Florencian Constitutional Reform Committee

[Mic’haglh Autófil, O.Be]

Under the provisions of Nimlet Resolution 2026-05, I hereby call to order the Constitutional Reform Committee.

This Committee shall consist of three members:
- Myself as Governor of Florencia, Committee Chair;
- @mximo (Mximo Carbonel), Pastour and Vice-Chair; and
- @Breneir Tzaracomprada , Pastour and Vice-Chair.

Each member shall possess equal voting rights. No other individuals shall be granted a vote, but the Committee may call on representatives from various Talossan organizations for advisory input.

The stated deadline for this Committee's proposed constitutional reforms is the beginning of the Sixth Clark of the 62nd and current Cosa session, which is expected to open on 1 June 2026.

If the Vice-Chairs have any agenda items they wish to see included or any specific areas they wish to address during the course of the Committee's work, the floor is open. I will put forth an agenda on Saturday, 28 February.

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

Yes, as I have stated before I think we should amend the constitution in whole (moving toward a system with elements from Fiova, Belacosta, and Vuode) but if we decide to restrict ourselves to spot amendments then we should certainly work on reforms to Article III (Government) and Article IV (Legislation). Recent experience shows critical need for reforms specifically to Sections 6 through 9 of Article III.

[Mic’haglh Autófil, O.Be]

I see no need to restrict the work of the Committee to "spot amendments", to borrow your phrasing. If the people of Florencia would prefer a new Constitution outright, it should not be withheld from them.

I do, however, think we should wait for Vice-Chair @mximo to weigh in. While he may have an equal vote on this Committee, any changes put forth will need his blessing if they are to pass through the Nimlet.

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

I see no need to restrict the work of the Committee to "spot amendments", to borrow your phrasing. If the people of Florencia would prefer a new Constitution outright, it should not be withheld from them.

I do, however, think we should wait for Vice-Chair @mximo to weigh in. While he may have an equal vote on this Committee, any changes put forth will need his blessing if they are to pass through the Nimlet.

You had mentioned putting forward an agenda today though. It might be good to proceed with that initial plan and allow him to comment on that?

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

If the Vice-Chairs have any agenda items they wish to see included or any specific areas they wish to address during the course of the Committee's work, the floor is open. I will put forth an agenda on Saturday, 28 February.

We appear to have missed getting the agenda out yesterday :(

[Mic’haglh Autófil, O.Be]

Because I am trying to wait for S:reu Carbonel's input, as previously noted.

Please remember that I am trying to remain relatively hands-off in this process other than administrative functions, due to my not being a Florencian. A lot of "political questions" are things I am going to try and keep myself as uninvolved in as possible as a matter of propriety and respect for the local democratic will. As a result, in my view we are only properly, ethically quorate when both of you are present.

That said, in the interest of keeping things moving, here's what I propose: let's give @mximo until Wednesday (4 March) to provide input. Whether or not he has done so by then, I will put out some sort of agenda that evening. In the meantime, what I will ask you to do is put forward any specific recommendations on the sections you identified above.

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

Because I am trying to wait for S:reu Carbonel's input, as previously noted.

Please remember that I am trying to remain relatively hands-off in this process other than administrative functions, due to my not being a Florencian. A lot of "political questions" are things I am going to try and keep myself as uninvolved in as possible as a matter of propriety and respect for the local democratic will. As a result, in my view we are only properly, ethically quorate when both of you are present.

That said, in the interest of keeping things moving, here's what I propose: let's give @mximo until Wednesday (4 March) to provide input. Whether or not he has done so by then, I will put out some sort of agenda that evening. In the meantime, what I will ask you to do is put forward any specific recommendations on the sections you identified above.

Yes, as I have stated before I think we should amend the constitution in whole (moving toward a system with elements from Fiova, Belacosta, and Vuode) but if we decide to restrict ourselves to spot amendments then we should certainly work on reforms to Article III (Government) and Article IV (Legislation). Recent experience shows critical need for reforms specifically to Sections 6 through 9 of Article III.

Done, a few days ago, I proposed that those be areas for review but am not yet ready to submit specific proposals especially before you've even set an agenda.
In a few more days I will look forward to *some kind of contribution* from either you or the other member of this Committee.

Based on the frequency of his posts I am skeptical.

[Mic’haglh Autófil, O.Be]

Alright, while I would have liked to hear from Vice-Chair Carbonel regarding his thoughts, it is indeed Wednesday, so I think we should get going.

