per dependent, up to four. The credit shall be divided and dispersed at the beginning of each month ($500 per month). Each Unmarried person with a dependent child shall be eligible for an annual child tax credit of $3,600 per dependent, up to four. The credit shall be divided and dispersed at the beginning of each month ($300 per month).

Section 4. At-Fault Civil Divorce

i. To obtain an at-fault civil divorce in the South, one spouse must show that the other spouse has committed a fault.

ii. Faults shall include adultery, willful desertion or abandonment, capital felony, cruelty by one spouse that causes the other spouse to have a reasonable fear of bodily harm, and crimes against children. State governments may augment this list. Such faults may only be raised as grounds for divorce if raised within five (5) years of discovery by the spouse raising such claim.

iii. A spouse accused of a fault can utilize recrimination as a defense.

iv. If only one spouse is shown to have acted without fault in the civil marriage, that spouse shall be awarded the presumption of primary custody of non-adult minor children subject to a determination of the best interests of the minor children and two-thirds of commonly held or marital real property.

v. No alimony payments are owed to a spouse who has committed a fault.

Section 5. No-Fault Civil Divorce.

i. A spouse can obtain a civil divorce in the South without a showing of fault upon the conclusion of one (1) year of separation and the completion of an appropriate treatment program or counseling program. However, if such divorce is not mutually initiated, the initiating spouse forgoes any right to alimony payments, and cannot receive more than 50% of commonly held real property or the presumption of primary custody in the divorce settlement.

Section 6: Enactment

Sections 2 and 3 of this act are valid immediately upon passage. Sections 1, 4 and 5 will enter into effect on January 1, 2023.

2. It is hereby a class 1 misdemeanor to engage in adulterous polygamy, defined as entering into a marriage with more than one (1) person during the duration of an existing marriage; participatinh in sexual activities with a person other than his spouse during the duration of an existing marriage, provided the person’s spouse is also present during such sexual activities; causeing another person by force, threat, or intimidation to engage in such activities; or producing, distributing, publishing, selling, transmitting, financing, possessing with the intent to distribute, publish, sell, or transmit, or making any attempt to produce, distribute, publish, sell, transmit, or finance an obscene item depicting or purporting to depict a person engaged in such activities.

3. This Act shall take effect immediately.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Since all delegates have voted, voting is now closed.

Bill passes 5-0-0 and awaits gubernatorial action

PROMOTING HOLY HYGIENE ACT

Section I: Purpose and Enactment

1. The Southern Chamber of Delegates does hereby pass this act to protect the public health and morals of the Southern Region, so as to reduce the public risk of transmissible and preventable diseases and to better protect the reproductive health of women.

2. Unless otherwise specified herein, this act shall take effect on July 1, 2022.

Section II: Menstruation

1. For purposes of this act, feminine hygiene products shall consist of tampons, sanitary pads, liners, or menstrual cups worn to assist with the absorption of discharge during menstruation.

2. Beginning on January 1, 2023, no State or locality in the Southern Region that assesses a tax on general sales or a value-added tax on commercial production shall assess such tax on the sale of or value-added to feminine hygiene products, nor shall any State or locality in the Southern Region assess a special tax on feminine hygiene products or their production, sale, or distribution.

3. All public toilet facilities in any Regional facility or property shall keep an adequate stockpile of single-use feminine hygiene products to be freely dispensed to the public. For purposes of this provision, menstrual cups shall be not be construed as single-use.

4. As protecting the health of the public from the potential spread of transmissible and preventable diseases is a compelling governmental interest firmly rooted within the plenary power of the Southern Region, in furtherance of this goal, the Southern Region hereby recognizes and enacts the following:

A. That the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has funded, promoted, ratified, and determined, in a 2018 study by Elias E. Mazokopakis and George Samonis entitled Is Vaginal Sexual Intercourse Permitted during Menstruation? A Biblical and Medical Approach, that vaginal sexual intercourse during menstruation is a risk factor for the transmission of HIV and other STDs; that such intercourse actually makes such infection easier due to the temporary loss of the cervical mucous plug, the presence of iron in menstrual fluid, the dilation of the cervical opening, the elevated alkaline pH of the vagina, and the premenstrual peak of hormones; that such intercourse greatly risks rupturing the congested and prone veins of the uterus causing tears and other physical harm; and that women who engaged in such intercourse were twice as likely to develop endometriosis.

B. That accordingly, to protect the public against the risk of such harmful health impacts, in all States and external territories of the Southern Region, any person who knowingly and consensually:

i.  engages in or submits to vaginal sexual intercourse during a period of menstruation, shall be guilty of a civil infraction punishable by a civil penalty of $50.

ii. advertises, solicits, or offers, to engage in or submit to vaginal sexual intercourse during a period of menstruation shall be guilty of a civil infraction punishable by a civil penalty of $50.

iii. produces, distributes, publishes, sells, transmits, finances, possesses with the intent to distribute, publish, sell, or transmit, or makes any attempt to produce, distribute, publish, sell, transmit, or finance an obscene item depicting or purporting to depict a person engaged in vaginal sexual intercourse during a period of menstruation shall be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for no less than one (1) year and no more than three (3) years and a fine of $10,000. Any person convicted of this provision shall be required to register as a sex offender and shall be ordered to attend an appropriate treatment program or obtain psychiatric or psychological counseling.

iv. All civil penalties and criminal fines collected under this act shall be deposited into a special fund for the purpose of funding advertising, research, and programs targeted at reducing the spread of sexually transmissible diseases, provided that no such program shall consist of the exchange or distribution of needles or pipes necessary to consume narcotics.

