The White House: tack50 Administration

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Mr. President, the following bill just has passed and as deputy PPT it is my job to inform you.

GROW DEMOCRACY ACT

1. The Federal Electoral Act of 2019 shall be amended as follows:

...

Section 4. Voter Eligibility

1. A registered voter shall only be eligible to vote in a federal 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 federal 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.

...

2. This act shall take effect immediately.

Sponsor: Spiral
Debate on this bill is now open

Bill passes

8-7-0-3

- Laki, Deputy PPT

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Mr. President, the following bill has just passed and as deputy PPT it is my job to inform you

COMPANY TOWNS ARE BAD ACT

1. No private company, corporation, LLC, or other business entity that is permitted to exercise municipal or governmental functions over any real property owned by such entity shall be eligible to receive federal funds reserved for local governments

2. Cities with 0 residents defined by the most recent federal census shall have municipal and governmental functions operated by the county or state in which the city is located.

3. This act shall take effect January 1, 2024.

Passed 9-0-0-9 in the Atlasian Senate assembled.

- Laki Deputy PPT

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Mr. President, the following bill has just passed and as deputy PPT it is my job to inform you

NO DIRTY AGREEMENTS ACT

1. As used in this Act, the following terms shall be defined as such:

A. Nondisclosure clause means a provision in a contract or agreement that requires the parties to the contract or agreement not to disclose or discuss conduct, the existence of a settlement involving conduct, or information covered by the terms and conditions of the contract or agreement.

B. Nondisparagement clause means a provision in a contract or agreement that requires one (1) or more parties to the contract or agreement not to make a negative statement about another party that relates to the contract, agreement, claim, or case.

C. Sexual assault dispute means a dispute involving a nonconsensual sexual act or sexual contact, as such terms are defined in 18 USC 2246 of title 18, or similar applicable Regional or State law, including when the victim lacks capacity to consent.

D. Sexual harassment dispute means a dispute relating to conduct that is alleged to constitute sexual harassment under applicable Federal, Tribal, or State law.

2. With respect to a sexual assault dispute or sexual harassment dispute, no nondisclosure clause or nondisparagement clause agreed to before the dispute arises shall be judicially enforceable in instances in which conduct is alleged to have violated Federal, Regional, or State law.

3. Nothing in this Act shall prohibit a Region, State, or locality from enforcing a provision of law governing nondisclosure or nondisparagement clauses that is at least as protective of the right of an individual to speak freely, as provided by this Act.

4. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to supersede a provision of Federal, Regional or State Law that governs the use of pseudonyms in the filing of claims involving sexual assault or sexual harassment disputes.

5. Nothing in this Act shall prohibit an employer and an employee from protecting trade secrets or proprietary information.

6. All existing contracts with nondisclosure or nondisparagement clauses prohibited by the act are hereby declared to be against the public policy of Atlasia and shall be unenforceable and void as to the prohibited clauses.

7. This act shall take effect thirty (30) days from the date of passage

Passed 9-0-0-9 in the Atlasian Senate assembled.

- Laki, Deputy PPT

[LAKISYLVANIA]

This is a courtesy message to inform you that the Senate has passed the attached constitutional amendment and the Regions must now vote on it and have already done so. No action needs to be taken by you at this time.

AN AMENDMENT
To recognize the Indigenous Nations of Atlasia

Be it enacted by two-thirds of the Senate of the Republic of Atlasia assembled, and at least two-thirds of the Regions henceforth;

Section 1. Title

This legislation may be cited as the Indigenous Nations Relations Amendment

Section 2. Constitutional recognition of and Senate power to authorize relations with Indigenous Nations

Section 3 of the Fifth Constitution is hereby amended;

The Senate shall have the power, except where limited elsewhere by this Constitution,
to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, and to distribute the revenue thus collected;
to regulate foreign trade and inter-regional commerce;
to establish and maintain relations with the Indigenous Nations of Atlasia;
to establish uniform laws of naturalization;
...

This Amendment formally enshrines Atlasian recognition of Indigenous Nations in the Constitution, affirming current relations with them to be legal, and enables the Senate to advance Indigenous rights and sovereignty.

Passed 15-0-0-3 in the Atlasian Senate assembled.

- Laki, Deputy PPT

[LAKISYLVANIA]

This is a courtesy message to inform you that the Senate has passed the attached constitutional amendment and the Regions must now vote on it and have already done so. No action needs to be taken by you at this time.

LIMITING BALLOT CHICANERY AMENDMENT

Section 1.

Article 1, Section 4 of the Constitution is hereby amended:

All posts made in the voting booth shall be considered as ballots, and no citizen shall cast multiple ballots in any one election during the period the voting booth is open., upon penalty of the invalidation of their vote. Only the first ballot cast by an individual may be counted.

Section 2. Amendment to Federal Electoral Act of 2019
1. Effective on the date of ratification, the Federal Electoral Act of 2019 shall be amended as follows:

...

Section 6. Voting

...

6. No voter may edit their ballot once twenty minutes have passed since its casting, nor may they delete their own ballot - either of these actions render the voter and ballot invalid for the election.and neither that ballot nor any No other ballot cast by that a voter in the same election shall be counted other than the voter's first ballot.

...

This amendment is a measure to discourage voter intimidation by specifying the validity of any Atlasian's first recorded vote, free of outside influence.

Passed 13-0-0-5 in the Atlasian Senate assembled.

