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Dispatch → Factbook → Overview
SG88
The Assembly of The South Pacific is the primary legislative authority of the Coalition. The principal function of the Assembly is to pass legislation (laws). However, beyond legislating, the Assembly also serves as a place where:
Cabinet elections are held;
Elections for the Chair of the Assembly;
Confirmation of High Court Justices: and
Other similar appointments (such as those to the Legislator Committee and the Council on Regional Security).
Law-making
The Assembly makes new laws or amends laws currently in place. To make or amend a law, a Legislator first introduces the bill (a proposal) in the Assembly’s Main Chamber. Other Legislators will then comment and make suggestions to the bill. After an appropriate amount of time, the bill can be brought to a vote. A bill becomes law if a certain majority (simple or supermajority) vote to pass the bill. However, if the bill affects the gameside community of TSP, it will be voted on in a regional poll. (Read more here)
Formation of Government
The Cabinet of TSP is elected from among and by Legislators. The Cabinet is responsible for managing crucial aspects of TSP’s governance, such as foreign, regional, and military affairs. A nation needs to be a Legislator to both contest an election for a Cabinet position as well as vote in that election. Many successful candidates for Cabinet have previously contributed to the Assembly in meaningful ways, such as writing bills or participating in debates.
Oversight of Government
The Assembly acts as a check and balance on the Government as part of a Separation of Powers. A Separation of Powers is where different groups of individuals possesses powers unique to each group, to avoid any one group from monopolising power. In TSP, the Assembly makes laws, the Cabinet administers the region, and the High Court interprets and applies the law.
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| OVERVIEW | PROPOSAL | DEBATE | MOTION(S) TO VOTE | VOTE | FINALISING THE VOTE |
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To be more exact:
A General Matter is any bill which relates to general laws, amendments, resolutions, and appointments; whilst
A Constitutional Matter is any bill which deals with constitutional laws, constitutional amendments, resolutions dealing with matters of constitutional law, and treaties with foreign regions.
General Matter | Constitutional Matter | |
Step 1: | A bill for a general law, amendment, resolution, or appointment is presented in the Assembly | A bill for a constitutional law, constitutional amendment, resolution dealing with matters of constitutional law, or treaty is presented in the Assembly |
Step 2: | The bill is debated for a minimum of three days | The bill is debated for a minimum of five days |
Step 3: | The bill receives a Motion to Vote by a Legislator and second Motion by another Legislator | The bill receives a Motion to Vote by a Legislator and second Motion by another Legislator |
Step 4: | The bill goes to vote for three days | The bill goes to vote for five days |
Step 5: | Bills regarding general laws, amendments, resolutions, and treaties require a simple majority of those voting to pass. Appointments, unless otherwise specified, require a simple majority of those voting to pass. | Bills regarding constitutional laws, constitutional amendments, and resolutions dealing with matters of constitutional law require a three-fifths supermajority of those voting to pass. Treaties require a simple majority of those voting to pass. |
Proposals may originate in two locations:
Private Halls of the Assembly — for proposals which are highly sensitive such as Declarations of War, Treaties, and Security Matters; and
Main Chamber of the Assembly — for everything else.
Any Legislator may make a proposal to the Assembly.
The Local Council can also propose amendments to the Charter, altering its constitutional structure. However, these amendments must go to the amendment process in the Assembly before they can be enacted.[TBA]
1. Articles should be numbered and bolded (1) Sections should be numbered with parentheses, unless there is only one section without any sub-sections. (2) Example of another Section.
a. Sub-sections should be lettered with lowercase letters.
b. Example of another sub-section.
1. Drama Llama farms (1) Only authorised animal farms may sell Drama Llama to The South Pacific's citizens. etc …
a. Drama Llama farms must adhere to both World Assembly and The South Pacific animal protection and conservation laws.
b. Farms shall undergo spot checks to ensure compliance with the aforementioned laws.
[align=center][b]Title[/b][/align] [align=center][i]Subtitle.[/i][/align] [b]1. Article[/b] (1) Section a. Sub-section
(10) This is an example of an amendment. Typically, Legislators would make a note of which Article and Section number of which Act that they seek to amend. For any additions of words, they will highlight this in green text. However, should they seek to subtract/delete words, they will format the words in red text with a strike-through.
(7) The Local Council representative will have the power to cast have an additional weighted block vote worth of one-fifth 20% of all non-abstaining votes cast on bills, not including the block vote, giving them a one-sixth share of the total vote, excluding abstentions. The Chair will calculate how many votes are allotted to the representative at the close of each vote, rounding them to the nearest whole number, and will then add the representative’s total votes to the final tally.
[color=#27AE60]BBCode for additions to text[/color] [color=#E74C3C][s]BBCode for subtractions/deletions to text[/s][/color]
The bill regarding a General Matter has a minimum debate period of three days. Comparatively, the minimum debate period for a bill relating to a Constitutional Matter is five days.
If a debate leads to multiple bills or resolutions which address the same issue, the Chair will separately and simultaneously bring these competing bills or resolutions to vote, following the standard voting procedure. The bill or resolution that receives the most votes in favour and meets minimum requirement for passage will become law.
Following the completion of the minimum debate period, any Legislator may Motion to Vote. This Motion must then be Seconded by another Legislator before a vote can commence.
Votes relating to a General Matter lasts three days. Comparatively, the voting period for votes regarding a Constitutional Matter is five days.
Local Council
Any bill passed by the Assembly which affects the gameside community or its homeside governance does not immediately become law. Rather, it proceeds to the Local Council who will arrange for it to be debated and voted upon by the gameside community. Only after it has passed the gameside vote can a bill become law.[TBA]
[1] Charter, Article XIII. Amendment Process, Section 2: ‘Any amendment to the Charter or constitutional laws that directly affects the gameside community or its home governance, as determined by the Chair of the Assembly, must also be debated and voted upon by the gameside community. Additionally, the Local Council may originate amendments to its constitutional structure, which must be debated and voted upon in the Assembly.’
[2] Charter, Article I. Constitutional Laws, Section 4: ‘Any constitutional law that directly affects the gameside community or its home governance, as determined by the Chair of the Assembly, must also be debated and voted upon by the gameside community.’; Charter, Article III. Rights and Freedoms, Section 5: ‘No law may be passed by the Assembly that directly affects the activities of the in-game community without the consent of the in-game community.’; Charter, Article XIII. Amendment Process, Section 2: ‘Any amendment to the Charter or constitutional laws that directly affects the gameside community or its home governance, as determined by the Chair of the Assembly, must also be debated and voted upon by the gameside community. Additionally, the Local Council may originate amendments to its constitutional structure, which must be debated and voted upon in the Assembly.’
Office | Nation (Forum Username) |
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Deputy Chair | |
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Deputy Chair |