Rescinded Rules for an Underdeveloped Legislature and Efficient Systems (RULES) Act

[Superpacman04]

A
Bill
To

Make provision for rules governing the Parliament of Stratham.

The Parliament of Stratham enacts:

Section 1. Short Title, Commencement, Reasoning

(1) This Act may be cited as the Rules for an Underdeveloped Legislature and Efficient Systems Act.
(2) This Act may also be cited as the RULES Act.
(3) This Act shall come into force immediately upon its signage.
(4) The Parliament of Stratham lacks structure, procedural rules, and so on. This Act, therefore seeks to ameliorate the unstructured system which currently persists in the Parliament.

Section 2. Rules of the Parliament of Stratham

Rule I: The Speaker of Parliament

(1) The Speaker of Parliament shall be elected by a majority of Members at the start of each Parliamentary term.
(A) If there becomes a vacancy in the Speakership, a new election will be held within one week to fill the vacancy.
(B) The Speaker of Parliament shall appoint a Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
(2) The Speaker shall be charged with upholding the order and procedures of Parliament.
(3) In the case that the Speaker of Parliament is unable to be present they may delegate their duties to the Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
(A) If the Speaker is unable to serve for more than 5 days then the Speaker may delegate their duties to the Deputy Speaker for a maximum of ten days at a time.
(B) If the Speaker fails to delegate their duties for more than one week the Deputy Speaker shall automatically assume the duties of the Speaker.


Rule II: Subpoenas

(1) Any Committee of the Parliament shall be entitled to require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and testimony of a witness, and may also require the procurement of records, correspondence, memorandums, and documents as it considers to be necessary.
(A) The Chair of the relevant Committee shall have the sole power to issue a subpoena.
(2) The Chair of the Relevant Committee shall have the power to issue a written citation of contempt if an individual does any of the following:
(A) Refuses to comply with any active subpoena or produce documents requested;
(B) Misleads or materially obstructs a committee of Parliament;
(C) Acts in a manner that insults the dignity of Parliament.
(3) If a simple majority of present members of the relevant committee vote in favor of such a citation it shall be sent to the Speaker who shall present the citation to the full Parliament. Members of Parliament shall then vote whether or not to approve the citation which shall already have punitive measures laid out.


Rule III: Organization of Committees

(1) Each Member of Parliament shall serve on at least one Standing Parliament Committee.
(2) The Standing Parliament Committees are as follows:
(A) The Parliamentary Committee for Finance, Labor, and Commerce (FLC)
(B) The Parliamentary Committee for Infrastructure, Construction, and Agriculture (ICA)
(C) The Parliamentary Committee for Education, Health, and Social Concerns (EHSC)
(D) The Parliamentary Committee for Ethics, Government Oversight, Judiciary, and Rules (EGOJR)


Rule IV: Composition of Committees

(1) There shall be three to five members on each standing Parliament Committee.
(2) The Speaker shall give each party “slots” on the various Parliamentary Committees which shall be proportional to the party composition of the whole Parliament.
(3) The various party leaders shall then appoint members from their own party to fill these slots.
(A) The Speaker shall then directly appoint members without party affiliation to their committees.
(4) Upon notification by the Speaker, each party leader must submit their committee assignments to the Speaker within 48 hours.
(A) If a party leader fails to supply their assignments in the allotted time, the Speaker may distribute their party’s members into their slots.
(5) The composition of each committee shall be proportional to the overall party composition of Parliament at the discretion of the Speaker.
(6) The Speaker shall select each Committee Chair and the Deputy Speaker shall select each Committee Ranking Member.
(A) If a Committee Chair becomes vacant then the Speaker shall select a new Committee Chair
(B) The Speaker may dismiss a Committee Chair at any time for any reason.
(7) No member may be the Committee Chair or Ranking Member of more than one Committee.
(8) The Committee Chair shall have the same powers as the Speaker when Chairing their Committee.
(9) The Ranking Member shall serve as the Chair during the absence of the Chair.
(A) The Chair must notify the Speaker before taking a leave of absence.
(10) The Chair of each Committee may prepare a report regarding legislation within their committee.
(A) The Ranking Member may also prepare a Minority report.
(11) In the event of a tie in committee, the Speaker shall cast the tie breaking vote.
(12) Committees created under the The Parliamentary Committee Standards Act shall be governed by these rules, and shall be regarded as Special Committees.