- Laki, Deputy PPT

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Mr. President, the following bill has just passed by a tiebreaking vote by the Vice President and as deputy PPT it is my job to inform you

Exploring the Oceanic Megapolis Act

Preamble:

Whereas the world is facing a crisis of overpopulation, climate change, and rising sea levels, and whereas the oceans are essential to the survival of our planet and its inhabitants, the following act is proposed to set up an exploratory commission to create an oceanic floating megalopolis which can mitigate the dangers of the ocean.


Section 1: Establishment of the Exploratory Commission

1.1 An exploratory commission shall be established to study the feasibility and potential benefits of creating an oceanic floating megalopolis.

1.2 The commission shall consist of experts in the fields of marine engineering, architecture, urban planning, environmental science, and other relevant fields.

1.3 The commission shall conduct research, evaluate potential risks and benefits, and propose a plan for the creation of the oceanic floating megalopolis.

1.4 The commission shall submit a report to the relevant governmental bodies within three years of the establishment of the commission.


Section 2: Funding

2.1 An amount of $50 million shall be appropriated for the establishment and operation of the exploratory commission described in Section 1.

2.2 The funds shall be allocated for the commission's research, report production, and operational expenses.

2.3 The funds may also be used to conduct pilot projects to test the viability of the oceanic floating megalopolis concept.


Section 3: Objectives

3.1 The commission shall study and evaluate potential benefits of the oceanic floating megalopolis, including but not limited to:

3.1.1 Providing a safe and sustainable living space for people affected by rising sea levels and natural disasters.

3.1.2 Developing new technology and techniques for oceanic engineering, marine ecology, and sustainable living.

3.1.3 Creating a new frontier for human development and expanding our knowledge of the oceans.


Section 4: Sunset Provision

4.1 This act shall expire three years after its enactment, or upon the submission of the commission's report to the relevant governmental bodies, whichever comes first.

Passed 4-4-4-6 in the Atlasian Senate assembled with the Vice President as tiebreaker.

- Laki, Deputy PPT

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Mr. President, the following resolution has just been ratified in the senate by a tiebreaking vote and as deputy PPT it is my job to inform you

Resolution ratifying a free trade treaty with several African nations


SENATE RESOLUTION


To ratify a free trade treaty with several African nations


Be it enacted by the Senate of the Republic of Atlasia

SECTION I. SCOPE

1.) This agreement shall apply to the trade in all goods between the nation of Atlasia and the nations of Botswana, Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia except for those herein listed.


2.) Any item prohibited from export by the Bureau of Industrial Security or any successor agency shall not be subject to the terms of this agreement.


3.) Any narcotic, drug, or substance prohibited from consumption under the laws of any member party shall not be subject to the terms of this agreement.


4.) Any animal or animal product prohibited from sale by the Endangered Species Act shall not be subject to terms of this agreement.


SECTION 2. NATIONAL TREATMENT AND MARKET ACCESS FOR GOODS


1.) Elimination of Duties - Except as otherwise provided in this agreement, each party shall progressively eliminate its customs duties on originating goods of the other party.


2.) Customs Value - Each party shall adopt and apply the provisions of the WTO Customs Valuation Agreement for the purposes of determining the customs value of goods traded between the parties


3.) Export Tax - Neither party shall adopt or maintain any duty, tax or other charge on the export of any good to the territory of the other party.


4.) Import and Export Restrictions - Neither party shall adopt or maintain any prohibition or restriction on the importation or exportation of any good of the other party, except as permitted by this agreement.


5.) Merchandise Processing Fee - Neither party shall adopt or maintain any merchandise processing fee for originating goods.


SECTION 3: ORIGIN DETERMINATIONS


1.) Chapter 3 of the Atlasia-Mozambique Free Trade Agreement, governing  rules for determining originating goods is hereby incorporated by reference.


SECTION 4: CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION


1.) Notice Requirements - Each party shall publish at least 30 days in advance any change to any of its rules or regulations for customs administration.


2.) Cooperation - Each party shall cooperate on the interpretation and dispute resolution of customs rules, regulations, and determinations


SECTION 5: SAFEGUARDS


1.) Anti-Dumping - If as a result of the reduction or elimination of any customs duty under the agreement, an originating good of the other party is being imported in such quantities, in absolute terms or relative to domestic production, and under such conditions that the imports of such originating good constitute a substantial cause of serious injury to a domestic industry producing a like or directly competitive good, such party may either: suspend the further reduction of any rate of customs duty provided for under this agreement for the good or increase the rate of customs duty on the good until such time that imports of the good stabilize at a sustainable rate.


2.) Government Enterprises and monopolies - Chapter 12 of the Atlasia- Mozambique Free Trade Agreement, governing rules for anticompetitive behavior is hereby incorporated by reference.


3.) Marketing Boards - Atlasia agrees to not treat agricultural marketing boards administered by Botswana, Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia as anti-competitive under the terms of this agreement, provided the net added value of such administration does not exceed 15% of fair market value.


4.) Intellectual Property - Botswana, Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia agree to abide by the intellectual property laws of Atlasia. This agreement hereby gives personal jurisdiction to Atlasian Courts over such violations occurring in Botswana, Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Botswana, Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia hereby agree to domesticate any judgment assessed under the terms of this agreement.


5.) Government Procurement - Neither party shall treat government procurement policies favoring domestic goods as anticompetitive under the terms of this agreement.