Section III: Circumcision

1. The Health Insurance Reform Act shall be amended as follows:

…

4.) An ILR must provide insurance plans which cover the following:

A) Primary care and prevention services, including the cost of a complete physical every 2 years;
B) Inpatient care;
C) Outpatient care;
D) Emergency care;
E) Prescription drugs, unless an adequate over-the-counter drug is available. Nothing in this act shall prohibit an ILR from negotiating bulk drug purchases and then distributing the prescription drugs at network facilities;
E) Durable medical equipment, allowing for reasonable annual limits on non-life sustaining DME costs. ILRs may also refuse to cover motorized wheel chairs for persons who have normal use of hands and arms;
F) Long-term care, allowing for an ILR to prioritize the use of home health workers;
G) Palliative care;
H) Mental health services, allowing for reasonable annual limits on in-person psychiatric counseling;
I) Medically necessary dental surgery, an annual dental checkup, and a non-emergency dental x-ray every 3 years. Cosmetic dentistry and teeth whitening services may be excluded from coverage;
J) Substance abuse treatment services, allowing for the exclusion of hair, blood, saliva, or urine drug testing;
K) Chiropractic services, subject to referral from a licensed doctor specializing in musculoskeletal treatment;
L) Medically necessary eye and vision surgery, and an eye exam every 18 months. Laser vision corrective surgery may be excluded, unless glasses or contact lenses would not function as a medically adequate substitute;
M) Hearing services, including tests to determine if hearing aides are necessary and at what degree of amplification;
N) Podiatric care, including a pair of medically necessary orthotics;
O) Intrauterine Devices and Cervical caps;
P) End of Life Care, allowing for reimbursement limits for such care in a hospital to be capped at the rate negotiated for a hospice facility;
Q) Phone and internet consultation services for medical services;
R) Hormone Therapy and Gender Reassignment Surgery. Breast augmentation, facial feminization surgery, and hair removal services may be excluded.
S) Circumcisions

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Since all delegates have voted, voting is now closed.

Bill passes 5-0-0 and awaits gubernatorial action

WAX MY BALLS, BIGOT ACT

1. No person in the Southern Region engaged in the profession of providing personal grooming services or massage therapy to other persons shall be required to provide such services involving physical contact with the genitalia, thigh, anus or exposed buttocks, or exposed breast or nipple of any person, for any reason, regardless of if such professional provides similar services to any other person. No person shall be prosecuted for failing or refusing to provide such services involving physical contact with the genitalia, thigh, anus or exposed buttocks, or exposed breast or nipple and no lawsuit by a customer or potential customer alleging damages for the failure to receive such services involving physical contact with his or her genitalia, thigh, anus or exposed buttocks, or exposed breast or nipple shall be justiciable in any court in the Southern Region. If a professional accepts money for such services but later declines to provide such services, the professional shall refund the portion of the money accepted that was to pay for the declined service.

2. It is the position of the Southern Region that no one should sue someone else over the latter's refusal to wax the former's scrotum.

3. This Act shall take effect immediately.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Since all delegates have voted, voting is now closed.

Bill passes 5-0-0 and awaits gubernatorial action

RAPE KIT PROCESSING ACT

TITLE I: DEFINITIONS

1. A “rape kit” as referenced in this act shall refer to any package of items used by medical or law enforcement personnel, and specifically intended to provide tools for conducting forensic examination of a victim of sexual assault, as well as the evidentiary material collected from such kits and commonly stored within them.

TITLE II. PROVISIONS

1. Any law enforcement agency in the Southern Region investigating an alleged or suspected sexual assault shall, if possible, offer to conduct a forensic examination of the possible victim in a timely fashion.

a. This examination shall include, but is not limited to, swabbing of the body for bodily fluids, collection of urine and/or blood from the victim, and collection of hair and fibers from the victim.

b. $35 million is allocated to the Southern Department of Justice for the purpose of updating current rape kit testing labs, setting up additional labs, hiring additional forensic technicians, and processing and testing backlogged rape kits. The Southern Chamber hereby expressly waives pay-go rules for this provision.

2. All rape kits utilized after July 1st, 2022 shall be examined, tested for DNA samples, and further tested for DNA matches against the Southern Department of Justice’s DNA database, along with any database operated by the federal government or other Regions, provided such databases are accessible to Southern law enforcement, within sixty (60) days of the initial forensic examination. The Southern Department of Justice’s DNA database shall be reciprocally available to the law enforcement of the federal government or to any other Region to assist with sexual assault investigations.

a. Should a law enforcement agency other than one operated by the Southern Regional government fail to provide for the examination of a rape kit within the time allotted, the Southern Department of Justice shall assume jurisdiction over the relevant investigation, and take possession of all evidence relevant thereto.

b. In such cases, the relevant law enforcement agency shall pay the Southern Department of Justice ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for their work.

3. All rape kits utilized before July 1st, 2022 and hereto unprocessed in the fashion described in this Act, shall be so examined by December 31st, 2024. Thereafter, such rape kits and the investigations in which they were collected shall be subject to the processes outlined in this Act.

4.  Any law enforcement agency in the Southern Region shall be required to train their employees on the procedures for handling sexual assault cases, including the importance of and requirements for timely rape kit testing.