Rule V: Legislative Process

(1) Members of Parliament shall submit legislation to the Parliamentary Docket in the relevant forum section and Discord channel as determined by the Speaker.
(2) The Speaker shall have full authority over the Parliamentary Docket and may alter the order of legislation.
(A) A Discharge Petition may be submitted to rush any legislation to a floor vote if it contains the following:
(i) The signature of a majority of members;
(ii) The name of the legislation under consideration.
(3) The Speaker shall assign legislation to Committee(s), or may elect to rush the legislation past the Committee stage.
(A) The Speaker may assign legislation to multiple committees, but a piece of legislation may only be read in one committee at any given time. The Speaker shall indicate what order in which a piece of legislation shall pass through committees.
(4) Amendment proposal periods within committee shall be 24 hours long followed by 24 hours of amendment proposal voting as needed, and committee votes shall be 24 hours long unless otherwise prescribed by the Chair or by the Speaker.
(A) Votes may be closed early by the Chair if all members have voted.
(B) Amendment votes and final committee votes shall take place concurrently.
(C) Amendment proposals may only be made by Committee members and must be made as a motion which must be seconded by another committee member.
(5) Amendment proposals on the floor may be accepted by the original bill author, voting on floor amendments shall be 24 hours long as needed, and floor votes shall take place for the constitutionally required period of time.
(A) Votes may be closed early by the Speaker of Parliament if all members have voted.
(B) For a vote to be considered binding, a quorum constituting two-thirds of all members must be present.


Rule VI: Censures

(1) Any Member may introduce a resolution to censure another Member of Parliament, a Government Official, or citizen of Stratham no more than once per month.
(2) The Censure of a Member will result in the loss of any committee memberships, and will bar them from holding a leadership position in Parliament for the remainder of the term.
(3) All resolutions seeking to censure a Member, Government Official, or citizen of Stratham shall immediately be rushed to the floor.


Rule VII: Amendments in Bad Faith

(1) No amendment shall be submitted that:
(A) Strikes the enacting clause or amends it to a date further than 3 months beyond the implementation date, or otherwise seeks to delay the implementation of the bill beyond reason.
(B) Seeks to amend words, tenses, letters, or other grammatical errors to change the meaning of, or make incoherent, the piece of legislation.
(C) Adds germane language, or tries to ensure the failure of that piece of legislation.
(2) While in Committee it shall be the duty of the Chair to interpret this Rule.
(3) While on the floor it shall be the duty of the Speaker to interpret this Rule.
(4) Any Member of Parliament may object to a ruling of the Speaker, or Committee Chair, at which point reasoning must be provided by the Speaker, or Committee Chair.
(A) If the Speaker, or Committee Chair, fails to provide their reasoning within the amendment voting period then the ruling shall be declared null and void.


Rule VIII: Rule Supremacy

(1) These rules shall serve as the most powerful governing document of Parliament second only to the Constitution of the Republic of Stratham.
(2) It is the Speaker’s duty to enforce these rules.
(A) The Speaker may temporarily amend or nullify parts of these rules to ensure the efficient operation of the Parliament.
(i) Any modification to the rules made by the Speaker may be overturned by a petition signed by a majority of Members.


Rule IV: Parliamentary Conduct

(1) Parliamentary Conduct shall be maintained by the Speaker.
(2) Members of Parliament must at all times keep to Parliamentary Conduct.
(3) No member shall:
(A) Speak unless recognized by the Speaker;
(B) Disrupt the proceedings of Parliament;
(C) Use defamatory or otherwise demeaning language directed at any member of Parliament;
(D) Physically attack, or attempt to attack another Member; or
(E) Directly address other Members of Parliament.
(4) Members shall always address the Speaker preceding their remarks.
(5) The Speaker may remove members of Parliament for violation of any rules from the Parliament Chamber during a debate.
(A) The Member being removed must be warned before the Speaker can order their removal.

Rule X: Motions and Executive Actions

(1) Any Member may make the following motions at the appropriate time;
(A) Move to Amend Legislation,
(B) Move to Commit Legislation to a Standing Committee
(C) Move to Postpone to a Certain Time,
(D) Move to Limit Debate,
(E) Move to Reconsider Legislation,
(F) Move to Rescind, and
(G) Move to Override an Executive Order or Veto.
(2) All motions must receive a second from another Member.
(3) Motions A, B, C, E, and F may be adopted with unanimous consent, or a majority vote of present members.
(4) Motion D and G shall require the support of two-thirds of members present.
(5) A Member may make a motion to request a hearing of an Executive Nominee.
(A) The relevant executive nominee shall not be compelled to testify, and no hearing shall last more than forty-eight (48) hours.

Rule XI: Rule Amendment

(1) These rules may be amended by a Resolution passed in Parliament with a two-thirds majority.
(2) The structure of the Amendment Process shall be as follows:
(A) The Speaker shall rush any amendment resolution to the floor if it contains the signature of a majority of Members.
(B) The Speaker shall then open the floor to voting for the remainder of that day's session.

Section 3. Severability Clause

(1) If any section of this Act is deemed unconstitutional, the remaining sections shall remain in force.

Authored and Sponsored by Superpacman04 MP.