6.) Environmental barriers - Atlasia agrees not to enforce the terms of the Lacey act against any timber or other plant product exported by Botswana, Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia under the terms of this agreement.


7.) Quality Controls and Inspections - Neither party shall treat the neutral enforcement of generally applicable quality control laws as anticompetitive under the terms of this agreement.


8.) Countervailing Duties - If after this agreement is fully implemented, either party fails to comply with its terms, the other party may set countervailing duties proportionate to the fair market value of the unfair advantage afforded by the breaching party’s actions.


9.) Withdrawal - Either party may withdraw from this agreement six months after a declaration of intent to withdraw has been formally published by the head of state of the withdrawing party.


SECTION 6: TELECOMMUNICATION AND ELECTRONICS


1.) Chapter 9 of the Atlasia- Mozambique Free Trade Agreement, governing rules for telecommunications trade is hereby incorporated by reference.


SECTION 7: FINANCIAL SERVICES


1.) Chapter 10 of the Atlasia- Mozambique Free Trade Agreement, governing rules for financial services commerce is hereby incorporated by reference.


SECTION 8: BUSINESS VISAS


1.) Chapter 11of the Atlasia- Mozambique Free Trade Agreement, governing rules for temporary business visas is hereby incorporated by reference.


SECTION 9: DISPUTE SETTLEMENTS


1.) Chapter 20 of the Atlasia- Mozambique Free Trade Agreement, governing rules for dispute resolution is hereby incorporated by reference.


SECTION 10: IMPLEMENTATION


1.) This agreement shall take full effect 15 months from the date of passage.

Passed 7-7-1-3 in the Atlasian Senate assembled with the Vice President as tiebreaker.

- Laki, Deputy PPT

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Mr. President, it is my job as deputy PPT to inform you that the following act has passed in the senate.

The rules vote you objected to has passed and so did the passage of the bill as a consequence and the presidential veto has been overriden. The law becomes in effect immediately. No further action has to be taken by you at this time.

GROW DEMOCRACY ACT

1. The Federal Electoral Act of 2019 shall be amended as follows:

...

Section 4. Voter Eligibility

1. A registered voter shall only be eligible to vote in a federal 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 federal 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.

...

2. This act shall take effect immediately.

Passed 8-7-0-3 in the Atlasian Senate assembled.

Veto by president overriden by 12-5-0-1

- Laki, Deputy PPT

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Mr. President, the following bill has just passed and as deputy PPT it is my job to inform you

I STILL HAVE RIGHTS ACT

1. No emergency rule, regulation, or executive order issued by the President or any subordinate department or agency pertaining to shutdowns, lockdowns, quarantines, or social distancing shall apply to the hosting of religious services or ceremonies in a church, synagogue, or other place of worship which must be held in-person.

2. No emergency rule, regulation, or executive order issued by the President or any subordinate department or agency pertaining to shutdowns, lockdowns, quarantines, or social distancing shall prohibit businesses that sell firearms or ammunition from operating if within the same locality other types of businesses receiving similar or greater volumes of customers are not prohibited from operating.

3. Any emergency rule, regulation, or executive order issued by the President or any subordinate department or agency pertaining to shutdowns, lockdowns, quarantines, or social distancing shall not be enforced through the  discontinuance of utility services to any residence.

4. No emergency rule, regulation, or executive order issued by the President or any subordinate department or agency pertaining to shutdowns, lockdowns, quarantines, or social distancing shall interfere with public gatherings in an unequal, discriminatory, or viewpoint non-neutral manner.

5. No emergency rule, regulation, or executive order issued by the President or any subordinate department or agency pertaining to shutdowns, lockdowns, quarantines, or social distancing shall result in the closure of schools in an unequal, discriminatory, or viewpoint non-neutral manner.

6. This act shall take effect immediately.

Passed 8-2-1-7 in the Atlasian Senate assembled.

- Laki Deputy PPT

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Mr. President, the following bill has just passed and as deputy PPT it is my job to inform you

RACISM IN COLLEGE IS BAD ACT

1. No Atlasian federal funds shall be paid to any college or university that does any of the following:

A. Offers housing or roommate selections on the basis of race;

B. Conducts, sponsors, or permits ceremonies, events, or programs that exclude participants or attendees on the basis of race, sex, gender, or sexual orientation, with reasonable exceptions for matters pertaining to fraternities, sororities, and single-sex or sex-specific classes; or

C. Offers scholarships on the basis of race, sex, gender, or sexual orientation.
i. This section shall not interfere with scholarships targeting low-income families, school districts with high dropout rates, students from single-parent families, or students from families in which few or no members have attended college.

D. Condones discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, sex, gender, or sexual orientation.

E. Asks applicants of their criminal and disciplinary history during the initial admissions process.
i. After extending their conditional recommendation for admission, an admissions office may request information of the applicant regarding criminal and disciplinary history, authorize a background check, or gather information through the use of a consumer reporting agency.

2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023.

Passed 7-3-5-3 in the Atlasian Senate assembled.

- Laki Deputy PPT

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Mr. President, the following bill has just passed and as deputy PPT it is my job to inform you

PARDON CONTINUITY AMENDMENT

Article IV, Section 2 of the Atlasian Constitution shall be amended as follows:

Section 2.