5. Unless otherwise specified herein, this act shall take effect July 1, 2022.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Since all delegates have voted, voting is now closed.

Bill passes 5-0-0 and awaits gubernatorial action

PROMOTING HOLY SLAUGHTERHOUSES ACT

Section I: Purpose

Whereas, the Bible, our ultimate moral arbiter on Earth assures us that we may slaughter animals from our herds and flocks as God has commanded; and

Whereas, approximately 6,000 years ago God empowered humans over animals with the expectation that we protect and not mistreat such animals; and

Whereas, the current law regulating kosher and halal slaughterhouses fails to adequately protect the welfare of animals; and

Whereas, there are regulations that could both protect the welfare of animals as well as kosher or halal slaughter;

now therefore, the Southern Chamber of Delegates does hereby pass this act to protect the public health and morals of the Southern Region.

Section II: Humane and holy animal killing at slaughterhouses

1. For purposes of this act, a regulated slaughterer shall be defined as any person owning or operating a commercial slaughterhouse, butchery, agribusiness, or other business engaged in the killing and processing of animals for human consumption within the Southern Region.

2. A regulated slaughterer shall not be required to stun an animal into unconsciousness prior to or after killing the animal. Any regulated slaughterer who chooses not to stun an animal in unconsciousness prior to the killing of the animal must kill the animal pursuant to the following regulations:

A. The “shackle and hoist” method of slaughter (also known as shechita teluyah), where the animal is shackled around one of its back legs and, through use of pulleys, is suspended in the air prior to having its throat cut, is hereby prohibited.

B. Any restraints used to secure the animal prior to being killed shall be of a design to minimize discomfort to the animal being secured thereby.

C. The animal must be killed while in an upright or semi-upright position, secured by human restraints or a pen.

D. The animal must be killed as quickly as is safely possible upon it being restrained.

E. The animal shall not be unrestrained, moved, or have its internal organs removed until after the animal is rendered permanently unconscious and free of sensibility.

F.  The animal shall not be killed on the exact same day as its parent or offspring, pursuant to Leviticus 22:28.

G. The animal shall not have any of its limbs or wings removed prior to being killed, pursuant to Genesis 9:4.

H. A violation of this act shall be classified as a class 1 misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for no more than (1) year, a fine of no more than $10,000, or both.

Title III: Kosher and Halal labeling

1. All commercial animal products slaughtered to be sold as kosher or halal shall be so labeled at the time of processing and packaging by a regulated slaughterer. The la,bel must include, at a minimum, the name of the person or organization sanctioning the slaughter and whether the animal product was soaked and salted prior to packaging. Animal products labeled as not being soaked and salted must be accompanied by a wash letter up to the time of final fabrication.

2. Portions of animal products that have been fabricated by a wholesaler must have a kosher or halal label affixed to it. The label shall bear the name and address of the wholesaler, the name of the person or organization that sanctioned the slaughter, the date of the fabrication of the meat, and whether the meat has been soaked and salted. If the animal product was not soaked and salted the wholesaler must provide a copy of the wash letter. All labels must be affixed to portions or packages prior to release from the wholesaler’s premises.

3. All excised fats, veins, sciatic nerves, organs, or meat trimmings which will be sent to a renderer or discarded shall be separated from animal products to be labeled kosher or halal. Such fats, veins, sciatic nerves, organs, and trimmings shall not then be sold or used as kosher.

4. The seller of an animal product labeled as kosher or halal shall not remove the label of any food until immediately prior to the sale or use of the product.

5. The seller of an animal product labeled as kosher or halal who represents in a disclosure that the animal product has not been soaked and salted but instead washed within every 72-hour period, shall disclose legibly on the wash letter provided, the date and time of day of each washing, and the name of the person performing the washing.

6. The seller of an animal product labeled as kosher or halal shall indicate the date of packaging on the label of any such animal product that has not been soaked and salted.

7. A violation of this act shall be classified as a class 3 misdemeanor punishable by a fine of no more than $1,000.

Title IV: Truman says protect humane animal slaughter

1. Whereas, the region of Fremont passed the Plain Packaging Act which directly contradicts, violates, and nullifies a lawful statute of the government of Atlasia, and;

Whereas, the Plain Packaging Act, a regional law, was drafted and carried into execution by the sitting Attorney General, Harry Truman, and;

Whereas, despite the obvious conflict of interest the Atlasian Attorney General has opined that the Plain Packaging Act, a regional law, supersedes contradictory Atlasian statutory law regardless of the Supremacy Clause of the Atlasian Constitution on the grounds that we “demonstrate … genuine attachment to the principle of regional rights. If … not, we shall know that all this talk of federalism is a humbug and merely a flimsy disguise for their putative devotion to the monied interest. We call on all the friends of labor to stand firm against the combination of the communists and fascists in their war on regionalism. This war we must and shall win for the liberty of all Atlasians under the constitution.”, and;

Whereas, the sitting Attorney General, Harry Truman, has determined that regional nullification of an Atlasian statute is appropriate when regional rights and the liberty of the people are threatened, that failure to engage in such regional nullification benefits communists and fascists, and that the Atlasian Department of Justice would not enforce a nullified Atlasian law;

Now, therefore, we the Chamber of Delegates of the Southern Region, under the principles of comity and regional equality, do hereby ordain and resolve the following:

a. That it is position of the Chamber of Delegates of the Southern Region that parts 1 and 2 of the Human Methods Livestock Slaughter Act (HMLSA) (7 U.S.C. §1901 – 1902), an Atlasian statute violates regional rights and the liberty of the people.

b. That accordingly, parts 1 and 2 of the HMLSA are hereby nullified within the legal jurisdiction of the Southern Region in so far as it conflicts with this act. No local, State, or Regional money or resources shall be expended in the enforcement of this statute, nor shall any local, State, Regional, or Atlasian employees or agents enforce, or attempt to enforce, this statute within the Southern Region.

c. That any provision herein found to be unconstitutional by a court of proper jurisdiction shall be severable from the remainder of this act.

