Eutopia 4 Law Gazette

[The_Hawk]

In this thread, the Speaker of the legislature will post all laws, acts and statutes passed by that body. Note that all laws passed in Eutopia 2 by the National Assembly and Eutopia 3 by the General Assembly still apply, except where otherwise noted. Some laws from Eutopia 2 also fall into areas which are now under provincial jurisdiction, and may be superseded by provincial laws. Note further that the decisions of the High Court remain in effect unless otherwise noted.

 

[The_Hawk]

THE THIRD CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED PROVINCES OF EUTOPIA​

I. Foundation and Principles

1. The United Provinces of Eutopia are a democratic federation of provinces.

a. Federal jurisdiction

The Federation shall have exclusive jurisdiction over matters of
federal finance
foreign affairs
immigration
citizenship
trade
customs
defense
intelligence
border security
counter-terrorism
industry
commerce
labour
non-renewable resources and mining
fisheries
federal law enforcement (capital, interprovincial and international crimes)
drugs
justice
property and civil rights
international and interprovincial land transportation
air travel and air transportation
navigation and shipping
postal services
broadcast and electronic media
communication (telephone, email etc.)
welfare
health
sports
the environment
national parks

b. Provincial jurisdiction

The Provinces shall have exclusive jurisdiction over matters of
provincial finances
intra-provincial land transportation
public works (water and sewers, dams, public works projects etc.)
forestry
energy and public utilities
agriculture
family
youth
education
language
culture
communities
science
technology
law enforcement (in all matters that do not concern capital crimes, interprovincial or international crimes, or drugs)
print media
municipalities

c. Residual powers

Any area not listed herein shall be the jurisdiction of the Provinces unless the Federation shall, by clear statement or act, make evident its desire to acquire jurisdiction.

2. The Federation adheres to the basic principles of rule of law, justice, and equality, and this Constitution shall be the ultimate manifestation of those principles.

II. The Federal Executive

1. The Offices of the Executive Branch

a. The Executive Branch of Eutopia shall consist of the President, the Cabinet, and their associated functions and personnel. The Vice President shall also be a member of the Executive insofar as may be necessary under this Constitution. These persons shall be elected in accordance with the procedures contained in Article V.

b. The President shall be the head of state and of government. The President shall be plenipotentiary in foreign policy issues and shall be the Commander-in-Chief of the Eutopian Defense Forces. The President shall enforce those laws properly passed by the General Assembly. The President shall oversee the Cabinet and its management. No person shall be elected President for two consecutive terms. Any bill passed by the assembly must be signed into law by the president, or otherwise vetoed. A vote in the assembly of two-thirds majority shall override a presidential veto.

c. The Vice-President shall be that person elected from among the members of the General Assembly to chair that body, pursuant to Article III, Section 4, and such rules as the members of the Assembly may create.

d. The Attorney General shall be the chief law enforcement officer, and shall defend Eutopia in the case of litigation against the nation. The Attorney General shall have charge over Federal law enforcement and the domestic intelligence agencies. The Attorney General shall enforce civil and property rights of Eutopian citizens, and ensure that the land borders of the country remain secure. The Attorney General shall act as prosecutor for the nation.

e. The Finance Minister shall regulate the industry, labor relations, domestic and foreign commerce of the nation, including customs; the natural resources of the nation, including forestry, mining, and fisheries; and Federal government finances, such as taxes.

f. The Interior Minister shall have charge over the lands and waters of Eutopia and the infrastructure necessary for the prosperity of the people, to include roads and railways, airports and seaports, the Coast Guard, environmental protection and national parks, including the Rangers, the postal service, and print and electronic media.

g. The Social Services Minister shall control matters relating to the general welfare of the Eutopian people, including welfare for the disadvantaged, the public health system of Eutopia, the Eutopian sports system, including the Olympic team, the general insurance funds of Eutopia, education, social exchange programs, Federally funded science and research programs, and drug control.

