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.