Section V: Enactment

A. This act shall take effect July 1, 2022.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Since all delegates have voted, voting is now closed.

Bill passes 5-0-0 and awaits gubernatorial action

DRUNKENESS IS A SIN ACT

1. The Chug It Down Act shall be amended as follows:

Section 1 (Title)
i. The title of this Act shall be the "Chug It Down Act."

Section 2
a. A maximum fine of $20150 per offense and twenty (20) hours of approved community service or participation in an approved treatment program shall may be imposed for the crime of consuming or attempting to purchase alcoholic beverages underage. No other punishment shall be applied and upon completion of the sentence all records shall be sealed and the conviction expunged.

b. Nothing in this act shall permit establishments to serve alcohol to underage patrons.

c. Nothing in this act shall prohibit punishment being imposed for charges relating to attempting to use or manufacture false identification.

d. Nothing in this act shall prohibit punishment being imposed for charges relating to driving under the influence.

2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2022.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Since all delegates have voted, voting is now closed.

Bill passes 5-0-0 and awaits gubernatorial action

PROMOTING HOLY BUILDING CODES ACT

Section I: Purpose

Whereas, the Bible, our ultimate moral arbiter on Earth at Deuteronomy 22:8 commands that when you build a new house, you must make a parapet wall around a flat roof so that you may not bring the guilt of bloodshed on thy house if someone falls from the roof; and

Whereas, the Bible, our ultimate moral arbiter on Earth at Deuteronomy 6:9 commands that you shall write a Bible verse upon the doorposts of thy house and upon thy gates; and

Whereas, the Southern Region has established uniform laws on building code standards to better protect the public health, safety, and morals of the people of the South; and

now therefore, the Southern Chamber of Delegates does hereby pass this act to further protect the public health, safety, and morals of the Southern Region.

Section II: Uniformity of laws on parapet walls and doorposts

A. The Uniform Statewide Building Code Adoption Act shall be amended as follows:

Uniform Statewide Building Code Adoption Act

Be it enacted:

1.) The 20128 Edition of the Uniform Statewide Building Code is hereby adopted by reference with the following exceptions and amendments:

a.) Anything which conflicts with the End of Session Omnibus Regulatory Reform Act

b.) Anything which conflicts with the Southern Property Usage Act

c.) Any State in the Southern Region may require stricter standards based on local conditions for the following:
     i.) Snow Loads of roofs
     ii.) Wind Resistance
     iii.) Foundation Strength
     iv.) Water-proofing

d.) Any building or structure which was constructed before 1985 must be inspected for asbestos prior to being granted a permit for renovations or demolitions. The owner or his agent must report this to the local inspections program.

e.) If a locality does not adopt a local inspections program, this law shall be enforced by the State of the locality.

f.) Anything which conflicts with common law public nuisance powers.

g.) Failure to pay a required filing fee within the period for filing an appeal forfeits the appeal.

h.) Any new building constructed with a flat roof shall be required to have a parapet wall of sufficient strength and dimensions to protect persons from accidental falls

i.) Any new building shall be constructed with door frames of sufficient strength and dimensions to allow for the attachment of a mezuzah.

Text available here: http://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/index.php/va-building-codes/building-and-fire-codes/regulations/uniform-statewide-building-code-usbc.html

Section III: Enactment

A. This act shall take effect immediately. Nothing in this act shall be interpreted as requiring retrofitting of existing buildings.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Since all delegates have voted, voting is now closed.

Bill passes 5-0-0 and awaits gubernatorial action

PROMOTING HOLY MILITIAS ACT

1. The Southern National Guard Act shall be amended as follows:

Southern National Guard Act

Title I: Creation and Composition

1. The Adjutant General's office is hereby established to administer federal-regional relations, internal and external security, and the Southern National Guard.

2. The Adjutant General shall be lead the office and shall be appointed by the Governor without legislative consent.

3. All current defense forces regionally operated in the South shall be combined to form the Southern National Guard, including, army, air, naval, space and other defense forces. All state national guards shall remain intact.

4. The Governor shall have the authority to activate and regulate the Southern National Guard and specific state national guards as necessary for domestic and international threats, natural disasters or other purposes.

5. All components of this act shall be funded through the defense portion of the Southern Budget.

6. This act shall take effect immediately upon passage and signature by the Governor or other legislative process as outlined in the Southern constitution.

Title II: Rules of operation and engagement

1. No one religiously scrupulous of bearing arms shall be compelled to render military service in person.

2. No one who has married within the past 365 days shall be required to render military service in person, until such time as a year has passed since the marriage began, in accordance with Deuteronomy 24:5.

3. The Adjutant General shall ensure that adequate chaplaincy has been provided for the Southern National Guard, in accordance with Deuteronomy 20:2.