 

[Cherub54321]

This bill has received Prime Ministerial approval.

 

[Matthew100x]

Parliament has updated the section 2, Rules, utilizing rule XI Rule Amendment. The new rules are as follows.

Rule I: Speaker of Parliament and Deputy Speaker of Parliament

(1) The Speaker of Parliament within two weeks of being appointed, shall appoint a Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
(2) The Speaker shall be charged with upholding the order and procedures of Parliament.
(3) In the case that the Speaker of Parliament is unable to be present they may delegate their duties to the Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
(A) The Speaker may delegate their duties and responsibilities to the Deputy Speaker as needed.
(B) If the Speaker fails to delegate their duties for more than one week the Deputy Speaker shall automatically assume the duties of the Speaker.

Rule II: Organization of Committees

(1) Each Member of Parliament shall serve on at least one Standing Parliament Committee.
(2) The Standing Parliament Committees are as follows:
(A) The Parliamentary Committee for Finance, Labor, and Commerce (FLC)
(B) The Parliamentary Committee for Infrastructure, Construction, and Agriculture (ICA)
(C) The Parliamentary Committee for Education, Health, and Social Concerns (EHSC)
(D) The Parliamentary Committee for Ethics, Government Oversight, Judiciary, and Rules (EGOJR)

Rule III: Composition of Committees

(1) There shall be three to five members on each standing Parliament Committee.
(2) All Members of Parliament shall submit their three most wanted standing committees choices in ranked order to the Speaker within three days of appointing one to the position (Speaker).
(3) The composition of each committee shall be proportional to the amount of interest displayed and given to Members of Parliament by the Speaker based on their ranked choice.
(A) If most Members of Parliament are choosing to be on one committee, then proportionally some seats must be held in reserve for parties.
(4) The Committee shall decide in a vote who their Committee Chair shall be. The Committee Chair can then directly choose who the Ranking Member shall be with the consent of the committee.
(A) If a Committee Chair becomes vacant then the Ranking Member shall become the new Committee Chair and shall choose a new Ranking Member
(B) The Speaker may dismiss a Committee Chair at any time for the following reasons: upon majority request from the respective committee or if a Member is in violation of Rule III(5) or if a Member is needed to chair an open standing committee or if to comply with Rule V(4).
(5) No member may be the Committee Chair or Ranking Member of more than one Committee.
(A) Committees are allowed to go without a Ranking Member if there are no available Members of Parliament to take the position.
(B) In the event that a Committee needs a chair and none of its members are able to take the position, Rule III(5) shall be invalid in interim until the Speaker or Deputy Speaker can settle the matter using the power of Rule III(4.B).
(C) Rule III(5) shall only apply to standing committees.
(6) The Committee Chair shall have the same powers as the Speaker when Chairing their Committee with the exception of issuing infractions.
(7) The Ranking Member shall serve as the Chair during the absence of the Chair.
(A) The Chair must notify the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker before taking a leave of absence.
(8) The Chair of each Committee may prepare a report regarding legislation within their committee.
(A) The Ranking Member may also prepare a Minority report.
(9) In the event of a tie in committee, the Speaker shall cast the tie breaking vote.
(A) If the Speaker is in the Committee, then the Deputy shall cast the tie breaking vote. If the Deputy is also within the committee, then any Committee Chair not within said Committee can cast the tie breaking vote.
(10) Committees created under the The Parliamentary Committee Standards Act shall be governed by these rules, and shall be regarded as Special Committees.

Rule IV: Legislative Process

(1) Members of Parliament shall submit legislation to the respective Committees based on subject matter; even if they are not a member of said Committee.
(A) If the subject matter is unclear, a Member of Parliament can ask the Speaker for clarification as to which committee the legislation shall go to.
(2) The Speaker, upon request from the Committee Chair, may elect to rush the legislation past the Committee stage.
(3) After legislation is introduced to a committee, a committee member can motion the legislation for amendments. There shall be 24 hours to amend the bill, which can be extended with a Motion to Extend Debate. Afterwards, the bill may be motioned for a vote to move to Parliament for a general vote.
(A) Votes may be closed early by the Chair if the results of the vote are clear.
(B) Amendment proposals may only be made by Committee members and must be made as a motion which must be seconded by another committee member.
(C) Amendment proposals on the floor may be accepted by the original bill author. However they must be accepted if there is a 2/3rd consensus of the committee for the amendment.
(4) After being moved from the committee, the Legislation will follow the requirements set forth by the Constitution of Stratham and any relevant or related law.
(A) Votes may be closed early by the Speaker of Parliament if the results of the vote are clear.
(5) Once votes are cast in Committee or on the General Floor, they cannot be changed.