2. Removal, Impeachment and Succession

a. Any elected official of the Executive branch may be removed upon a finding by the President or, should the office in question be that of the President, by concurrence of the Vice President and two of the remaining Cabinet members, or by concurrence of three of the remaining Cabinet members. Such finding must conclude that the post in question is vacant due to the absence, incapacity, impeachment, or death of the official in question. The finding must be submitted to the High Court, who will rule only on the conformity of the finding with the formalities of this section.

b. The General Assembly may, with support of a majority of its members, institute impeachment proceedings against any Executive Branch official. Impeachment proceedings may be brought in the event of misconduct, willful refusal to fulfill the duties of office, or a false or misleading finding of removal. A single Member of the General Assembly shall be elected by that body to prosecute the case, and the Chief Justice of the High Court shall preside. Concurrence of two-thirds of the remaining Members of the General Assembly shall be necessary for conviction.

c. Should the office of the President become vacant, the Vice President shall fulfill the duties of President for the remainder of the term. The General Assembly shall elect a new Vice President.

d. Should the office of the Vice President become vacant, the General Assembly shall elect a new Vice President.

III. The Legislature

1. There shall be a unicameral legislative body known as the General Assembly. It shall consist of one hundred persons, appointed by registered and recognized political parties, in proportion to the percentage of votes garnered by that party in elections, as per Article V, except that no person may serve as a Member of the General Assembly who is also serving as a the chairman of a duly organized political party unless there exists a party legislator more senior than the chairman; nor may any person serve as a Member of the General Assembly who simultaneously holds an office in the Executive Branch, with the exception of the Vice President.

2. The General Assembly shall consider and vote upon legislation drafted by its members or proposed by the President or members of the Cabinet. Legislation shall be adopted upon a majority vote, except in the case of amendments to this document, which shall require a two-thirds majority of the members in favor.

3. The General Assembly shall, upon presentment by the President, consider and vote to approve treaties with foreign nations.

4. The General Assembly shall elect from among their number a Speaker to head that body. That person shall dictate the nature and length of debate on proposals before that body, and shall act as Vice President of the nation.

5. Members of the Assembly may be removed by their party for inactivity, willful refusal or inability to fulfill the duties of their office, or misconduct. The party controlling the vacant seat shall immediately nominate a new member.

IV. The Judiciary

1. The Judiciary will have two tiers; provincial courts and a Federal High Court. The High Court shall consist of judges learned in the law who are nominated by the President and approved by a majority of the General Assembly. The provincial judiciary shall consist of such lesser courts as the provinces shall create and fill in accordance with provincial law.

2. All cases shall originate in the provincial courts, except for those relating to high crimes or misdemeanors by members of the Executive or Legislative Branches, or matters relating to the powers of those Branches.

3. The High Court may judge and declare any action of government, either legislative or executive, to be in violation of this constitution. If so, said actions will be considered void. A vote of two-thirds in the assembly may overturn any such decision.

V. Elections

1. Every three years, elections shall be conducted to fill the elected offices of the Executive Branch and to determine the members of the General Assembly according to such regulations as the CRO may issue.

2. Each party properly registered with the Chief Registration Officer may submit to that Officer a ballot of offices it wishes to nominate a candidate for. This ballot shall list, in preferential order, the offices that the party wishes to control. The ballot may list any or all of the five electable executive offices, to include the President and the four Ministers.

3. Each party properly registered with the Chief Registration Officer may run for the General Assembly by any clear statement to the Officer to that effect. Any party running for the General Assembly is eligible for all seats in that body.

VI. The Budget

The President shall have responsibility for developing a budget at the beginning of each Term, which shall be submitted to the General Assembly and considered by that body as its first order of regular business following Speakership elections.

VII. The Eutopian Charter of Rights

Part A. Personal Rights

Art. 1. [Assembly] All persons shall have the right to peaceably assemble and to associate with one another.

Art. 2. [Movement] Citizens shall have the right to freely move within the country, and the right of citizens to re-enter the country may not be denied. This Article will be subject to the limitations and conditions of the Constitution. The Federal Parliament may limit this right based on compelling governmental interest.

Art. 3. [Petition] All persons shall have the right to petition a court of law of the country for redress of such grievances and causes of action that the law of the country recognizes, and to petition their government on any matter.

Art. 4. [Press] The freedom of the press shall not be denied.

Art. 5. [Privacy] Every person has the right to privacy in his or her person, effects, and property.

Art. 6. [Religion] The free exercise of religion shall not be restricted. The government shall take no role in religious affairs, and shall not sponsor or establish any religion.

Art. 7. [Speech] All persons shall have the right - in public or in private - to free speech, expression, thought, and conscience.