4. When deployed and when adequate sanitary facilities are unavailable, each member of the Southern National Guard shall be provided a shovel or entrenching tool for the purpose of digging latrines outside of their camp, in accordance with Deuteronomy 23:13 – 14.

5. Southern National Guard members shall not panic in battle nor shall they retreat, except pursuant to a valid order, in accordance with Deuteronomy 20:3.

6. Southern National Guard members shall offer the inhabitants of a city they hold under siege the right to surrender without being executed, in accordance with Deuteronomy 20:10.

2. This act shall take effect immediately.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Since all delegates have voted, voting is now closed.

Bill passes 5-0-0 and awaits gubernatorial action

CONTINUING BUDGET RESOLUTION

1. The previously adopted budget of the Southern Region and all associated authorizations, appropriations, and funding levels shall be continued and remain in force until July 1, 2022.

2. This Act shall take effect immediately.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

It's my pleasure to sign this piece of legislation.

Since all delegates have voted, voting is now closed.

It is my please to announce the bill passes 5-0-0 and awaits gubernatorial action

PROMOTING HOLY AIRPORTS ACT

TITLE I: DEFINITIONS

"Adverse action" means any action taken by a governmental entity to: withhold, reduce, exclude, terminate, or otherwise deny any grant, contract, subcontract, cooperative agreement, loan, scholarship, license, registration, accreditation, employment, or other similar status from or to a person; withhold, reduce, exclude, terminate, or otherwise deny any benefit provided under a benefit program from or to a person; alter in any way the tax treatment of, cause any tax, penalty, or payment assessment against, or deny, delay, or revoke a tax exemption of a person; disallow a tax deduction for any charitable contribution made to or by a person; deny admission to, equal treatment in, or eligibility for a degree from an educational program or institution to a person; or withhold, reduce, exclude, terminate, or otherwise deny access to a property, educational institution, speech forum, or charitable fund-raising campaign from or to a person.            

 "Benefit program" means any program administered or funded by a governmental entity or federal agency that provides assistance in the form of payments, grants, loans, or loan guarantees.            

 "Governmental entity" includes but is not limited to the Regional government and any department or agency thereof, any State or local government in the Southern Region and departments, agencies, and subdivisions thereof, any contractor or subcontractor of a governmental entity acting within the scope of the contract, and any airport or airport authority recieving public funds or financing from a governmental entity.                

TITLE II: NON-DISCRIMINATION

1. Notwithstanding any other law, a governmental entity may not take any adverse action against any person based wholly or partly on a person's belief or action in accordance with the person's sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction, including beliefs or convictions regarding marriage.        

2. A person may assert an actual or threatened violation of this act as a claim or defense in a judicial or administrative proceeding and obtain: compensatory damages; injunctive relief; declaratory relief; and any other appropriate relief, including reasonable attorney's fees.

3. Notwithstanding any other law, a person may commence an action under this section and relief may be granted regardless of whether the person has sought or exhausted available administrative

4. This act shall take effect immediately.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Since all delegates have voted, voting is now closed.

Bill passes 5-0-0 and awaits gubernatorial action

SUCK IT SAN FRANCISCO ACT

TITLE I: PURPOSE

Whereas, the City of San Francisco has passed laws barring the expenditure of public funds on travel to and business with every single State and business in the South because we don’t like to kill babies; and

Whereas, this is a dumb decision by San Francisco; and

Whereas, the Southern Region does not wish its residents to accidentally step on homeless poop or AIDS needles;

Now therefore, the Southern Region does hereby adopt this act to protect the public health, safety, welfare, and morals of His flock.

TITLE II: PUBLICLY-FUNDED TRAVEL

1. The Southern Regional government, and any State or locality therein shall not require any of its employees or officers to travel to the City of San Francisco, California; or approve a request for publicly-funded travel to the City of San Francisco, California.

2. This title shall not apply to travel that is: (a) necessary for the enforcement of any Regional, State, or local law; (b) necessary for the defense of any legal claim against the Southern Region or any State or locality therein; (c) required by law; (d) required to meet contractual obligations incurred by the Southern Region or any State or locality thereon; or (e) necessary for the protection of public health, welfare, morals, or safety.

3. For purposes of this act “travel" does not include landing in the City of San Francisco by plane to make a connecting flight to a destination outside that state, or traversing the City of San Francisco by automobile, train, bus, or otherwise, to reach a destination outside that City.

TITLE III: PUBLICLY-FUNDED CONTRACTS

1. The Southern Regional government, and any State or locality therein shall not enter into any Contract with a Contractor that has its headquarters in the City of San Francisco, California or where any or all of the work on the Contract will be performed in the City of San Francisco, California.

2. This provision shall not apply to Contracts in the following circumstances: (a) The needed services under the applicable Contract are available only from one; or (b) the Contract is necessary to respond to an emergency which endangers the public health or safety and no other complaint entity is capable of responding to the emergency is immediately available to perform the required services; or there are no qualified responsive bidders or prospective vendors that are compliant and the Contract is for a service, project, or property that is essential to the public,· or (4) the public interest warrants the granting of a waiver due to adverse impact on services or a substantial adverse financial impact; or (5) the services to be purchased are available under a bulk purchasing arrangement with a federal, regional, State, or local governmental entity or a group purchasing organization.