Rule V: Amendments Proposal Guidelines

(1) No amendment shall be submitted that:
(A) Strikes the enacting clause or amends it to a date further than 3 months beyond the implementation date, or otherwise seeks to delay the implementation of the bill beyond reason.
(B) Arbitrarily amends or voids laws unrelated to the bill.
(C) Adds non-relevant language, or tries to ensure the failure of that piece of legislation.
(2) While in Committee it shall be the duty of the Chair to interpret this Rule.
(3) While on the floor it shall be the duty of the Speaker to interpret this Rule.
(4) Any Member of Parliament may object to a ruling of the Speaker, or Committee Chair, at which point reasoning must be provided by the Speaker, or Committee Chair.
(A) If the Speaker, or Committee Chair, fails to provide their reasoning within the amendment voting period then the ruling shall be declared null and void.

Rule VI: Motions and Executive Actions

(1) Any Member may make the following motions at the appropriate time;
(A) Move to Amend Legislation: A motion to amend a bill within a committee or on the General Floor. Amendments must be listed or suggested. Requires majority approval in Committee. If the motion has 2/3rd approval, the amendment must be made.
(B) Move to Postpone to a Certain Time or Extend Debate: A motion used to extend voting time or amendment time within committee or on the General Floor. Motion requires one person to second motion, no vote in committee required. This Motion cannot be made if a Move to Limit Debate has been passed.
(C) Move to Limit Debate: Motion to immediately end all debate with amendments and move to vote. Requires majority approval.
(D) Move to Rescind: Motion made by the Member who submitted the bill to their Committee to have it removed from Committee.
(E) Move to Send Back to Committee: Motion on the General Floor to move legislation that failed a general vote back to committee for amendments. Requires majority approval.
(F) Move to Override an Executive Order: Motion on the General Floor to stop the enforcement of an Executive Order. Requires the constitutionally set amount of votes to override the Executive Order.
(G) Move to Override Veto: Motion on the General Floor to override veto. Requires the constitutionally set amount of votes to override Veto. Can only be used against the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, or Acting Prime Minister.
(H) Move to VoNC: Motion on the General Floor to start a vote of no confidence. Proceedings are to be decided by the Speaker or Deputy Speaker; or by relevant law if established. Proceedings may include testimony, document discovery, and whatever is needed for Members of Parliament to have sufficient information to make an informed decision for the VoNC. Voting threshold for the VoNC is decided by the constitution.
(I) Move to Closed Door Session: Motion on the General Floor or in Committee to move debate to a private, closed session of parliament viewable only to Members of Parliament or Committee respectively.
(2) A Member may make a motion to request a hearing of an Executive Nominee on the General Floor. Requires majority approval.
(A) The relevant executive nominee shall not be compelled to testify, and no hearing shall last more than forty-eight (48) hours.
(B) All members of parliament are allowed to ask or not ask questions of any kind to the Executive Nominee.

Rule VII: Parliamentary Conduct

(1) Parliamentary Conduct shall be maintained by the Speaker only during in-game sessions or during voice sessions.
(A) It shall be the duty of either the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker to explain the rules to the Members of Parliament prior to commencing Parliamentary Conduct.
(2) Members of Parliament must keep to Parliamentary Conduct during in-game sessions or during voice sessions.
(3) No member shall:
(A) Speak unless recognized by the Speaker;
(B) Disrupt the proceedings of Parliament;
(C) Use defamatory or otherwise demeaning language directed at any member of Parliament;
(D) Physically attack, or attempt to attack another Member; or
(E) Directly address other Members of Parliament.
(4) Members shall always address the Speaker preceding their remarks.
(5) The Speaker may have Members of Parliament removed from the session for violation of any rules from the Parliament Chamber during a debate.
(A) The Member being removed must be warned before the Speaker can order their removal.

Rule VIII: Censures and Infractions

(1) Any Member may introduce a resolution to censure another Member of Parliament, a Government Official, or citizen of Stratham no more than once per month.
(2) Censures serve as a non-disciplinary warning and can serve as an official reasoning or evidence for a criminal case or VoNC vote.
(3) All resolutions seeking to censure a Member, Government Official, or citizen of Stratham shall immediately be rushed to the floor.
(4) If a Member of Parliament receives 2 infractions within a given term, then they shall be removed from all Committee and Parliamentary leadership positions for the remainder of the term.

Rule IX: Rule Supremacy

(1) These rules shall serve as the most powerful governing document of Parliament second only to the Constitution of the Republic of Stratham.
(2) It is the Speaker’s duty to enforce these rules.

Rule X: Rule Amendment

(1) These rules may be amended by a Resolution passed in Parliament with a two-thirds majority.
(2) The structure of the Amendment Process shall be as follows:
(A) The Speaker shall rush any amendment resolution to the floor if it contains the signature of a majority of Members.
(B) The Speaker shall then open the floor to voting for the remainder of that day's session.