Art. 8. [Vote] The right of citizens who have attained the age of eighteen to vote in bona fide elections shall not be denied, except in the case of convicted felons, and then only under such circumstances as the Federal Parliament may designate.

Art. 9. [Life] All persons shall have the right to life. The power of the government to execute persons convicted of capital crimes and sentenced to death, in accordance with the procedures mandated by the Federal Parliament, shall not be considered an infringement on this right; nor shall abortion or do-not-resuscitate orders be considered violations of this right unless the Federal Parliament shall mandate otherwise.

Art. 10. [Education] All persons shall have the right to twelve years of education, starting at age six. All persons shall have the right to pursue whatever educational opportunities they are qualified for.

Art. 11. [Profession] Neither the government nor private organizations or industries shall infringe upon the right of citizens to pursue whatever lawful calling they may choose, provided they are qualified for it. The government may establish reasonable testing procedures to guarantee qualification, provided those procedures do not conflict with this Article or other provisions of this Charter. This provision shall not be taken to preclude citizens from forming labor unions or other professional organizations.

Art. 12. [Environment] All persons shall have the right to live and work in a safe environment conducive to their health, well-being, and personal growth.

Art. 13. [Firearms] All Federal and Provincial government agencies, organizations, and commissions subject to this Constitution shall make no law, proclamation, ruling, or order violating in any way, shape, or form the right of Eutopian citizens to own and bear firearms, except in cases where public safety is threatened. Exceptions shall include, but not be limited to, those convicted of violent crimes, the mentally handicapped, and those unable to pass a federal firearms examination, which will consist of brief physical and psychological testing. These tests shall not exceed the ability of the average citizen.

Part B. Rights of the Accused

Art. 14. [Arrest] No person shall be placed under arrest unless there exists probable cause to do so.

Art. 15. [Personal search] All citizens shall be secure in their persons and attendant effects except insofar as is necessary to guarantee the safety of law enforcement officers, or in cases where the citizen consents to being searched. Personal searches may be conducted pursuant to a validly conducted arrest. In circumstances where arrest is unavoidably imminent, including but not limited to cases of hot pursuit or where illegal evidence is in plain view, searches may constitutionally be conducted as though the suspect was already under arrest.

Art. 16. [Search of property, and seizure] The property of all persons, both real and personal, shall remain secure from unreasonable governmental intrusion, unless permitted by a duly authorized warrant. Such warrant shall be based upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and approved by a court. Such warrant shall designate
specifically the property to be searched. While conducting a search, government officials may seize only those things which may reasonably support an arrest and prosecution, or which may otherwise aid law enforcement in the conduct of their investigations.

Art. 17. [Counsel] All persons arrested for a crime shall have the right to consult with counsel before, during, and after trial.

Art. 18. [Bail] Bail shall be available in all cases, except those where the judge deems it imprudent. Bail amounts shall be proportional to the severity of the crime.

Art. 19. [Grand jury] A grand jury shall be convened in all felony cases to determine whether the government possesses adequate evidence to proceed with trial.

Art. 20. [Trial] Any citizen accused of a crime shall be informed of the charges against him prior to the first court appearance in respect of those charges. All persons accused of a felony shall be entitled to trial by a jury of their peers. All trials shall be conducted fairly, quickly, and within the public view. The accused shall not be denied the right to confront
the witnesses against him, nor the right to secure witnesses of his own.

Art. 21. [Self-incrimination] In criminal cases, the accused shall not be required to testify against his or her interest before, during, or after trial.

Art. 22. [Ex post facto laws] No citizen shall be subject to criminal charges for conduct completed when said conduct was made criminal.

Art. 23. [Double jeopardy] No citizen shall be required to stand trial twice for the same crime.

Art. 24. [Habeas corpus] No person detained within Eutopia's sovereign territory shall be denied the right to submit writs of habeas corpus to the courts for the review of government action.

Art. 25. [Punishment and fines] No citizen shall be subjected to torture or any method of cruel or unusual punishment, nor the threat of torture or cruel or unusual punishment; nor shall any citizen be subject to fines out of proportion with the severity of their crime.


Part C. Governmental Guarantees and Strictures

Art. 26. [Due process] The government shall at all times guarantee the due process of law as laid down by the provisions of the Constitution and as codified as customary international law.

