Aug 13, 2013

How Edan Works: The Assembly


 The Assembly is the legislative portion of the government and is made up of two sections, the Council and the Senate.

The Council:
The Council is made up of the 7 to 12 nobles of highest precedence in the Kingdom. The highest ranking within the Council is the President of the Council.

The Senate:
The Senate is made up of between 8 and 120 elected members (size of the Senate is based on total national population). Voting is 'at large' and is a single transferable vote proportional system. Senators are elected every 2 years. Once elections are complete the Senators elect one of their members to the position of First Senator.

What they do:
The Assembly mainly exists to create legislation. The process is:
1) A Senator, Council Member or the King introduces a proposed law (any proposal made by the King is entered into the Council).
2) If the proposal is approved by a simple majority of the portion of the Assembly where it was introduced it is sent to the other portion.
2) The other portion now votes on the proposal. If a simple majority votes in favor of it, it is sent to the King.
3) The King may approve the entire proposal, reject the entire proposal, or approve the proposal with select sections removed. If the bill is rejected in anyway it is sent back to the originating portion of the Assembly with an explanation for refusal.
A) If the originating portion votes to uphold the proposal with a ¾ majority, it is resent to the other portion.
B) If the other portion also upholds the rejected proposal with a ¾ or greater vote, the proposal becomes law over the King's refusal.

EXAMPLE: Senator Jones introduces a proposal that says;
“All adult citizens shall be required to have a national identification card. This card must be presented when any citizen;
1) votes for Senate
2) applies for professional credentials
3) enlists in the Royal Forces
All ID cards shall be issued at such time as a person becomes a full citizen. Citizens are responsible for applying for replacement or updated cards. The database for all such cards shall be maintained by the Ministry of State. Such cards shall be paid for with funds from the Treasury.”
After a short debate 9 of the 12 Senators vote to support the proposed law. It is then sent tot he Council. Two days later the Council holds a short debate and 10 of 12 members also vote for the proposal. It is now sent to the King.
A week later the king signs the following into law;
“All adult citizens shall be required to have a national identification card. This card must be presented when any citizen;
1) votes for Senate
2) applies for professional credentials
3) enlists in the Royal Forces
All ID cards shall be issued at such time as a person becomes a full citizen. Citizens are responsible for applying for replacement or updated cards. The database for all such cards shall be maintained by the Ministry of State.”
His note to the Senate and Council reads,
“Struck the element 'Such cards shall be paid for with funds from the Treasury' as this constitutes a budget item that is not contained within the budget and further violates Article 28 Section 3 of the constitution.”
Senator Jones decides to re-introduce the proposal in full but only has 2 of 12 Senators vote for the full version – the proposal as signed by the King is now law.

The Assembly also ratifies treaties and appointments made by the King.


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