TITLE IV: EXPIRATION AND ENACTMENT

1. This act shall take effect 15 days after passage, however this act shall not be applied retroactively.

2. This act shall automatically expire when the City of San Francisco, California first repeals its own laws restricting public travel and public contracts with the Southern Region and any State, locality, or business therein.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Since all delegates have voted, voting is now closed.

Bill passes 5-0-0 and awaits gubernatorial action

PROMOTING GOOD SAMARITANS ACT

TITLE I: PURPOSE

1. Whereas, the Bible, our ultimate moral arbiter on Earth commands at Leviticus 19:16 that we shall not stand idly by if another is in danger; and

Whereas, the Bible, our ultimate moral arbiter on Earth commands at Deuteronomy 22:1 that we shall return lost property to our brothers; and

Whereas, the Bible, our ultimate moral arbiter on Earth commands at Leviticus 5:1 that those who witness a crime and so not utter it shall bear iniquity; and

Whereas, it is the moral and ethical duty of the Southern Region to protect Southerners from harm, impose reasonable duties on its residents to help prevent such harm, and offer protections and incentives to encourage the faithful fulfillment of such legal duties;

now therefore, the Southern Chamber of Delegates does hereby pass this act to protect the public health and morals of the Southern Region.

TITLE II: LEGAL DUTIES

1. The Boring Legal Stuff Act shall be amended as follows:

BORING LEGAL STUFF ACT

...

5. In any Southern court where an affirmative defense of self-defense or defense of others if the person being defended would be eligible to similarly raise such affirmative defense is being offered, the southern court shall apply the common law castle doctrine and the common law stand-your-ground tests. No person being prosecuted for a crime of violence in any Southern Court shall be permitted to raise the affirmative defense of gay panic, wherein the unexpected discovery of the sex or sexual orientation of a person provoked such crime of violence.

2. Any person in the Southern Region, who shall find in a public place or upon his property any money valued over $10 or any property valued over $20 not his own that a reasonable person would conclude has been lost or misplaced by its true owner shall report and deposit such money or property with the local law enforcement agency or department where the money or property was found along with identifying information as to the time and location of discovery. If after 180 days, no person shall be identified as the owner of the money or property, then legal title of ownership to 80% of the money, with the balance escheating to the law enforcement agency holding the money, and 100% of the physical property shall be vested in the discoverer. For purposes of this provision, vehicles discovered in a public place shall not be eligible to have legal title of ownership transferred.

Any money or property transferred to a discoverer under this provision shall be excludable from any income tax charged in the Southern Region. Any lost or misplaced money or property subject to this provision that is not surrendered and reported to law enforcement pursuant to this provision shall be subject to a separate tax of 50% of the value of any income or gain.

No Southern Court shall hear any civil suit by a person seeking the return of or compensation for any money or property transferred pursuant to this act, except when due to legal disability, incompetence, gross negligence or wanton indifference by the law enforcement agency or department possessing such money or property, or physical impossibility to claim the money or property within the designated time period. No suit raising such allowable theories shall be heard by any Southern Court more than one (1) year after the elimination of any disability, incompetence or impossibility or the discovery of such negligence or indifference.

3. Any person in the Southern Region who shall witness a crime of violence committed within the Southern Region, shall be required to make a report of such crime to the local law enforcement agency or department where the crime occurred within 48 hours. The identity of any person reporting such crime shall be concealed from public disclosure, unless such person is subpoenaed to testify under oath in a legal proceeding. Any person so reporting or testifying in good-faith shall be immune from civil suit for such report or testimony. Any person discovered to have failed to report a crime of violence pursuant to this provision shall be subject to a civil penalty of $25 and court costs. The duty to make a report under this provision shall not apply to the victim of such crime of violence, undercover law enforcement officers, or any person that in reference to the perpetrator of the crime may successfully invoke a legal privilege against testifying against such perpetrator.

4. Any person in the Southern Region who is engaged in the following professions shall be required to report suspected criminal child abuse to the local law enforcement agency or department where such suspect abuse is occurring:

A. Doctors, physicians, nurses, EMS Workers, and other healthcare or medical workers;
B. Social workers and counselors;
C. Teachers, principals, school employees, university or college employees, and daycare providers, whether public or private;
D. Law Enforcement and firefighters;
E. Persons employed by the Regional government, or by any State or locality therein; and
F. Media broadcasters, journalists, reporters, and other media workers

Any person discovered to have failed to report illegal child abuse pursuant to this provision shall guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by not more than six (6) months imprisonment, as well as a fine of $5,000 and restitution.

5. This Act shall take effect immediately.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Since all delegates have voted, voting is now closed.

Bill passes 5-0-0 and awaits gubernatorial action

SOUTHERN MEMORIAL MONTH ACT

TITLE I: PURPOSE

Whereas, our Region, our rights, and our lives have been selflessly protected through the blood of our valiant veterans, many of whom sacrificed their own lives so that we might be free; and

Whereas, the Southern Region has been a major contributor to the armed forces from the American Revolution through the Second Korean War; and

Whereas, to reduce the honor of the ultimate sacrifice of our sons and daughters down to a single day is offensive;

Now therefore, the Southern Chamber of Delegates does hereby pass this act to solemnize and honor veterans of the Southern Region who died or were wounded in combat.