Art. 27. [Citizenship] Citizenship may be acquired via jus soli, jus sanguinis, or by other means designated by the Federal Parliament. Citizenship, once granted, is unconditional and may not be revoked.

Art. 28. [Discrimination] No right or privilege, whether granted publicly or privately, by statute, code, regulation, common law, practice, or other means, shall be denied, abridged, or otherwise altered on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or indicia of those.

Art. 29. [Sovereign immunity] No unit of government, or authority created or delegated by that government, may be brought to account in a court of law unless the government shall give its consent so to do. No such governmental agency shall be immune from justly adjudicated liability unless it is also immune from suit. No governmental agency may
utilize this section to deny redress under a substantive right guaranteed by the Constitution.

Art. 30. [Extent of protection] The government shall at all times endeavor to protect the rights guaranteed herein, and the enumeration of the rights herein shall not be taken to deny additional rights to citizens as may be determined in accordance with this Constitution and the rule of law.

 

[Craig Ashley]

National Referendum on the Monarchy
National Census Bill

 

[Craig Ashley]

The final bills have passed the GA and been signed into law.

Economic Recovery and Tax Reform Act

1. The corporate tax rate on dividends paid is hereby eliminated. Corporations shall withhold a proportion of the dividend paid and pay that to the appropriate Federal and Provincial taxing authorites at the combined maximum tax rates, unless the recipient provides a tax payer identification number on a form requesting no witholding on dividends.

2. Corporations paying income tax will provide, along with dividend payment, a statement of the percentage eligible for federal tax credit, which shall be equal to the lesser of

- the average federal income tax rate paid by the corporaton that year, and
the federal tax paid by the corporation divided by the dividends paid.

-Income earned on dividends recieved by the shareholders will be taxed as ordinary income. Recipents of dividends may claim a tax credit for the amount of dividend recieved times the percentage eligible for federal tax credit.

3. Capital gains paid on profits made on stock sales shall be adjusted for inflation occuring in any full year the asset was held, and taxed at the normal income tax rate, not the special capital gains rate.

Narcotics Reform Act

I. Controlled substances possessing the following characteristics shall be classified as Class 1 Controlled Substances . They shall have little to no addictive qualities, present a moderate to small risk of fatal overdose, and shall not pose a excessive threat to public safety. The office of the General Attorney is authorized to decide the status of each individual controlled substances based on these guidelines, and its decisions in this matter are subject to judicial review.

Controlled substances possessing unacceptable levels of addiction, risk of overdose, or posing a strong threat to the public good shall be classified as Class II Controlled Substances and shall remain illegal.

II. Class I Controlled Sbstances , being defined above, shall be decriminalized. Users are still subject to local ordinances and fines, but shall not be punishable by imprisonment or other excessive penalties.

III. Use and possession without intent to distribute of Class II Controlled Substances offenders shall have the option to complete an prescribed addiction recovery program in lieu of any sentence. Completion shall result in the suspension of the sentence and a period of probation decided by the courts. Failure to complete the perscribed addiction recovery program shall result in the sentence being carried out in full.

The state shall have the option of either creating its own addiction recovery programs or using approved private organizations and paying for the individual's stay. Private organizations have the right to refuse offenders due to violent history if they are inadaquetely equipped to handle such risks.

This clause shall not affect the prosecution or sentencing of any other crimes commited while in possession of or under the influence of Class II Controlled Substances.

IV. Possession with intent to distribute shall remain subject to imprisonment and all other applicable penalties without the addiction recovery option.

V. Any controlled substances prescribed by a licensed doctor with the approval of the governing medical board shall be legal as long as that prescription remains valid.

VI. Following the recommendations of the ECB, the federal drug control budget for Term XIII shall be reduced by 0.25%. The law enforcement budget for Term XIII shall also be reduced by 0.25%

Veteran's Pension Act

In addition to current spending levels, an additional 0.25% of total government spending shall be dedicated towards an across the board increase in the pensions of Eutopia's veterans of the armed services. This increase shall come from within the current Military budget.

Once a new budget is introduced in Term 13, it will be enpowered to supercede this legislation.

 

[Craig Ashley]

Passed by the General Assembly:

Amended General Assembly Floor Rules
I. General Procedure

1. A "point of order" is always in order and requires an immediate ruling from the Speaker. A member of the General Assembly may challenge that ruling by stating "division", upon which an immediate vote shall be called to decide the matter.