The President shall have the power, except where limited elsewhere by this Constitution,

to grant reprieves and pardons for crimes committed under the laws of the Republic of Atlasia, but the Senate may rescind such pardons by a 2/3 vote provided such rescission occurs within one year of the issuance of the reprieve or pardon

...

Amendment Explanation

This amendment removes the ability of the Senate to rescind pardons and reprieves granted by the President after one (1) year to prevent bills of attainder.

Passed 11-2-1-4 in the Atlasian Senate assembled.

- Laki Deputy PPT

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Mr. President, the following bill has just passed and as deputy PPT it is my job to inform you

Atlasia Alcohol Official Classification Act

Section I. Title.

This bill shall be referred to as the “Atlasia Alcohol Official Classification Act of 2023”.


Section II. Definitions

A. An “Atlasian wine” shall be any wine made with 100% Atlasian-growngrapes.

B. A "Texas whiskey" shall be any whiskey made in Texas from 100% Texas-grown grain.

C. A "Pacific Northwest whiskey" shall be any whiskey made in Texas from 100% Oregon and/or Washington-grown grain.

D. An "Atlasian bourbon" shall be any bourbon made with 100% Atlasian-grown grains, especially and principally corn.

E. An "Atlasian-made liquor" shall be any liquor made with 100% Atlasian-grown grains, potatoes, or other produce and crops required for the production of various liquors.

F. An "Atlasian whiskey" shall be any whiskey made with 100% Atlasian-grown grains.

Section III. Wine Competition Establishment

A. Reds

I. A competition shall be held every 2 years with any winery being allowed to submit any of their Atlasian wine which shall fit the selected category produced within the previous eight years for judging. There is no limit to how many wines a winery may submit, but they must pay $3,000 for their first submission and $1,000 for any additional wine they submit. Each submission must include at least two cases of wines - the equivalent of twenty-four 750 ml bottles or 15 liters total.

II. The available wine categories for the competition are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Primitivo, Syrah and Shiraz, Barbera and Sangiovese, and Red Blends.

III. Each varietal of wine shall be judged by a grand panel of 10 wine experts, 5 celebrities, 5 politicians, and 5 ordinary citizens, selected at random from a pool of applicants. Each judge shall rank each wine on a scale of 0-1000.

     a. The judges for this contest shall have eight members drawn from each region with new members being chosen every four years. Term limits for judgeships shall be unlimited.
     b. The twenty-fifth member of the panel shall be a foreign guest of Atlasia's red wine industry.

IV. The five wines within each category with the highest sum scores shall be permitted to use the “Superior Growth” label on all of that category of wines produced within the next nine years’ vintages. The next ten highest-scoring wines within each category shall be permitted to use the “First Growth” label on all of that category of wines produced within the next nine years’ vintages, and with “Second Growth” on the next twenty highest-scoring wines, and so on with “Third” and “Fourth Growths”, each doubling in size of the category. If there are fewer than 200 submissions in any category, then the highest number of categories that can be entirely filled by the submissions shall be the final one.  

B. Whites and Roses

I. A competition shall be held every 2 years with any winery being allowed to submit any of their Atlasian wine which shall fit the selected category produced within the previous five years for judging. There is no limit to how many wines a winery may submit, but they must pay $2,500 for their first submission and $1,000 for any additional wine they submit. Each submission must include at least two cases of wines - the equivalent of twenty-four 750 ml bottles or 15 liters total.

II. The available wine categories for the competition are: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Muscat and Moscato, Rosés, and White Blends.

III. Each varietal of wine shall be judged by a grand panel of 10 wine experts, 5 celebrities, 5 politicians, and 5 ordinary citizens, selected at random from a pool of applicants. Each judge shall rank each wine on a scale of 0-1000.

     a. The judges for this contest shall have eight members drawn from each region with new members being chosen every four years. Term limits for judgeships shall be unlimited.
     b. The twenty-fifth member of the panel shall be a foreign guest of Atlasia's white and rose wine industries.

IV. The five wines within each category with the highest sum scores shall be permitted to use the “Superior Growth” label on all of that category of wines produced within the next six years’ vintages. The next ten highest-scoring wines within each category shall be permitted to use the “First Growth” label on all of that category of wines produced within the next six years’ vintages, and with “Second Growth” on the next twenty highest-scoring wines, and so on with “Third” and “Fourth Growths”, each doubling in size of the category. If there are fewer than 200 submissions in any category, then the highest number of categories that can be entirely filled by the submissions shall be the final one.  

C. Champagnes and Sparkling Wines

I. A competition shall be held every 2 years with any winery being allowed to submit any of their Atlasian wine which shall fit the selected category produced within the previous five years for judging. There is no limit to how many wines a winery may submit, but they must pay $5,000 for their first submission and $1,500 for any additional wine they submit. Each submission must include at least two cases of wines - the equivalent of twenty-four 750 ml bottles or 15 liters total.

II. The available wine categories for the competition are: Blanc de blancs, Blanc de noirs, Cuveés, Prosecco, and Sweet Sparkling Wines.  

III. Each varietal of wine shall be judged by a grand panel of 10 wine experts, 5 celebrities, 5 politicians, and 5 ordinary citizens, selected at random from a pool of applicants. Each judge shall rank each wine on a scale of 0-1000.

     a. The judges for this contest shall have eight members drawn from each region with new members being chosen every four years. Term limits for judgeships shall be unlimited.
     b. The twenty-fifth member of the panel shall be a foreign guest of Atlasia's champagne and sparkling wine industries.