Broadly speaking, and keeping in mind the general suggestions provided above by Vice-Chair Tzaracomprada, I believe there are four main topics this Committee should address:

• Constitutional amendment vs. constitutional overhaul -- should the current constitution be amended in specific places, or replaced outright?
• Form of the Executive -- should Florencia keep the current method of choosing the provincial executive? Should some alternative -- direct election, collegiate executive, etc. -- be implemented instead? Is legislative confidence necessary, or would some other form of democratic mandate be preferred?
• Form of the Legislature -- is the current "Real Nimlet" method of partisan election still preferred, or would Florencians prefer something like the "citizens' assembly" model used in some other provinces?
• The Legislative Process -- from V-C Tzaracomprada's statement above regarding Article IV, it would appear that amendments to Florencia's legislative process may be worth examining in further detail. I invite him to expand on this point at his leisure.

As noted in the opening post, this Committee must deliver its proposed solutions, whatever form they may take, by 1 June. I will say that in my experience, settling on the methods is usually the more time-consuming part of the process -- actually choosing the wording is relatively simple, it's deciding on the goal of that wording that's the tricky part. To that end, I think we should devote the majority of our time to refining the answers to the above questions (along with any others that may be raised) and defining the goals of the proposal. Let's say that the debate period may extend no later than 30 April, with drafting the proposed amendment(s) to occur during May. Is this acceptable to either of the Vice-Chairs? If so, that will constitute a majority, as this is one sort of issue I feel comfortable voting on for myself, as opposed to sticking to my usual neutrality.

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

• Constitutional amendment vs. constitutional overhaul -- should the current constitution be amended in specific places, or replaced outright?
• Form of the Executive -- should Florencia keep the current method of choosing the provincial executive? Should some alternative -- direct election, collegiate executive, etc. -- be implemented instead? Is legislative confidence necessary, or would some other form of democratic mandate be preferred?
• Form of the Legislature -- is the current "Real Nimlet" method of partisan election still preferred, or would Florencians prefer something like the "citizens' assembly" model used in some other provinces?
• The Legislative Process -- from V-C Tzaracomprada's statement above regarding Article IV, it would appear that amendments to Florencia's legislative process may be worth examining in further detail. I invite him to expand on this point at his leisure.

With thanks to Governor Autofil, I offer my own answers to the agenda items.

-I support a full constitutional overhaul.
-The current structure of the Provincial Executive has in this most recent episode demonstrated its weaknesses. The Governor is aware of my sympathies for a collegial or directorial executive so I would support that. But I would also be in support of a highly limited and purely administrative executive office with the legislature being in nearly all matters supreme.
-I am in complete support of moving towards a citizens assembly model used by other provinces. (And would also recommend the creation of a provincial secretary of state to cover scribery-like, election, and record-keeping duties). This body should review the successes of Fiova and Belacosta. I have done this personally and moved to enact examples here in Talossa.
-If we move toward an overhaul with a limited administrative executive then I think the Article IV reforms may not be necessary.

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

@mximo I am glad to see from the database that you are finding time to vote. It is concerning, though, that you were the other person expressing a need for constitutional reform but have been silent for weeks here. I know life outside Talossa takes priority and can overwhelm commitments here but you were elected as a senator just recently and wrote the bill for this very committee. We need at least some of your attention to this important matter here in Florencia.

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

Not much of a debate so far unfortunately.

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

• Constitutional amendment vs. constitutional overhaul -- should the current constitution be amended in specific places, or replaced outright?
• Form of the Executive -- should Florencia keep the current method of choosing the provincial executive? Should some alternative -- direct election, collegiate executive, etc. -- be implemented instead? Is legislative confidence necessary, or would some other form of democratic mandate be preferred?
• Form of the Legislature -- is the current "Real Nimlet" method of partisan election still preferred, or would Florencians prefer something like the "citizens' assembly" model used in some other provinces?
• The Legislative Process -- from V-C Tzaracomprada's statement above regarding Article IV, it would appear that amendments to Florencia's legislative process may be worth examining in further detail. I invite him to expand on this point at his leisure.

With thanks to Governor Autofil, I offer my own answers to the agenda items.