TITLE II: SOUTHERN MEMORIAL MONTH

1. January of every year is hereby proclaimed to be Southern Memorial Month.

2. During Southern Memorial Month all Regional properties required by law to display the current official flag of the Southern Region shall likewise display any historical official flag of the Southern Region as well as a POW/MIA flag. Residents of the Southern Region, are likewise encouraged to display the POW/MIA Flag as well as the current and any historical official flags of the Southern Region during Southern Memorial Month as a show of dignity and respect to our fallen Southerners, civic unity, and Southern pride.

3. The Southern Regional government shall purchase 250,000 troy ounces of silver bullion and commission the minting of 250,000 non legal tender, silver, 1 troy oz commemorative tokens, to be sold to the public at $35 per token. Each token shall include on the obverse, "Southern Region 2022" as well as a sculpting to be approved by the governor, of Southern soldiers from any historic era engaged in glorious combat. Each token shall include on the reverse, the Official Southern Motto Emeritus as well as a sculpting to be approved by the governor, of Southern soldiers from any historic era engaged in glorious combat. All proceeds from the sale of these tokens shall be dedicated to a fund for the purchase of any flags necessary to fulfill the provisions if this Act.

4. This Act shall take effect immediately.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Since all delegates have voted, voting is now closed.

Bill passes 5-0-0 and awaits gubernatorial action

PROMOTING HOLY COMMUNION ACT

TITLE I: PURPOSE

Whereas, Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah and Son of God, commands His flock to eat of His flesh and drink of His blood in remembrance of Him; and

Whereas, it is the duty of the Southern Region to protect the health, safety, welfare, and morals of the people in the South;

Now therefore, be it resolved and ordained that the Southern Region passed the Act to protect the moral health of His flock.

TITLE II: EUCHARIST

1. The Black Mirror Act shall be amended as follows:

BLACK MIRROR ACT

Be it enacted:

1.)  Violating any portion of this act shall be punishable as a Class 2 felony.

2.) The creation of a human clone or human-animal hybrid is hereby prohibited.

3.) The piloting or release of micro-drones into the low-altitude airspace above public lands or landowners who have not given express consent is hereby prohibited. For the purposes of this act, micro-drone is defined as any unmanned aircraft which weighs less than 1 pound or is smaller than a 12 OZ beverage can. Low-altitude airspace is defined as any space above the ground not occupied by a permanent fixture or structure which is not subject to FAA regulation.

4.) Cannibalism is hereby prohibited. Cannibalism shall not include taking part in the sacrament of the eucharist or the holy communion.

5.) The sale of aborted fetal tissue is hereby prohibited.

6.) This law shall take effect immediately.

2. This Act shall take effect immediately.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Since all delegates have voted, voting is now closed.

Bill passes 5-0-0 and awaits gubernatorial action

OUR KANSAS ACT

Whereas, under the Atlasian Constitution, the State of Kansas is listed as part of the Southern Region; and

Whereas, under the Southern Constitution, the State of Kansas is listed as part of the Southern Region; and

Whereas, Kansas is an integral component of the Southern Region with our greatest affections;

Now therefore be it ordained and resolved by the Southern Region the following:

1. Kansas is a Southern State.

2. Any attempts to invade, terrorize, or annex the State of Kansas, whether by Jayhawk invaders, foreign powers, or greedy Regional governments shall be considered an act of war.

3. In the event that any such attempts are made to invade, terrorize, or annex the State of Kansas, the Southern Governor is hereby authorized to mobilize and deploy the Southern National Guard or the unorganized militia to protect the State of Kansas and the territorial integrity of the Southern Region.

4. This act shall take effect immediately.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Since all delegates have voted, voting is now closed.

Bill passes 5-0-0 and awaits gubernatorial action

FIGHTING BIG BANKS REDUCES GAS PRICES ACT

1. The Boycott Boycott Act shall be amended as follows:

BOYCOTT BOYCOTT ACT

1: This bill shall be known as the Boycott Boycott Act

2: “Boycott” is hereby defined as refusing to deal with, terminating business activities with, or otherwise taking any action that is intended to penalize, inflict economic harm on, or limit commercial relations with Israel or a company, because the company a.) conducts business with Israel, b.) engages in the exploration, production, utilization, transportation, sale, or manufacturing of fossil fuel-based energy, c.) does not commit or pledge to meet environmental standards beyond applicable law, d.) engages in the transportation, sale, or manufacturing of firearms, or e.) Conducts business with another company listed under a.) – d.) herein; but does not include an action taken for bona fide business or economic reasons or a boycott that is specifically required by federal or Regional law.

3: Any government in the Southern Region shall reserve the right to terminate any contract where a contractor falsely represented their participation in a boycott of Israel as defined herein.

4: All future contract bids shall include these regulations in the bid solicitation.

5: This act shall take effect sixty (60) days from the passage of this law. The Southern Region shall transfer any financial assets it has deposited or invested with a financial institution participating in a boycott as defined herein by January 1, 2023. The Southern Regional Government shall keep a publicly accessible list of all companies participating in a boycott as defined herein.

2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2022.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Since all delegates have voted, voting is now closed.

Bill passes 5-0-0 and awaits gubernatorial action

AGE OF MAJORITY TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS ACT

TITLE I: PURPOSE

Whereas, the age of majority in the Southern Region is nineteen (19) and has been for several years; and

Whereas, occasionally legislators forget this fact when writing bills; and

Whereas, it is important to have a consistent age of majority across all Southern laws:

Now therefore, the Southern Region does hereby adopt this act to correct earlier misstatements about the age of majority.