IV. The five wines within each category with the highest sum scores shall be permitted to use the “Superior Growth” label on all of that category of wines produced within the next six years’ vintages. The next ten highest-scoring wines within each category shall be permitted to use the “First Growth” label on all of that category of wines produced within the next six years’ vintages, and so on with “Second Growth” on the next twenty highest-scoring wines.

Section IV. Liquor Competition Establishment

A. Bourbon

I. A competition shall be held every 5 years with any bourbon distillery being allowed to submit any of their Atlasian bourbon which shall fit the selected category produced within the previous ten years for judging. There is no limit to how many bourbons a distillery may submit, but they must pay $3,000 for their first submission and $1,000 for any additional bourbon they submit. Each submission must include at least two cases of bourbon - the equivalent of twenty-four 1-liter bottles or 24 liters total.

II. The available bourbon categories for the competition are: Cask Strength, High Corn and Small Batch, High Rye, Single Barrel, and Wheated.

III. Each variety of bourbon shall be judged by a grand panel of 10 bourbon experts, 5 celebrities, 5 politicians, and 5 ordinary citizens, selected at random from a pool of applicants. Each judge shall rank each bourbon on a scale of 0-1000.

     a. The judges for this contest shall have eight members drawn from each region with new members being chosen every ten years. Term limits for judgeships shall be unlimited.
     b. The twenty-fifth member of the panel shall be a foreign guest of Atlasia's bourbon industry.

IV. The five bourbons within each category with the highest sum scores shall be permitted to use the “Premier Grade Bourbon” label on all of that category of bourbon produced within the next ten years. The next ten highest-scoring bourbons within each category shall be permitted to use the “Superior Grade Bourbon” label on all of that category of bourbon produced within the next ten years, and with “Excellent Grade Bourbon” on the next twenty highest-scoring bourbons.

B. Non-Bourbon Whiskey

I. A competition shall be held every 5 years with any whiskey distillery being allowed to submit any of their Atlasian non-bourbon whiskey which shall fit the selected category produced within the previous ten years for judging. There is no limit to how many whiskeys a distillery may submit, but they must pay $3,000 for their first submission and $1,000 for any additional whiskey they submit. Each submission must include at least two cases of whiskey - the equivalent of twenty-four 1-liter bottles or 15 liters total.

II. The available whiskey categories for the competition are: Corn Whiskey, Malt Whiskey, Rye Malt Whiskey, Rye Whiskey, and Wheat Whiskey.

III. Each variety of whiskey shall be judged by a grand panel of 10 whiskey experts, 5 celebrities, 5 politicians, and 5 ordinary citizens, selected at random from a pool of applicants. Each judge shall rank each whiskey on a scale of 0-1000.

     a. The judges for this contest shall have eight members drawn from each region with new members being chosen every ten years. Term limits for judgeships shall be unlimited.
     b. The twenty-fifth member of the panel shall be a foreign guest of Atlasia's whiskey industry.

IV. The five whiskeys within each category with the highest sum scores shall be permitted to use the “Premier Grade Whiskey” label on all of that category of whiskey produced within the next ten years. The next ten highest-scoring whiskeys within each category shall be permitted to use the “Superior Grade Whiskey” label on all of that category of whiskey produced within the next ten years, and with “Excellent Grade Whiskey” on the next twenty highest-scoring whiskeys.

C. Non-Whiskey Liquors

I. A competition shall be held every 5 years with any liquor distillery being allowed to submit any of their Atlasian non-whiskey liquor which shall fit the selected category produced within the previous ten years for judging. There is no limit to how many liquors a distillery may submit, but they must pay $3,000 for their first submission and $1,000 for any additional liquor they submit. Each submission must include at least two cases of liquor - the equivalent of twenty-four 1-liter bottles or 15 liters total.

II. The available liquor categories for the competition are: Brandy, Gin, Rum, and Vodka.

III. Each variety of liquor shall be judged by a grand panel of 10 liquor experts, 5 celebrities, 5 politicians, and 5 ordinary citizens, selected at random from a pool of applicants. Each judge shall rank each liquor on a scale of 0-1000.

     a. The judges for this contest shall have eight members drawn from each region with new members being chosen every ten years. Term limits for judgeships shall be unlimited.
     b. The twenty-fifth member of the panel shall be a foreign guest of Atlasia's liquor industry.

IV. The five liquors within each category with the highest sum scores shall be permitted to use the “Premier Grade Liquor” label on all of that category of liquor produced within the next ten years. The next ten highest-scoring liquors within each category shall be permitted to use the “Superior Grade Liquor” label on all of that category of liquor produced within the next ten years, and with “Excellent Grade Liquor” on the next twenty highest-scoring liquors.

Section V. Funding and Logistics

I. Competitions shall be hosted by cities across Atlasia, with applications by cities to be submitted to and selected by the Department of Internal Affairs. The cities shall be expected to provide a space for hosting and housing, with funds received from competition applicants to be directed to the host city’s event budget.

II. Usage of the scoring “Growth” terms and all other contest label terms, e.g., Premier Grade Bourbon, Superior Grade Whiskey, etc. shall be enforced by the Department of Justice, with a $100,000 fine for an illegal use of the label as well as an additional $100 per bottle for wine and $50 per bottle for non-wine alcohols sold without having met the competitive qualification for use of the label.

Section VI. Implementation

The first competition shall be held jointly for all types of alcohol included in this bill in 2024.