-I support a full constitutional overhaul.
-The current structure of the Provincial Executive has in this most recent episode demonstrated its weaknesses. The Governor is aware of my sympathies for a collegial or directorial executive so I would support that. But I would also be in support of a highly limited and purely administrative executive office with the legislature being in nearly all matters supreme.
-I am in complete support of moving towards a citizens assembly model used by other provinces. (And would also recommend the creation of a provincial secretary of state to cover scribery-like, election, and record-keeping duties). This body should review the successes of Fiova and Belacosta. I have done this personally and moved to enact examples here in Talossa.
-If we move toward an overhaul with a limited administrative executive then I think the Article IV reforms may not be necessary.

Checking in. This post was about two weeks ago. Any deliberation is welcome.

[Mic’haglh Autófil, O.Be]

Paging @mximo

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

Just over three weeks left for debate. I'm hoping we don't end up with a one person "debate." This is making the case that Florencia is ripe for a merger though.

[mximo]

Azul,

When I'm not responding here.

Please send me an email.

I will read this post and come back by the end of the week.

Mximo

[mximo]

Azul,

Can you guys write a new constitution ?
A Draft ? I'm not good in english to write a law.

I can read the draft and propose amendements.

The important part is the governor. May be the governor should be elected by the people in general election ?

What do you think ?

Mximo

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

We are getting close to the end of the debate period. I am considering drafting a new constitution for committee review based on the ideas I expressed a few weeks ago.

[Mic’haglh Autófil, O.Be]

Given that Vice-Chair Carbonel has expressed an openness to someone else drafting something, and my own stated position that it is improper for me to play too active of a role in enacting a constitution for a province not my own, I think you drafting something for committee/public review seems like a reasonable path forward.

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

@Mic'haglh Autófil, O.Be @mximo Here is the draft which moves Florencia toward a system more in line with a blend of Fiova and Vuode. Provincial legislature includes all provincial citizens > that body appoints a two-person executive directorate. Elections and administration by a provincial SoS (Chancellor) and creates a one-person judicial review (Instrumental Conciliator).

2026 INSTRUMENT OF GOVERNMENT OF FLORENCIA

Preamble
We continue to be pioneers.
In 1982 a blind imperialist land grab brought under Talossan control the place which we now call Florencia. This land grab created one of our now-sister provinces, for which a constitution was ratified even though no Talossan yet lived within its boundaries.
In 1990 the first Talossan settled the southern canton of that province, which had been named Florencia in honor of the former Talossan head of state, Queen Florence. The settler found that the area was different from the northern half of the province, and was a place with a character all its own. Relationships developed with the local Cestours, and what had seemed to be a Talossan frontier six months earlier was now turning into a home. Things began to take root, and along with them came change.
In 1996 Florencians moved out of the shadow of our parent province and established the right to operate on our own terms. We struggled with dark forces that sought to upset the balance in the kingdom and leave a mark on our new homeland, but we prevailed.
In 2002 Florencia established a constitution that lasted all nine years through the many crises that our beloved province and kingdom had survived, separating our population from one another and devastating our local presence, but not our provincial pride.
In 2011 we adopted a new constitution, with heads held high and beliefs held strong, in order that we could continue to preserve life, liberty, and the safeguard of law.
In 2020 we wrought a new chapter in the history of our beloved province with a better government for our people.
Now, in 2026, we take a further step: recognising that the strength of Florencia has always resided not in offices or titles, but in the will and participation of her citizens, we reconstitute our province as a direct democracy, wherein the Curia of all citizens is the supreme authority under this new Instrument of Government.
Just as Talossa is more than the sum of its parts, so too does Florencia find an infinite diversity in infinite combinations.
¡Viva la Florencia!

