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| Parliamentary Procedure Reform Act of 2005 Article 1: Name 1.) This Bill is called the Parliamentary Procedure Reform Act of 2005 (PPRA). Article 2: Definitions 1.) Sponsor: one who presents a bill. 2.) Co-Sponsor: one who voices his support for a bill before it reaches the Floor. 3.) Hopper: the forum where bills are “born” and put up for co-sponsorship. 4.) Floor: the forum for debate. 5.) Voting booth: the forum for voting. Article 3: The Speaker of Parliament 1.) The Speaker of Parliament shall be the Presiding Officer of the Imperial Parliament. 2.) At the beginning of each session, the outgoing Speaker shall conduct the vote for the new Speaker, either from among the Members of Parliament who are not members of the Executive Government or from among persons who are not Members of Parliament; provided that a person shall not be elected as Speaker if, under any of the provisions of the Constitution, he is not qualified for election. If the outgoing Speaker is not present, the Emperor shall conduct the vote. 3.) The Speaker shall not be prohibited from fulfilling all other duties and privileges of a Member of Parliament. 4.) The Speaker shall present all bills passed by Parliament to His Imperial Majesty the Emperor for Imperial Assent if such bills require it. Article 4: Parliamentary Procedure 1.) The old means of Parliamentary procedure shall be ended in full. 2.) The Imperial Parliament forum shall be split into three smaller forums: the Hopper, the Floor, and the Voting Booth. 3.) The following new procedure shall govern the workings of Parliament from hereon in: a. The sponsor posts his bill in the Hopper, with the heading being the full name of the bill and nothing more. It remains there for no less than 1 day and no more than 10 days, where it can gain the co-sponsorship of other Members of Parliament. To co-sponsor a bill, a Member of Parliament says just that - “I cosponsor.” A bill may be fast-tracked to the Floor with the proper motion and enough support after a 12 hour period. b. After the proper period of time, the Speaker posts a fresh copy of the bill onto the Floor, where it is debated for no less than 3 days and no more than a week. The utmost formality is required at this stage. It is strongly suggested that all posts begin with a nod to the Speaker and end with “I yield.” A bill may be fast-tracked to the Voting Booth with the proper motion and enough support after a 24 hour period. c. After the proper period of time, the Speaker posts a fresh copy of the bill in the Voting Booth. There, each and every Member of Parliament has the choice to vote “Oui” in approval, “Non” in disapproval, “Present” in neutrality or “Defer” extend the debate period for one week. Voting shall last exactly 4 days or until a majority of possible voters has been reached. In the case of a national emergency, the Speaker is empowered to cut down voting as he deems necessary. 4.) No new legislation shall be able to be submitted to the Imperial Parliament after the sixth day before the end of a session. 5.) Any member may call for Unanimous Consent where is bill is automatically passed unless an objection is made within the allotted voting period. 6.) Any member of the Imperial Parliament may call for "fast track" in regards to any piece of legislation. This must be seconded by another member. Under “fast track” procedures, voting procedures are immediately initiated once such a motion is seconded. The Speaker of Parliament has the authority to revoke or evoke Fast Track procedures if he feels it is necessary. Article 5 - Amendments to the PPRA, Suspension of the PPRA 1.) The PPRA may be amended by the Speaker of Parliament upon recommendation by the Members of Parliament. 2.) If a motion to amend the PPRA is approved by two-thirds of Parliament, the Speaker shall amend the PPRA. 3.) The Speaker of Parliament shall reserve the power of suspending and reinstating the PPRA. 4.) If a motion to suspend the PPRA is approved by two-thirds of the Parliament, the Speaker shall suspend the PPRA. 5.) If a motion to reinstate the PPRA is approved by two-thirds of the Parliament, the Speaker shall reinstate the standing orders. 6.) Amendments to the Constitution may not be introduced under suspension of the PPRA. |