Southern Legislation Introduction Thread

[tmthforu94]

Starting up a new thread...

[tmthforu94]

Sponsoring these bills, which I co-authored with our Governor:

Southern COVID-19 Vaccination Act

Section 1: Vaccination Infrastructure
1. $2 billion shall be allocated from regional reserves for the purchase of the Moderna vaccine approved by the FDA.
2. $500 million shall be allocated to secure physical infrastructure to securely hold and distribute the vaccines.
3. Training shall begin immediately to ensure healthcare worked at distribution and holding locations are trained and capable to properly store and administer all vaccines.
4. The Southern Government shall set up and maintain a website that will provide vaccination resources to residents, included, but not limited to: distribution locations, reasons to get the vaccine and tracking on what percentage of residents in each state have received the vaccine.

Section 2: Distribution Priorities
1. The distribution of the vaccine shall be divided into phases to ensure it is dispersed based on importance and need:
a. Phase 1 - Front-line healthcare workers, ambulance drivers, cleaners, first responders and all individuals working at distribution and storage locations.
b. Phase 2 - Those determined to have underlying conditions that put them at a significantly higher risk, those with two or more chronic conditions, those aged 65 and above living in group living facilities, all individuals age 80 and over.
c. Phase 3- Critical workers in high risk situations, including: teachers, child care workers, all remaining healthcare workers, those with underlying conditions that put them at a moderately higher risk.
d. Phase 4 - All individuals working in the service and other industries whose job requires working at a physical location and all people living in prisons, jails and detention centers.
e. Phase 5 - All remaining Southern residents who opt in to take the vaccine.

Section 3: Advertising Campaign
1. $50 million shall be allocated from regional reserves to launch a public advertising campaign encouraging Southern citizens to get vaccinated according to what phase they qualify for.


Section 4: Implementation
1. This act is effective immediately upon passage.

Southern COVID-19 Regulations Act

Section 1: School Regulations
1. All Southern Schools may operate in-person learning with the following conditions:
a. Masks must be worn at all times by students and staff, except when eating or drinking.
b. Social distancing practices must be encouraged at all times, with a minimum 6 feet apart rule enforced. Students and staff must regularly undergo temperature checks and must be sent home and participate virtually if temperature is deemed too high or if they are exhibiting other COVID-19 related symptoms.
c. In the event of a positive test from a student or staff member on-site, all operations must immediately move to virtual learning until affected areas have been cleaned and it is determined safe to return.
2. Repeated failure to comply with Section 1 of this act may result in loss of government funding.

Section 2: Business Regulations
1. Regional offices shall operate at a 50% capacity limit.
2. All Southern businesses may operate at 50% capacity with the following conditions:
a. Masks must be worn at all times by staff and guests, except when eating or drinking.
b. Social distancing practices must be encouraged at all times, with a minimum 6 feet apart rule enforced for separate parties.
3. These capacity restrictions shall be baseline numbers - local governments may adjust to a higher capacity percentage as needed based on the risk in their area.

Section 3: Implementation
1. This legislation shall go into effect immediately and will expire on March 31st, 2021, at which time, reauthorization by the legislature shall be required.

[tmthforu94]

Regional Election Posting Requirements Act

Section 1
Section 2 of the Comprehensive Southern Electoral Act is hereby amended to read:
1. A registered voter shall only be eligible to vote in a Southern regional election if they have been registered continuously for at least one hundred and sixty-eight hours immediately prior to the commencement of the election.
2. A registered voter shall only be eligible to vote in a Southern regional election if they have made at least eight posts from their account in the fifty six days (eight weeks) immediately prior to the commencement of the election.

Section 2
This bill shall go into effect on March 1, 2021.

[tmthforu94]

Supporting First-time Homeowners Act

Section 1 - Eligibility
1. Any individual in the Southern region may open an account with a financial institution and designate the account as a first-time home buyer savings account.
2. This account shall be used to cover eligible expenses for the purchase or construction of a primary residence located within the Southern region.
3. The designated beneficiary must be a first-time homeowner who has not been the primary owner of a residence previously.

Section 2 - Tax Benefit
1. The following limits shall apply:
a. The maximum contribution to an account in any tax year shall be $3,000 for an individual and $6,000 for a married couple filing a joint return.
b. the maximum amount of all contributions into an account in all tax years shall be $24,000 for an individual and $48,000 for a married couple filing a joint return.
c. the maximum total amount in an account shall be $50,000.
2. Individuals or married couples may claim a tax deduction for the total amount each year. The money may remain in the account for an unlimited duration.
3. Should the individual choose not to apply the funds of this account towards the purchase or construction of a home, the current income tax rate shall be applied to the account and a 10% penalty.

Section 3 - Implementation
1. The act shall go into effect beginning with the 2022 fiscal year.

[tmthforu94]

Southern National Guard Act
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.
4. All components of this act shall be funded through the defense portion of the Southern Budget.
5. This act shall take effect immediately upon passage and signature by the Governor or other legislative process as outlined in the Southern constitution.

[tmthforu94]

Chamber Resolution Condemning the Virginia Governor's Statements
Be it resolved:
1. The Southern Chamber hereby condemns and repudiates the racist comment made by Virginia Governor Emily DeSantis during a Zoom call with educators two days ago.
2. Racism has no place in politics and society, and as a region, more must be done to educate citizens on the impact of such language.