2. Bills shall be introduced by submitting them to the Speaker's office. Seconds shall also be filed with the Speaker's office. When the Speaker or his deputy announces that a bill is to be debated now on the floor, the proposer shall make available copies of the proposed bill to the members of the General Assembly (OOC: post in the GA thread). The proposer will have the right to speak first on his bill.

3. All motions filed at the Speaker's office shall be a matter of public record.

4. A properly introduced bill with a proper second is required to have a vote, unless withdrawn by the author or dismissed by the Speaker.

5. Bills shall be amended by one of two means:

- The author accepts the proposed amendment as his own and willingly incorporates into his proposal

- The author rejects the proposal. In that case, the amendment will require a second to proceed. In the event of a second, a vote shall be taken after sufficient debate to decide if the amendment is attached to the proposal against the will of the author. A simple majority is all that is required.

6. Debate can end by one of three means:

- The Speaker rules debate has ended.

- Senior legislators representing parties that comprise a majority of the General Assembly move to end debate.

- A member of the General Assembly moves to end debate and the motion is seconded, then an immediate vote shall take place. A simply majority is all that is required to end debate.

7. The voting period for standard bills shall be no less than 48 hours (OOC: RL) unless all votes are cast before that time. The Speaker is authorized to create a longer voting window when the vote is called.

8. A quorum of 51 votes cast is required for any proposal to take affect.

II. Legislative Priority, Fast Track Legislation, and Emergency Legislation

1. Legislation which has a second and an ECB approved Fiscal Impact Report (or does not require a impact report) shall be the third priority. Bills that have a proper second shall be next (fourth) in priority. Chronological order of the original submission shall determine which bills in the same priority level will be considered first.

2. Legislation that is of a time sensative nature or addresses an immediate and compelling national need or interest can be fast tracked by one of three means:

- The author of the bill requests the Speaker authorize his bill as a fast track bill and the Speaker approves. The Speaker may not fast track his own proposals. Instead he must ask for the Deputy Speaker's approval in the matter. Or ...

- Senior Legislators representing parties that comprise a majority of the General Assembly, move for a bill to be fast tracked. These requests are to be filed at the Speaker's office. Or ...

- The author requests permission to fast track his legislation from the author's of the bills that currently have priority above his. For every author that grants permission, the proposal in question shall be given priority over. These requests and acceptance of the request are to be filed at the Speaker's office.

Once fast tracked, the proposal shall be given second priority, and normally would become the next matter for the body to consider, in the absence of any previously fast tracked legislation or emergency legislation.

3. Legislation that addresses matters that require an immediate action on the part of the General Assembly for the sake of the nation can be declared emergency legislation by one of two means:

- The author of the bill requests the Speaker authorize his bill as an emergency bill and the Speaker approves. The Speaker may not declare his own proposals emergency bills. Instead he must ask for the Deputy Speaker's approval in the matter. Or ...

- Senior Legislators representing parties that comprise a majority of the General Assembly, move for a bill to be an emergency bill. These requests are to be filed at the Speaker's office.

Emergency legislation shall immediately supercede all motions on the floor. Debate on the current motion shall cease until the emergency legislation has been properly addressed. The Speaker is also authorized to allow a shorter voting window for emergency legislation (OOC: 24 hours).


III. Other Powers and Duties of the Speaker

1. The Speaker shall be required to appoint a Deputy Speaker in a timely manner (OOC: 3 Days after his election). The Deputy Speaker shall perform the duties of the office of Speaker in the absence of the Speaker. Should the Speaker be removed or vacate his office, the Deputy Speaker shall conduct an election for a new speaker.

2. The Speaker is empowered to dismiss bills as frivolous, obstructionist, or repetitive.

3. The Speaker is empowered to temporarily remove members of the General Assembly who act in a manner that obstructs or distracts the General Assembly from its purposes of democracy, good government, and responsible legislation.

IV. Checks on the power of the Speaker

1. In matters of the Speaker ruling on ending debate, dismissing bills, approving fast track or emergency legislation, and temproarily dismissing members of the General Assembly the Speaker can be overruled by two methods:

- Senior legislators representing parties that comprise a majority of the General Assembly make a motion to overrule the Speaker.

