LGC 12.12 - Don't Encourage Drug Use Act - STATUTE

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Section I: NPC Recall Elections Act

1. LGC 1.11, NPC Recall Elections Act, is hereby repealed as NPC elections are no longer simulated.

Section II: Excise Tax Rates for Certain Products

1. LGC 11.40, the No Unjust Taxation Act, is hereby repealed.

2. An excise tax shall be applied or adjusted for the following substances and products:

   a. all substances and products containing tetrahydrocannabinol and/or any of its derivatives: 5%
   b. all substances and products containing tobacco or nicotine: 15%
   c. all substances and products containing alcohol: 15%
   d. all substances and products containing cocaine, psilocybin, opiates or opioids, or amphetamines that are
   otherwise legal but purchased without a prescription: 25%
   e. all substances and products where multiple aforementioned substances are combined shall have a cumulative
   nominal excise tax applied and are not included in the excise tax cap provisions.

Section III: Excise Tax Cap

1. To avoid over-taxation on the products outlined in Section II-2a through II-2f, the above tax rates will be complementary with the federal budget, thus creating a tax cap that:

   a. if federal tax rates are higher than the Lincoln tax rate, the Lincoln rate shall not be applied.
   b. if federal tax rates are enacted, repealed, or adjusted, the Lincoln rate shall be adjusted accordingly.

Section IV: Stipulations

1. All provisions of this bill shall immediately go into effect upon passage.
2. No provisions of Section II-2g with respect to combined sugar or carbohydrate composition by fluid ounce shall apply to any individual restaurant or bar's specific menu-offered liquid alcoholic beverages that also contain a minimum of 4% ABV and that are offered "on tap", "by the drink" or otherwise as a single serving.

Occupying: Slot 1 of 10
Sponsor: Speaker Dwarven Dragon

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

As LGC 12.10 was voted down, I have introduced the more narrowly tailored version as suggested by Laki for us to deliberate on.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Motion for a final vote

(Yes, I will ensure the Special election winner is allowed to vote)

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Reminder that the No Unjust Taxation Act eliminated a totally unnecessary flat sales tax in Lincoln. We are running a budget surplus in this region, so there is no need to haphazardly increase taxes.

Curiously, the language in this bill does not care to mention the sales tax whatsoever, only the vice tax portion. Again, if you wish to increase the vice tax on alcohol, tobacco, etc, that is a fair debate, but to re-institute a financial burden on working families in unconscionable.

I would encourage the government of Lincoln oppose this measure, and if you seek to raise the vice taxes, to introduce a new bill on the matter that specifically addresses this concern.

Respectfully, considering other legislation like ChristianMan Care, the Anti-Corruption Act, the Consumer Protection Act, the Affordable Energy Infrastructure Plan, and the Lincoln Solar and Wind growth Act, I am not sure to what extent we are actually running a surplus anymore.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

A vote on this legislation is beginning.

AYE

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

2 Ayes, 2 Nays, 1 Abstain. The Governor shall break the Tie.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

The bill is passed, 3-2-1, and awaits the further action of the governor.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Interesting. At a glance, I am open to this. Would welcome feedback from the other deputies on this.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

As there appears to be no debate going on, I suppose it's time to open the vote on the Redraft.

Aye

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Members are advised that amending the redraft would open the full Slate of options up to the Governor again. They could issue another redraft, send the bill to the people, etc. Under the current situation, if we adopt the redraft that is the end of it, and if we reject it the Governor's options are limited to signing or vetoing the original bill.

I will also note that timings of votes on redrafts do not require motions and are thus at discretion of the Speaker.

However, I will recognize the gentleman's statement as a unanimous consent request.

Is there objection to voiding the ongoing vote and entertaining an amendment to the redraft?

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Hearing no objection the vote is voided and the amendment will be considered. Is there objection to the amendment?

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Amendment Adopted

Motion for a final vote

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

A vote on the (new) bill is beginning.

Aye

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Passes 4-0-1

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Does this legislation apply a sin tax on caffeine and carbohydrates or not?

Really not sure what the rationale for treating all carbohydrates in liquid form as a "drug" is, anyway.  Would this apply to protein shakes since protein can in some circumstances be converted by the body into carbohydrates (especially if you're following a "low-carb diet" lol)?  Maybe would have been better to leave food out of it altogether!

The caffeine, carbs, and sugar provisions were mostly struck from the bill by the Fairbol Amendment. I will be amending another bill to repeal the section that was left in in error.