Passed 12-0-2-4 in the Atlasian Senate assembled.

- Laki Deputy PPT

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Mr. President, the following bill has just passed and as deputy PPT it is my job to inform you

DRUG PRICE TRANSPARENCY ACT

1. Any Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) in Atlasia shall be required to publicly disclose complaints made against the PBM.

2. Any company that markets or sells prescription drugs in the Atlasia shall be required to publicly disclose any price increase no less than thirty (30) days prior to such increase along with an explanation for such price increase.

3. No company that markets or sells prescription drugs in Atlasia shall be permitted to enter into any agreement with a doctor, pharmacist, PBM, or insurance company prohibiting such person from mentioning lower-cost generic drugs.

4. The Prescription Drug Affordability Board is hereby established. The President shall appoint the members of the Board. The Board shall meet in open session at least four (4) times annually. Members of the Board shall disclose any conflicts of interest. The Board shall identify prescription, generic, and other drugs, that are offered for sale in Atlasia and, at the Board's discretion, conduct an affordability review of any prescription drug product.

5. This act shall take effect thirty (30) days from the date of enactment.

Passed 14-0-0-4 in the Atlasian Senate assembled.

- Laki Deputy PPT

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Mr. President, the following bill has just passed and as deputy PPT it is my job to inform you

ANTARCTICA PROTECTION ACT

1. The Atlasian government shall possess the duty and authority to protect and provide emergency assistance to Atlasian citizens legally operating upon Antarctica or the surrounding waters thereof.

2. This act shall take effect 30 days from passage.

Passed 11-0-2-5 in the Atlasian Senate assembled.

- Laki Deputy PPT

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Mr. President, the following bill has just passed and as deputy PPT it is my job to inform you

SCIENCE INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING ACT

1. The Atlasian government is hereby authorized to expend up to an extra $150 Million through 2025 for facility upgrades, equipment purchases, staff salary increases, and other similar costs at National Laboratories and Technology Centers and other federally funded scientific research and development centers.

2. This act shall take effect immediately.

Passed 13-0-0-5 in the Atlasian Senate assembled.

- Laki Deputy PPT

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Mr. President, the following bill has just passed and as deputy PPT it is my job to inform you

PAY-GO RESOLUTION

Article VI of the Official Senate Rules and Procedures shall be amended as follows:

...

6. ) All bills appropriating money must have any funding increases and decreases connected to a specific federal department or program budget. Any bill that includes a funding change that is not connected to a specific federal department budget shall not be able to be brought to a final vote.

...

Passed 5-5-1-7 in the Atlasian Senate assembled with the Vice President as tiebreaker.

- Laki, Deputy PPT

[LAKISYLVANIA]

I figure that Senate rules amendments don't need presidential approval but I could be wrong.

It's possible, i'm not sure, but well it got signed anyway. So i guess it doesn't really matter.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Mr. President, the following bill has just passed and as deputy PPT it is my job to inform you

The Iliamna Volcano Drilling Act

Preamble:

Whereas volcanoes play a critical role in shaping the Earth's geology and provide important insights into Earth's history and geology, and whereas Iliamna Volcano in Alaska contains one of the world's most interesting and potentially accessible magma chambers, and is relatively remote and not located near any major population centers, with no major communities within about 30 miles of the volcano, the following act is proposed to fund research to drill into the magma chamber of Iliamna Volcano.

Section 1: Purpose
1.1 The purpose of this act is to authorize the Atlasian Geological Survey (AGS) to conduct research on the Iliamna Volcano by drilling into its magma chamber.

Section 2: Funding
2.1 An amount of $2 billion is appropriated to fund the research described in this act.
2.2 The funds will be used for the design, construction, and operation of a drilling platform capable of drilling into the magma chamber.

Section 3: Research Plan
3.1 The AGS will be responsible for the planning, preparation, and execution of the research.
3.2 The AGS will develop a detailed research plan, including a timeline, milestones, and contingencies.
3.3 The research plan will be subject to review and approval by the relevant government agencies and scientific experts.
3.4 The research will be conducted in accordance with all relevant laws, regulations, and ethical standards.

Section 4: Reporting Requirements
4.1 The AGS will provide regular reports to the relevant congressional committees on the status of the research.
4.2 The reports will include information on progress, challenges, and any adjustments to the research plan.
4.3 The reports will also include the results of scientific analyses of the data obtained from the research.

Section 5: Sunset Provision
5.1 This act will remain in effect until the research is completed.
5.2 Upon the completion of the research, the AGS will submit a final report to the relevant congressional committees summarizing the results of the research.

Conclusion:
The act described above proposes funding and enabling research to drill into the magma chamber of Iliamna Volcano in Alaska, one of the world's most interesting and potentially accessible magma chambers, which would provide valuable insights into the Earth's geology, history, and volcanic activity. Iliamna Volcano is relatively remote and not located near any major population centers, with no major communities within about 30 miles of the volcano. The relatively shallow depth of the magma chamber, which recent studies suggest may be only 5-6 km below the surface, would also reduce the cost and complexity of drilling. Additionally, there are no extensive hydrothermal systems associated with the volcano, which could make it less risky for drilling or other scientific exploration.

Addendum:

Map of the location



Source: Iliamna (Volcano.edu)

Passed 12-0-1-7 in the Atlasian Senate assembled.