- A vote is held and passes, after the proper introduction and seconding of a motion to overrule the speaker.

2. The Speaker shall not be allowed to serve as Senior Legislator to his own party. If the Senior Legislator of a party is elected to the office of Speaker, he shall be required to resign and his party appoint a new Senior Legislator.

V. Vacating the office of Speaker

Should the Speaker take an unannounced absence exceeding 5 days (OOC: RL), the General Assembly is empowered to declare the office vacant.

Should the Speaker take an announced absence exceeding 10 days (OOC: RL), the General Assembly is empowered to declare the office vacant.

 

[Craig Ashley]

Passed into law.

Shipping, Transportation, and Maritime Construction Stimulus Bill

I. Taxes

All companies in the shipping, transportation, and ship building or repair sectors shall be eligible for tax relief in the form of 70% of existing corporate tax rates for the next two terms. The following term, they shall be taxed at 85% of the existing rate. After which, they shall pay the full tax.

All new companies formed are automaticlly eligible for the tax relief. Existing companies must show they have made significant investments in internal capital investments for expanding or modernizing of operations and/or expanding their work force. MoF shall decide the specific details of qualification, subject to review by the General Assembly.

II. Grants and Training Programs

The Federal government shall adminster job training programs to qualified applicants in order increase the available pool of workers with the necessary skills for these industries.

Furthermore, MoF shall be authorized to issue grants to qualified companies in these sectors for start up or capital expansion. No company shall recieve a grant larger than 250 million dollars, and the total grants issues shall not exceed 0.5% of the budget. These grants and programs shall be administered by MoF and be available for the next three terms.

III. Finance

The Industry and Labor section of the budget shall be increased 0.75% to fund the grants and training programs.

 

[Craig Ashley]

Passed into law.

Infrastructure Expansion Act

I. Freeway Expansion

The following routes shall be added to the national freeway system in phase one: Uxbridge-Kirby-Harton-Farpoint, Harton-Dunwich-Gilford, Dunwich-Erikshamm, Chateauvallon-Villefrancha-Castellar-Rochefort-Grandeville-Hurteau. Phase two shall add the route of Kirby-Douglas-Nuewestbaden-Eauze.

Phase one's construction is authorized to begin immediately. Phase two shall begin in Term XV.

II. Airport Expansion

Chateauvallon International Airport shall be expanded by 35%. Eutopia City International Airport shall be expanded by 25%

III. Port Expansion

The port facilites in Eirkshamm by 50% and Hurteau's facilities shall be expanded by 25%. Additional funds will be made available to assit in upgrading local infrastructure needed to handle the expected increase in traffic. These additional funds shall not exceed 50% of any projects total costs, unless specifically exempted by the Minister of Interior.

IV. Finance

The Ministry ofthe Interior is authorized to oversee the expansions outlined above. The freeway expansion shall be financed by a 1% increase in the Land Transportation budget of Term XIII and an additional 1% of the federal budget under Land Transportation for Term XIV. Phase two will be financed by 0.4% of federal budget under Land Transporation in Term XV.

The air expansions shall be financed by the Air Transportation budget and begin immediately. In the event of any shortfalls, the MoI is authorized to create local taxes and levies of businesses that will gain from the expansion. These taxes and levies must be temporary in nature and not cause undue harm to the local economy.

The port expansion and the qualifying local infrastructure expansions shall be funded by the Sea Transportation budget and begin immediately. In the event of a shortfall, the MoI is authorized to create local taxes and levies of businesses that will gain from the expansion. These taxes and levies must be temporary in nature and not cause undue harm to the local economy.

 

[Craig Ashley]

Passed into law:

Revised Worker's Bill of Rights Act

I. Wages & Time Off
1. All workers are entitled to be made a minimum wage, as established by the government and indexed to inflation.
2. Workers are also entitled to two weeks vacation a year, after serving a qualifying period of no more than 9 months.
3. Employers shall make available to every employee an half-hour break at least once per 8-hour shift and a paid 10-minute break for each 4-hours worked.


II. Working conditions
1. Government will guarantee the institution of local representative commissions with effective powers for reporting health and security concerns workmates to state authorities without sanction
2 Government will ensure that sufficient government inspectors are employed to enforce health, safety, and labour laws in the workplace.
3. No worker shall be work more than 20 hours per week until reaching the age of 16. The government will provide exemptions for family-based businesses.