Chapter I — The Province
Section 1. Style.
The style of this province is The Province of Florencia, or in Talossan, La Provincù Florencia.
Section 2. Territory.
The province consists of and claims provincial sovereignty over all such Talossan territory as follows: from the Milwaukee River along North Avenue to Prospect Avenue, then along Prospect Avenue southwest to Lafayette Street, then along Lafayette Street northwest to Farwell Avenue, then along Farwell Avenue southwest to Brady Street, then along Brady Street west to Warren Avenue, then along Warren Avenue north to, and then along, the footpath below Boylston Street leading to the foot bridge across the Milwaukee River.
Section 3. Claim.
All lands and islands man-made or naturally forming in Florencian territorial waters are irrevocably part of the provincial territory.
Section 4. Capitol.
The provincial capitol is the Landmark Building located on the corner of East Kenilworth and North Farwell Avenue, the home of a bar, a bowling alley, a corner shop and the Oriental Theatre.
When either the Paramount, a Senator for Florencia, or the Constable be an actual inhabitant within the territorial borders of Florencia, and during such inhabitation, the domicile of the first person so enumerated shall be considered the focal point of the province and be honored as the provincial capitol; and the domicile shall be known as the Manor of the street at which it stands, for example "Irving Manor".
Section 5. Language.
The recognized languages of Florencia are Talossan and English, but both French and Frenglish shall be respected and willingly promoted.
Section 6. Instrument of Governmental Primacy.
This Instrument of Government is and shall always be the ultimate law of the province of Florencia, subject only to the supremacy of the Organic Law of Talossa, and no law shall be enacted or enforced which contravenes them.
Section 7. Reservation of Right to Self-Determination
The Florencian people recognize their important place as a province of the Kingdom of Talossa. As a people, however, Florencians reserve their natural right to determine their own destiny through democratic methods.

Chapter II — Symbols
Section 1. Flag.
The provincial flag of Florencia is a banner in dimensions five by the hoist to eight by the fly, and is so blazoned as follows: Azure a Florentine fleurs-de-lis Or in chief three barrulets of the same.
Section 2. Seal.
The provincial seal of Florencia is so blazoned as follows: On an oblong disc Azure a Florentine fleurs-de-lis all within a bordure Or inscribed with in chief the word "FLORENCIA" and in base the phrase "1996 XVII" Azure.
Section 3. Anthem.
The provincial anthem is the song "Built A Little Empire" by They Might Be Giants. The same is and shall serve as a reminder of the origins of Florencia.
Section 4. Motto.
The provincial motto shall be Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations.

Chapter III — The Curia (Provincial Legislature)
Section 1. Supreme Authority.
Supreme authority in Florencia rests with all citizens of the province to be known in their collectivity as the Curia. All debates and votes of the Curia are public, except in cases involving national or provincial security or sensitive personal information. Unless otherwise stated in this Instrument of Government, the Curia may set its own rules for making decisions, including a quorum for any decisions.
Section 2. Chair of the Curia.
The Curia shall be chaired by a Moderator, elected by the body from among its members. The Moderator shall preside over debates, maintain order, and give effect to the decisions of the Curia. The Moderator may be removed by a simple majority vote of the Curia at any time. The term of the Moderator shall be concurrent with each session of the Curia. A Moderator may be reelected indefinitely.
Section 3. Participation.
Every citizen of Florencia, as determined by the Organic Law and other laws of Talossa, is a member of the Curia and shall have one equal vote on any question before it, unless this Instrument of Government provides otherwise.
Section 4. Legislative Power.
Provincial law consists of, in order of precedence: the Organic Law of the Kingdom of Talossa; the laws of the Ziu except in matters reserved to the provinces; this Instrument of Government; the laws passed by the Curia; decisions of the Instrumental Conciliator; and Curial Orders issued by the Directory. Curial Orders may be overturned by a simple majority vote of the Curia.
Section 5. Right of Initiative & Recall.
Any citizen of Florencia may introduce a legislative proposal before the Curia, including the recall of provincial officers. The Curia may set rules governing the process for introduction, debate, and the setting of deadlines for votes on any proposal.

Chapter IV — The Constable
Section 1. Role.
The Sovereign of Talossa is represented in the province and attends to provincial affairs through a Constable, or in Talossan, Cunstavál, who shall be appointed in accordance with the Organic Law.
Section 2. Vacancy.
If the office of the Constable becomes vacant or generally unattended, the Directory shall petition without delay that the Sovereign appoint a new Constable and shall repeat this petition so often as may be necessary to effectuate the appointment. The Sovereign shall assume all powers and duties of the Constable whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Constable.
Section 3. Promulgation.
The Constable shall promulgate all laws passed by the Curia. If the Constable (or Sovereign when there is a vacancy in the office of Constable) should fail to act upon a passed law within seven (7) calendar days of its presentation, it shall take effect without promulgation. If the Constable should veto a law, they shall return it to the Curia with objections in writing. The Curia may override a veto of the Constable by passing the law, in exact matching form, again in the term immediately following the Constable's disapproval.