- Laki Deputy PPT

[LAKISYLVANIA]

I figure that Senate rules amendments don't need presidential approval but I could be wrong.

It's possible, i'm not sure, but well it got signed anyway. So i guess it doesn't really matter.

Westy is correct, Tack cannot act on Senate rules changes so his veto is meaningless.

I made the error, but PARDON CONTINUITY AMENDMENT apparently needed 12 aye votes and also not a presidential signature.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Mr. President, the following bill has just passed and as deputy PPT it is my job to inform you

HAZARDOUS WASTE CLEANUP ACT

1. The Atlasian government is hereby authorized to expend up to an extra $250 Million through 2025 for cleaning up hazardous waste sites identified on the National Priorities List administered by the Superfund.

2. This act shall take effect immediately.

Passed 9-0-0-9 in the Atlasian Senate assembled.

- Laki Deputy PPT

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Mr. President, the following bill has just passed and as deputy PPT it is my job to inform you

HAZARDOUS WASTE CLEANUP ACT

1. The Atlasian government is hereby authorized to expend up to an extra $250 Million through 2025 for cleaning up hazardous waste sites identified on the National Priorities List administered by the Superfund.

2. This act shall take effect immediately.

Passed 9-0-0-9 in the Atlasian Senate assembled.

- Laki Deputy PPT

Mr. President?

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Mr. President, the following legislation has passed the Senate and awaits your signature or veto:

AN ACT
To improve the AtlasCare system.

Be it enacted by the Senate of the Republic of Atlasia assembled

Section 1. Title

1. This act may be cited as the Atlascare Improvement Act


Section 2. Pay Hike

There shall be a 15%, across the board pay increase for all nurses and critical care workers employed under AtlasCare.

Section 3. Rural Hospital Network Expansion

 $150,000,000 is to be appropriated for FY2024 for the expansion of rural hospital networks via construction of new hospitals in rural areas.  $50B is to be appropriated to each region.

Section 4. Incentive Payments

There shall be established a “Rural Care Bonus Program”, abbreviated as “RCBP”. Doctors and Nurses who work in rural hospitals shall be offered a  $850 monthly bonus. $82,000,000,000 is to be allocated for each FY for this program.

Section 5. Prescription Drug Subsidy Expansion

Part 1, Section 4 of the Reforming and Regionalizing Public Healthcare Act of 2017
is amended as follows:

a. Each family or individual who legally resides in the Republic of Atlasia shall receive a tax credit for full compensation of any yearly amount for which prescription drugs exceeded $1000 in out-of-pocket costs.

Section 6. Funding

1. The FUTA Tax is hereby increased to 6.25%

2. The Net Investment Income Tax is increased to  5.5%

Section 7. Implementation

This act shall take effect immediately

Passed in the Senate of the Republic of Atlasia 11-0-0-6

x Laki, Deputy PPT

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Mr. President, the following legislation has passed the senate and awaits your signature or veto:

REPEAL OF POSSE COMITATUS PROTECTION

1. The following act hereby is immediately repealed

POSSE COMITATUS PROTECTION ACT

1. No activity, including the provision of any equipment or facility or the assignment or detail of any personnel, shall include or permit direct participation by a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, or other federal armed forces in a search, seizure, arrest, or other similar activity or general police power, unless participation in such activity by such member is otherwise expressly authorized by law. For purposes of this section, other federal armed forces includes but is not limited to the National Guard when under federal chain of command. For purposes of this section, other similar activity or general police power, includes but is not limited to the enforcement of any drug law, the enforcement of any quarantine, mass vaccination, or mass incarceration of citizens or lawfully present aliens, or the performance or facilitation of any abortion; however the performance of border patrol activities or the detainment of unlawfully present aliens shall not be prohibited, pursuant to law.

2a. Whenever there is an insurrection in any Region against its government or the government of a State or locality therein, the President may, upon the request of the Governor of the Region concerned, call into Federal service such of the militia of the other Regions or States, in the number requested by the Governor of the Region concerned, and use such of the armed forces, as the President considers necessary to suppress the insurrection.

2b. The President may not invoke the authority under this section unless the President, the Secretary of State, and the Attorney General certify to the Senate that the Governor of the Region concerned has requested the aid described to suppress an insurrection. Such authority shall lapse within ten (10) days unless an extension is approved by a majority vote of the whole Senate. The President shall not be permitted to redeploy armed forces under this section after this ten (10) day period against the same insurrection without prior approval by a majority vote of the whole Senate.

3a. Whenever violent obstructions, combinations, or assemblages, or rebellion against the authority of Atlasia, make it impracticable to enforce the laws of Atlasia in any State by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings, and the Governor of the Region in which such State is located requests aid in or expressly refuses to disperse or desist such violent obstructions, combinations, or assemblages, or rebellion, the President may call into Federal service such of the militia of any other State or Region, and use such of the armed forces, as the President considers necessary to enforce those laws or to suppress the rebellion.

3b. The President may not invoke the authority under this section unless the President, the Secretary of State, and the Attorney General certify to the Senate that the Region in which the State concerned is located has requested such aid or is unable or unwilling to suppress the violent obstruction, combination, or assemblage, or rebellion against the authority of Atlasia. A certification under this paragraph shall include:

i. A description of the circumstances necessitating the invocation of the authority under this section.

ii. Demonstrable evidence that the Region concerned has requested aid or is unable or unwilling to suppress such unlawful obstruction, combination, or assemblage, or rebellion against the authority of Atlasia, and a legal justification for resorting to the authority under this section to so suppress.

iii. A description of the mission, scope, and duration of use of members of the armed forces under this section.