TITLE II: CORRECTIONS

1. The Family Opportunity Fund Act shall be amended as follows:

FAMILY OPPORTUNITY FUND ACT

Section 1 (Title & Definitions)
i. The title of this act shall be, the “Family Opportunity Fund."
ii. The "beginning of each month" is the 1st
iii. "Child" is defined as a person aged 17 18 or younger.
…

2. The Supporting Southern Families Act shall be amended as follows:

SUPPORTING SOUTHERN FAMILIES ACT

…

Section II. Definitions

i. “Household” shall refer to the primary residence occupied by at least one parent or legal guardian of any child or children of 17 18 years of age or younger.
…

3. The Vaccination Lottery Act shall be amended as follows:

VACCINATION LOTTERY ACT

…

Section II. Eligibility

i. Atlasians who have established residency in the Southern Region are eligible to benefit from the lottery system.
ii. The minimum age of eligible recipients is 18 19 years.
iii. Only upon administration of a second vaccination dosage can the willing member become a participant.

…

4. The Bessell-NeverAgain Transgender Rights Act of 2017 shall be amended as follows:

BESSELL-NEVERAGAIN TRANSGENDER RIGHTS ACT OF 2017

…

Section 4 (Age and Parental/Guardian Consent)

i. At or over age 18 19, any person may request a change to their gender identity.

ii. For individuals under the age of 18, who desire a identity change, without one or both legal guardians approval, a guardian ad litem will be assigned to help come to a consensus opinion between them.
…

5. The Youth Curfew Abolition Act shall be amended as follows:

YOUTH CURFEW ABOLITION ACT

Be it enacted:

Section 1: Definition

1. "Youth curfew law" shall be defined as a law or ordinance established by a regional, state, or local government which prohibits or restricts persons of a certain age (usually under age 18 19) from being outside in public during a certain time of day (usually at night or during school hours), assuming that a state of emergency is not in place.
…

6. The Lawyers Without School Act shall be amended as follows:

LAWYERS WITHOUT SCHOOL ACT

…

Section II – Options

     Any citizen of the South, over the age of 18 19, who has obtained a high school, is eligible to take the bar exam if they have completed the following requirements
1.   Graduated from an accredited law school in Atlasia
2.   Completes a Law Office Apprenticeship Program in the South
…

7. This act shall take effect July 1, 2022.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Since all delegates have voted, voting is now closed.

Bill passes 5-0-0 and awaits gubernatorial action

CROWDFUNDING REFORM ACT

1. No donation-based crowdfunding platform operating in the Southern Region that permits users to solicit for and donate to charitable causes for which there is no reward or consideration offered in exchange for a donation shall unfairly interfere with such donations. Unfair interference shall include the impoundment, seizure, forfeiture, and misappropriation of funds donated to a non-fraudulent charitable cause. Any such funds shall be promptly transferred to the intended donee, or if such transfer is not possible promptly refunded to the donors with an accompanying communication of such refund and the reason why the fund transfer did not occur. Unfair interference shall also include the refusal to host lawful charitable causes based on the race, sex, disability, or political affiliation of the solicitor or the intended recipients, or the granting of preferential advertising, fee rates, or fund delivery priority for such reasons.

2. No donation-based crowdfunding platform operating in the Southern Region that permits users to solicit for and donate to charitable causes for which there is no reward or consideration offered in exchange for a donation shall authorize or complete a transfer of funds from a donor to a donee without first disclosing of all fees charged to the donor and donee by the crowdfunding platform, including the amounts and purposes of such fees.

3. No person in the Southern Region may have their bank accounts frozen or seized merely for having donated to a charitable cause on a donation-based crowdfunding platform. The Southern Attorney General is hereby authorized to prosecute violations of this

4. This act shall take effect on April 1, 2022.

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Since all delegates have voted, voting is now closed.

Bill passes 5-0-0 and awaits gubernatorial action

PETA ISN'T ETHICIAL ACT

TITLE I: ANIMAL SHELTERS

1. The Animal Welfare Act shall be amended as follows:

..

ANIMAL WELFARE ACT

Be it enacted

1.) Violating any provision in this act unless otherwise stated herein shall be a Class 1 Misdemeanor.  

2.) The practice of horse soring is hereby prohibited.

3.) It shall be unlawful to house pigs in gestation crates which do not permit the animal to stand, lie down, and turn around.

4.) It shall be unlawful to house chickens in battery cages which do not permit the animal to move.

6.) Any special State or local regulations on the retail sale of iodine or chlorohexidine are hereby repealed.

7.) No animal hospital, shelter, reserve, humane society, or organization dedicated to the promotion of animal welfare may administer euthanasia to animals, except in cases where the animal is suffering from a painful injury or condition for which there is no realistic alternative treatment or realistic chance of recovery. In addition to the those penalties set by law for a Class 1 misdemeanor, a violation of this provision shall result in the six (6) month suspension of the offender's license to practice veterinary medicine if applicable and upon a third such conviction, the closure of the facility of any hospital, shelter, reserve, humane society, or organization at which illegal euthanasia has occurred, the forfeiture of any animals owned, harbored, or in the care, custody, and control of such offender, placement upon the Southern Animal Abuser Registry (SAAR), as well as a five (5) year revocation of the offender's veterinary license, if applicable. It shall be unlawful to euthanize a mammal or bird vertebrate animal, in an unnecessarily prolonged or painful manner.

...

2. This title shall take effect immediately.