CRL Committee

[Miestră Schivă, UrN]

I think prior to that comes the question of what kind of committees we would want. I can think of one specialist committee off the top of my head: an OrgLaw Committee.

[esbornatfiglheu]

Finance and Budget is probably another.

[Ian Plätschisch]

I would like to submit the Compromise on the Compromise for the Committee's consideration

[Miestră Schivă, UrN]

Just clarifying that this is the text we're looking at?

[Ian Plätschisch]

Just clarifying that this is the text we're looking at?

Yes

[esbornatfiglheu]

I don't really see anything structurally unsound in this measure, with the possible caveat of the "elimination through Orglaw amendment" issue.  That could be handled simply through the elimination of that line in the Orglaw as it stands.

Which might be a good idea anyhow, given that it might make things complicated if a new monarch is chosen (through WHATEVER system or reason) but the old king is "still on the books."

[EDIT, because it is tech week and I am slightly braindead]- Which this system would do upon further reading.  Guh, apologies.

[Miestră Schivă, UrN]

My political issues with this bill remain as canvassed in the Hopper thread. I especially reiterate that it would "legislatively decapitate" the incumbent, thus pretty much ensuring a veto.

However, my job on this committee is just to proofread, and in that capacity there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with it.

[Miestră Schivă, UrN]

What do you guys think of my Three Small Amendments?

[Miestră Schivă, UrN]

BUMP, time's running out if we want to get some/all of these on the 5th Clark

[esbornatfiglheu]

Amendment 1- Strikes me as just fine.  I think it would function as intended if put into law.

Amendment 2- Strikes me as a good idea, and I've no logistical issues with it.

Amendment 3- It's past time this position was enshrined Organically.  I see no issues.

[Breneir Tzaracomprada]

Presenting for CRL committee review

DRAFT AMENDMENT ON RESERVED SEATS FOR NEW CITIZENS

Whereas, the retention of new immigrants is an ongoing challenge for the Kingdom, and

Whereas, the option for new citizens to become immediately engaged in the Kingdom's government might lead to higher retention and activity levels.

Therefore be it resolved, that Organic Law Article IV, Sections 1-4 are amended to read as follows:

OrgLaw IV.1: The Cosa is the national legislative assembly, and is composed of a number of seats apportioned among political parties based on their performance in the General Election, as well as any additional seats authorised by this Organic Law.

OrgLaw IV.2. Based on the final results of the General Election, the Secretary of State shall calculate the apportionment of seats among the parties, hereinafter referred to as "party seats".

OrgLaw IV.2.1 The party seats shall total 200, or another number which may be set by law, with the provisos that any such change will not take effect until the next election following the passage of a calendar year; and that this number may never be less than twice the number of Senators minus one.

OrgLaw IV.2.2. Each party shall receive a percentage of party seats as equal as possible to its percentage of the popular vote, but each party shall receive a whole number of seats, and in turn, each party shall assign these seats to individuals, in accordance with law. The Secretary of State shall employ whatever mathematical formulae and calculations in the apportionment of seats as are set by law, or, in the absence of such law, as will best reflect the intentions of this Organic Law. The Uppermost Cort shall be the final judge in case of mathematical disputes.

OrgLaw IV.2.3. Only registered political parties may obtain party seats. Parties which win votes but are not registered may not assume their seats in the Cosa until they register. The process to register a party shall be defined by law. The Secretary of State may request from all parties a registration fee, to be set by law, to cover the cost of the election. This fee shall be uniform for all parties.

OrgLaw IV.3. In the case of vacant party seats occurring between elections, the Secretary of State shall inform the King and the leader of whatever party held the vacant seat. The King shall appoint a replacement to each vacancy. If the seat belonged to a party with a functioning party leader, the King must appoint as a replacement whichever person shall be so designated by that party's leader. If there is no functioning party leader, or if the party leader refuses to designate a replacement, the King shall appoint the replacement according to his own best judgement.

OrgLaw IV.4.1: In addition to the seats apportioned between parties after a General Election, the Secretary of State shall assign one Cosa seat to any citizen who becomes eligible to vote after the most recent Election Deadline but before the dissolution of the Cosa, upon the request of such citizen, up to a maximum number as this Organic Law might provide. Any additional seat so assigned shall cease to exist should its holder vacate or be removed from the seat and shall not be subject to the procedures for filling vacancies in the Cosa, and shall also cease to exist upon the dissolution of the Cosa.

OrgLaw IV.4.2 The maximum number of seats that may be assigned to new citizens between general elections shall be 7.5% of the seats apportioned between parties, rounded up to a whole number of seats.

[Miestră Schivă, UrN]

Since I was very strongly involved in helping draft this, I'd like the Túischac'h or the Mençéi to have a close look at it

[esbornatfiglheu]

So let me see if I fully understand what the point of this legislation is.  Essentially, new citizens who could not participate in the most recent election due to not being citizens yet are entitled (up to a total of 7.5% [15 seats at current numbers]) to request a single Cosa seat for themselves.  I'm assuming that this is a method of trying to get people involved quickly, yes?

Given that this is an Organic amendment, I think it passes muster in terms of clarity of writing and wouldn't cause inscrutable tangles with other laws.

My major question would be, essentially, what if a single seat is enough to tip control of the Cosa to the opposition?  Might this bill be an outsized encouragement to Broosking?

[Miestră Schivă, UrN]

Historically, we've seen parties trying to recruit citizens from the immigration pipeline as an evil. But honestly, what now I see as a bigger evil is parties completely ignoring new citizens. If a new citizen is going to get a Cosa seat one way or the other, I don't see any problem with parties competing for their sympathy.

As for swinging the balance in a close Cosa: if we see an evil in these extra seats having a real political impact, then we shouldn't have them at all.

[Ian Plätschisch]

Please review the "It's the Immigration, Stupid" Act