Post by merni on Apr 28, 2020 13:38:54 GMT
Rules of Procedure
Author: Zhang Xiaoqing (Socialist)
Sponsors: Willem van Aldenkamp (Reform), Susilo Sri (UCP), Lakshman Rajagopalam (TMK), Jan van der Stel (NVP), J.R.M. van der Hegel (NVP)
Sponsors: Willem van Aldenkamp (Reform), Susilo Sri (UCP), Lakshman Rajagopalam (TMK), Jan van der Stel (NVP), J.R.M. van der Hegel (NVP)
An Act to establish the rules of procedure in Parliament
BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED, as follows:
§1 - Bill Procedure
- A bill may be submitted to the Speaker for Parliament's consideration with at least 5 sponsors.
- Once submitted, the Speaker will add the bill to a queue of submitted bills. The Speaker shall introduce bills to the chamber roughly in the order of submission. Government bills, opposition bills and independent bills shall be introduced in due proportion each.
- Once a bill is introduced into the chamber, it will be debated for at least 24 hours. The Speaker shall ensure as far as possible that all members have an opportunity to speak.
- During the debate period, members may propose amendments with the support of at least five members (including the proposer).
- Once the debate has ended, if any amendments have been proposed with the required support, each must be voted upon by all members for at least 24 hours, unless the author of the bill accepts the amendment.
- Once voting on amendments is over, voting on the bill may begin. Voting on the bill shall last for at least 24 hours.
- Both types of voting for multiple bills may be held concurrently, but voting for a bill and its own amendments may not be held concurrently.
- If a bill fails at vote, it may not be introduced again during the same session.
§2 - Motions
The following motions may be raised by members during debate. If a motion receives five seconds, it will be voted upon. Votes on motions may take place concurrently to any other business, and shall last for 24 hours.
- Motion to adjourn: That Parliament adjourns either indefinitely or until a specified time.
- Motion to extend debate: That the current debate be extended for a specified amount of time.
- Motion to close debate: That the current debate be closed and the next scheduled business begun.
- Motion of no confidence in the Speaker: That Parliament has lost confidence in the Speaker to serve.
- Motion to appeal Speaker's decision: That a certain decision of the Speaker be put to a vote. (requires seven seconds)
- Motion of censure: That a member be officially condemned by Parliament.
§3 - Behaviour of Members
- Members shall only address the Speaker while speaking in the chamber. Members shall refer to the Speaker and all other members respectfully in the chamber.
- Members shall not make remarks in the chamber that are not true to the best of their knowledge, or that incite, endorse or support hatred or violence towards any ethnic, religious, linguistic or social group, or violent, illegal or immoral activities, or that insult the dignity of another member.
- Members shall conduct themselves in a dignified manner suitable for an elected official, and shall not make unparliamentary remarks or actions.
- Members shall not speak unless called upon by the Speaker to do so. Members shall not speak during a voting period unless conveying urgent and important information to the Speaker.
- Members shall not, by their words or actions, needlessly delay or obstruct the functioning of Parliament, or cause an unnecessary disturbance in the chamber.
- Members shall not physically attack or threaten to physically attack any person within the chamber.
- Should a member violate these rules, the Speaker may apply the following punishments:
- Warning: The Speaker may warn a member by calling the name of the member, reading out the rule he/she has violated, and warning them not to do so again.
- Ejection from the chamber: After repeated or serious violations, the Speaker may order the member to be temporarily removed from the chamber for an amount of time.
- Expulsion: The Speaker or any member may propose expelling a member from the chamber for the remainder of the session. If the proposal recieves five seconds, it shall be voted upon similarly to a motion. If ⅔ of members present vote in favour, the member shall be expelled and prohibited from entering the chamber for the remainer of the session.
- Warning: The Speaker may warn a member by calling the name of the member, reading out the rule he/she has violated, and warning them not to do so again.
§4 - Question Time
- Every week, at least 24 hours must be designated by the Speaker as Question Time. During Question Time, members of Parliament may ask questions to ministers including the Prime Minister. Ministers are obliged to answer all such questions completely and truthfully, unless answering them would cause a grave threat to national security. Opposition and independent members shall get priority in asking questions.
- The Speaker may also designate time for debates on other important matters not related to any bill. If at least seven members request such a debate, the Speaker must hold it at a suitable time for at least 24 hours.
Just a basic thing. And yes, the motions bit is substantially the same as the one I co-wrote for St Hilda.