SB 117-50: Empowering the People of the Pacific Act - Passed

[Attorney General, Senator-Elect, & Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Empowering the People of the Pacific Act

Section 1: Recognition of Indigenous Pacific Islanders

1.1 Rights for Indigenous Pacific Islanders:
This Act formally recognizes Chamorros, Samoans, Refaluwasch (or Carolinians) as the original inhabitants of Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands, respectively. This Act ensures specific rights pertaining to cultural practices, traditional lands, and resources. Traditional lands are defined as areas inhabited or used by these indigenous groups prior to the arrival of Western explorers, encompassing lands used for habitation, agriculture, fishing, and other cultural practices. Rights include unrestricted access to traditional lands, the right to participate in decisions regarding resource management on these lands, social services, economic opportunities, and political representation. Violations of these rights will incur a fine of up to $10,000 and/or up to one year of imprisonment.

1.2 Protection of Sacred Sites:
It shall be illegal to desecrate or harm sites of cultural, historical, and spiritual significance. Violations will result in a fine of up to $100,000 and/or up to two years imprisonment. Businesses in violation may face the revocation of permits and licenses.

Section 2: Preservation of Pacific Islander Languages

2.1 Preservation:
Efforts shall be made to preserve, promote, and revitalize the Chamorro, Samoan, and Carolinian languages. The federal government shall allocate $50 million over a five-year period to support educational programs, immersion schools, and other initiatives.

2.2 Establishing Immersion Schools:
Immersion schools shall be established across the territories, covering all grade levels. $25 million from the federal government shall fund these schools over five years.

2.3 Supporting Existing Language Programs:
$5 million over five years will be designated to support existing language programs and initiatives led by native speakers.

2.4 Developing Online Resources:
An online portal, funded by $10 million over five years, will offer a range of materials for learning Chamorro, Samoan, and Carolinian.

2.5 Promoting Languages in Public Life:
Public institutions and businesses in the territories will be required to incorporate these languages in signage and daily operations.

2.6 Cultural Events and Media:
$5 million over five years will fund cultural events that highlight the significance of these languages.

2.7 Collaboration with Global Indigenous Language Programs:
Collaboration with other global indigenous language revitalization programs will share best practices.

Section 3: Support for Land Initiatives

3.1 Land Trust Expansion:
Legislation shall expand land trusts in the territories, with $20 million funding over five years.

3.2 Tourist Activity Tax:
A 5% tax on tourist activity and hotel occupancy will support land trusts and social services.

Section 4: Implementation

4.1 Support:
The Republic of Atlasia will provide necessary resources and support for this Act's implementation, including institutions, legal frameworks, and funding.

The total funds allocated within this bill, for a five-year implementation period, are as follows:

Preservation and promotion of indigenous languages: $50 million
Expansion of land trusts: $20 million
The total allocation sums up to $70 million over a five-year period.

Sponsor: Laki
Occupying: Slot 7

[Attorney General, Senator-Elect, & Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

uh bump? Any debate?

[DKrol]

I’d appreciate either the sponsor or someone from the Pacific area to speak on the need for this bill.

[LAKISYLVANIA]

We passed a bill recently related to this but regarding Hawaii. I feel like we need to give other regions within the Republic of Atlasia the same approach and therefore two bills have been introduced: one for native Atlasian rights in Alaska and one for native Atlasian rights within the other Pacific territories. I got the criticism before that I only cared about Hawaii, but this should be a first step into extension elsewhere and mainland Atlasia will receive the same level of care but during the next session in case i get re-elected.

[fhtagn]

More people speak Filipino in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands than Chamorro or Carolinian. This is racist against Filipinos.

[Attorney General, Senator-Elect, & Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

motion for a final vote

[Attorney General, Senator-Elect, & Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

A final vote is beginning.

Aye

[DKrol]

Aye

[fhtagn]

Nay

[LAKISYLVANIA]

Aye

[At-Large Senator LouisvilleThunder]

Aye

[Coastal Elitist]

Nay

[Vice President Christian Man]

Abstain

[Dr. MB]

Aye

[reagente]

Nay

[Deep Dixieland Senator, Muad'dib (OSR MSR)]

Nay

[RFayette]

Nay

[Vice President Christian Man]

Switching to Aye

[nerd73]

Aye

[Jay 🏳️‍⚧️]

Abstain

[Esteemed Jimmy]

Nay

[FT-02 Senator A.F.E. 🇵🇸🤝🇺🇸🤝🇺🇦]

Aye

[Joseph Cao]

Aye.

[Attorney General, Senator-Elect, & Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Passes 9-6-1-2

Empowering the People of the Pacific Act

Section 1: Recognition of Indigenous Pacific Islanders

1.1 Rights for Indigenous Pacific Islanders:
This Act formally recognizes Chamorros, Samoans, Refaluwasch (or Carolinians) as the original inhabitants of Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands, respectively. This Act ensures specific rights pertaining to cultural practices, traditional lands, and resources. Traditional lands are defined as areas inhabited or used by these indigenous groups prior to the arrival of Western explorers, encompassing lands used for habitation, agriculture, fishing, and other cultural practices. Rights include unrestricted access to traditional lands, the right to participate in decisions regarding resource management on these lands, social services, economic opportunities, and political representation. Violations of these rights will incur a fine of up to $10,000 and/or up to one year of imprisonment.

1.2 Protection of Sacred Sites:
It shall be illegal to desecrate or harm sites of cultural, historical, and spiritual significance. Violations will result in a fine of up to $100,000 and/or up to two years imprisonment. Businesses in violation may face the revocation of permits and licenses.

Section 2: Preservation of Pacific Islander Languages

2.1 Preservation:
Efforts shall be made to preserve, promote, and revitalize the Chamorro, Samoan, and Carolinian languages. The federal government shall allocate $50 million over a five-year period to support educational programs, immersion schools, and other initiatives.

2.2 Establishing Immersion Schools:
Immersion schools shall be established across the territories, covering all grade levels. $25 million from the federal government shall fund these schools over five years.

2.3 Supporting Existing Language Programs:
$5 million over five years will be designated to support existing language programs and initiatives led by native speakers.

2.4 Developing Online Resources:
An online portal, funded by $10 million over five years, will offer a range of materials for learning Chamorro, Samoan, and Carolinian.

2.5 Promoting Languages in Public Life:
Public institutions and businesses in the territories will be required to incorporate these languages in signage and daily operations.

2.6 Cultural Events and Media:
$5 million over five years will fund cultural events that highlight the significance of these languages.

2.7 Collaboration with Global Indigenous Language Programs:
Collaboration with other global indigenous language revitalization programs will share best practices.

Section 3: Support for Land Initiatives

3.1 Land Trust Expansion:
Legislation shall expand land trusts in the territories, with $20 million funding over five years.

3.2 Tourist Activity Tax:
A 5% tax on tourist activity and hotel occupancy will support land trusts and social services.

Section 4: Implementation

4.1 Support:
The Republic of Atlasia will provide necessary resources and support for this Act's implementation, including institutions, legal frameworks, and funding.

The total funds allocated within this bill, for a five-year implementation period, are as follows:

Preservation and promotion of indigenous languages: $50 million
Expansion of land trusts: $20 million
The total allocation sums up to $70 million over a five-year period.

Wall of Shame Vote 45:

Razze up to 2
Lord Richard up to 1
AFE reset to 0