Chapter V — The Directory (Provincial Executive)
Section 1. The Directory.
Executive power in Florencia is exercised by a permanent administrative committee, to be known as the Directory. The Directory shall consist of two members who must be residents of the province, elected at large by all citizens of the province, by a vote conducted under the principles of proportional representation. Additional details of the electoral method shall be established by law.
Section 2. The Paramount.
The Directory shall designate one of the pair as Chair, who shall be given the honourable title of Paramount. The Paramount shall represent the Directory before the Curia and before the Constable, and shall co-sign Curial Orders on behalf of the Directory. The Director designated as Paramount serves continuously until resignation from the Directory, removal, or declaration of vacancy by the Curia.
Section 3. Elections.
Elections for the Directory shall occur simultaneously with every national Cosă election, or earlier in case of a Vote of Confidence or the Curia or Chancellor declaring a vacancy in the Directory. In these latter cases, the Chancellor may choose a date for an earlier election, or failing that, one may be set by resolution of the Curia.
Section 4. Supremacy of the Curia.
On any issue where the Directory and the Curia conflict, the will of the Curia shall prevail.
Section 5. Ministers.
The Directory may delegate any executive powers to Provincial Ministers. The Ministers are nominated by the Directory and confirmed by the Constable. The Ministers are collectively and individually responsible to and may be dismissed by the Directory or the Curia. The Directory and Ministers are collectively known as "the Instrumentality".
Section 6. Senators for Florencia.
Florencia shall have equal and fair representation in the Senate of Talossa, in accordance with those procedures or qualifications determined by the Organic Law or other laws of Talossa. No person shall be so elected, nor continue to serve as a Senator for Florencia, who is not a bona fide citizen and a qualified resident thereof.

Chapter VI — The Instrumental Conciliator (Provincial Judiciary)
Section 1. Role.
Judicial power, including jurisdiction over any dispute relevant to this Instrument of Government, is exercised by an Instrumental Conciliator, nominated by the Constable and approved by the Curia, as and when necessary. Decisions of the Instrumental Conciliator may be appealed to Kingdom Courts. The Instrumental Conciliator serves indefinitely until resignation or recall by the Curia.

Chapter VII — The Chancellor
Section 1. Role.
All elections and maintenance of provincial administrative (governmental and electoral) records are conducted by a Chancellor, nominated and confirmed by the Curia. The Chancellor serves indefinitely until resignation, recall, or declaration of a vacancy by the Curia. The Chancellor, as the administrator of provincial elections, is not eligible to hold another provincial political office simultaneously.

Chapter VIII — General Provisions for Provincial Officials
Section 1. Absence.
Any officer empowered by this Instrument of Government shall be considered absent if they fail to confirm their presence to the Curia within seven (7) calendar days of being called upon to do so by any Curia member.
Section 2. Removal.
All officers empowered by this Instrument of Government may be removed by the Curia by means of a Vote of Confidence, which shall require a simple majority to succeed. The Directory may be subject to a Vote of Confidence only collectively, not as individuals.
Section 3. Vacancies.
An officer empowered by this Instrument of Government, including members of the Directory, shall have vacated their office if they resign, relocate to residency in another province, lose their Talossan citizenship, are removed by a Vote of Confidence by the Curia, or are absent within the meaning of Section 1 above for thirty days or more.
3.1 If a vacancy arises in the Directory, the remaining members may co-opt any citizen to the vacant role, subject to ratification of their choice by the Curia. If two or more vacancies arise simultaneously, the Chancellor shall declare the Directory to be vacant and call an election.
3.2 If a vacancy arises in any other office created under this Instrument of Government, the Directory may appoint an Acting holder of that office, who shall function until confirmed or replaced by the Curia.

Chapter IX — Amendments
Section 1. Amendment by the Curia.
This Instrument of Government may be amended in whole or in part by a resolution of the Curia limited to that purpose. In order to pass, such a resolution shall earn the affirmative votes of at least two-thirds of the participating members of the Curia.
Amendments shall take effect after due promulgation by the Constable at a prescribed time and shall become part of this Instrument of Government.
Section 2. Amendment by Referendum.
This Instrument of Government may also be amended in whole or in part, or a new Instrument of Government altogether proposed, by a referendum of the province, which shall be called by a resolution of the Curia limited to that purpose and prescribing the proposed amendment.
If the Curia passes such a resolution, the amendment shall be presented in referendum to all citizens of the province, each of whom shall have one equal vote. The amendment shall take effect if a majority of all bona fide citizens approve, or if two-thirds of those participating approve, whichever is the lesser threshold satisfied.