3c. Such authority, when at the request of the Governor of the Region concerned, shall lapse within ten (10) days unless an extension is approved by a majority vote of the whole Senate. The President shall not be permitted to deploy armed forces under this section without the request of the Governor of the Region concerned or redeploy armed forces under this section after this ten (10) day period against the same violent obstruction, combination, or assemblage, or rebellion, without prior approval by a majority vote of the whole Senate.

3d. A Region that has lawfully seceded or exercised its authority pursuant to the laws of Atlasia shall not be considered a violent obstruction, combination, or assemblage, or rebellion under this act.

4.The President, in every possible instance, shall consult with the Senate before invoking the authority under this act. Correspondingly, any request by the President to the Senate made pursuant to this act shall be expeditiously considered by the Senate, and shall immediately come to the floor for debate and vote regardless of if there are any empty legislative slots available at the time of the request.

5. Notwithstanding, and without prejudice to, any other provision of law, any individual or entity, including a Regional, State, or local government, that is injured by, or has a credible fear of injury from, the use of members of the armed forces under this act may bring a civil action for declaratory or injunctive relief to the Supreme Court. In any action under this section, the Supreme Court shall have jurisdiction to decide any question of law or fact arising under this act, including challenges to the legal basis for members of the armed forces to be acting under this act. It shall be the duty of the Supreme Court to advance on the docket and to expedite to the greatest possible extent the disposition of any matter brought under this section.

6. The President may not avoid any of the provisions of this act by authorizing the militia or armed forces of a Region to enter into the territory of another Region, without the request of the Governor of such other Region, outside of the federal chain of command. Any such authorization shall be considered an activity or deployment subject to the provisions of this act.

7. The National Guard of Nyman shall be subject to the command of the government thereof to the same extent as any other State.

8. 10 U.S.C. 251 -  253 and 10 U.S.C. 275 are hereby repealed and replaced by this act.

9. This act shall take effect immediately.

Passed 8-0-0-11 in the Atlasian Senate assembled.

- Laki, Deputy PPT

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Mr. President, the following legislation has passed the senate and awaits your signature or veto:

Senate Bill
to Respect a woman's Right to Choose and to codify legal precedent
Be it enacted in the Senate of Atlasia

Section 1; Title
1. This Act may be cited as the 'Right to Choose Act'.
Section 2; Findings
1. The Senate of the Republic of Atlasia finds that-
a) Access to reproductive care is a fundamental right for all citizens of the Republic of Atlasia
b) That the termination of a pregnancy constitutes reproductive care
c) That the termination of a pregnancy is a substantially private and personal decision
d) That this procedure ought to be made with proper physical and psychiatric healthcare considerations
e) That any procedure directly or tangentially related to pregnancy termination ought to be regulated, standardized, and protected
f) That the regions of Atlasia ought to be able to enact laws past a certain point in pregnancy that regulate the practice and administration of pregnancy termination
g) That reproductive care be provided to mothers who opt to carry a pregnancy to term, including all medically necessary pre and postpartum care
Section 3; Statutory right to choose
1. It shall be unlawful for any regional, local, or national subdivision thereof, to ban pregnancy termination procedures prior to twenty (20) gestational weeks of a pregnancy.
2. Any regional, local, or national subdivision thereof, may enact statute that regulates access to pregnancy termination services prior to twenty (20) gestational weeks of a pregnancy, so long as access to reproductive care, including pregnancy termination, is not substantially impeded or infringed.
3. Any regional, local, or national subdivision thereof, may enact statute that restricts, bans, or otherwise regulates access to pregnancy termination services on or past twenty (20) gestational weeks of a pregnancy.
Section 4; Implementation
1. This law shall go into effect immediately upon passage.

Passed 8-4-1-4 in the Atlasian Senate assembled.

- Laki, Deputy PPT

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Mr. President, the following legislation has passed the senate and awaits your signature or veto:

LAND LAW, LIMITATIONS, AND LIABILITY ACT

1. The statute of limitations for a claim brought under the Quiet Title Act is hereby declared to be jurisdictional rather than procedural. No federal court may hear any case under the Quiet Title Act if the statute of limitations for filing such claim has been exceeded.

2. The Bullmoose Act shall be amended as follows:

...

8. It shall be considered an illegal antitrust violation for any foreign country or any investment firm or financial management service, other than a financial institution, to own or hold an ownership stake exceeding 10% in more than 50,000 residential rental properties or in more than 50,000 acres of commercial farmland, or for any foreign country or subordinate entity thereof to own or hold an ownership stake exceeding 10% in more than 10,000 residential rental properties or in more than 10,000 acres of commercial farmland. The Attorney General may prosecute such violations which shall be punishable by a fine of $10,000.00 per day. A court of competent jurisdiction shall also order any appropriate equitable relief, including but not limited to the divestment of residential rental properties or commercial farmland exceeding the cap.

3. The Secretary of State and Secretary of Internal Affairs shall be permitted to sell federally-owned superfund sites to entities agreeing to remediate and assume liability for the property on an expedited timeframe.

4. This act shall take effect thirty (30) days from the date of passage.

Passed 9-1-0-7 in the Atlasian Senate assembled.

- Laki, Deputy PPT