III. Workers Rights of Organization
1. Workers are guaranteed the union rights to organize inside the private sector, though the government reserves the right to replace workers in crises of national emergency.
2. Unions are guaranteed the rights to sue firms that don't respect labour laws
3. All workers over the age of 16 and in good standing of their unions shall be allowed to vote in professional elections.

V. Education and Training
1. The government shall commit itself to a program to develop industrial education that shall be made available in the secondary education system.
2. The government establish program to provide workplace training for the unemployed and shall give particular attention to retraining programs for those who have their lost their jobs in declining industries.


VI. Employment Security and Benefits
1. Workers are entitled to fair and reasonable unemployment benefits, as defined by the Reform of Unemployment Benefits Bill ("RUBB") or such legislation that the General Assembly shall later enact to amend or replace it.
2. Workers shall be entitled to full retirement rights after 40 years of full contribution.

 

[Craig Ashley]

Passed into law.

Clean Eutopia Act

I. Illegal Dumping/Littering

A. Littering: $100-$500 dollar fine. Cigarettes and other small trash must be put into proper receptacles, not just tossed on the ground.

B. Trash dumping: $500-$10,000 fine. Anything from a few bags of trash to truckloads of trash dumping in nonapproaved locations, aka landfills.

C. Chemical Dumping: $1,000-$1,000,000 fine. Whether by invidual or a business, chemical dumping of such is now illegal. Such chemicals must be disposed of in approved containers and stored or destroyed properly.

D. Biological Dumping: $1,000 to $100,000 fine. For dumping biological materials up to and including biohazardous materials instead of disposing of them in the proper manner.


II. Emissions

A. Internal Combustion/ Steam Engine Emissions: Automotive manufactures and steam engine manufacturers must reduce emissions by 50%. Manufacturers who cannot meet these standards within 10 years of the passing of this bill will no longer be allowed to do business in Eutopia. Such manufacturers include automobiles, trucks, SUV's, buses, motorcycles and any other conveyance that uses such engines as well as supplemental power generators.

B. Smoke Stack Emissions. Fines will range from $50,000 - $1,000,000. Electrical power plants as well as factories must reduce such emissions by 40% within ten years of this bill passing. Failure to do so will result in the levying of fines and a warning to comply within one more term or face further fines and/or the immediate shut down of the facility.

III. Clean Water

A. Trash Dumping:$500-$100,000 fine. Whether by individual or business such would immediately become illegal upon passing of this bill.

B. Chemical Dumping:$1,000-$1,000,000 fine. Whether by individual or business such is now illegal upon the passing of this bill. Businesses have 5 years to completely halt all such dumping, whether by pipe or whatever other means they are doing such or face maximum fines and a warning to comply within 1 more year or face further fines and/or a complete closure of the facility.

C. Biological Dumping: $1,000-$1,000,000 fine. Whether by individual or business such dumping is now illegal. Businesses have 2 year to comply with this law or face maximum fines and/or closure of the facility.

D. Engine Emissions From Watercraft: $250-$100,000 fine. Whether by individual or business such emissions such as fuel and oil leakage, must be reduced by 75%. Proper maintenance of of engines is the personal or businesses responsibility. There is a 2 year window on this subsection D to comply.


IV. Enforcement

A. The Eutopian Environmental Agency in the Environmental department of the Ministry of the Interior will be responsible for inspecting air, water, and ground quality at, surrounding, and near businesses to ensure compliance.

B. The EEA is responsible for levying fines and closing noncompliant businesses.

C. The EEA will is empowered to act on tips and to conduct regular inspections of factories and work sites.

D. Criminal action is construed as habitually continuing to pollute. A third offense is considered habitual and prosecution will follow. Minimum sentence is recommended at 1 year while a maximum sentence is recommended at 10 years. Except in the case of habitual littering, where the minimum sentence is recomended at 3 days and the maximum is recomended at 60 days.

F. Fine amounts levied will depend on the amount of environmental damage that is determined.


V. Finance

A. The Eutopian Environmental Agency which is the agency charged with enforcing this bill will be funded by the Ministry of the Interior.

B. Fines levied will be placed in interest bearing funds to help with the costs of environmental clean up projects.

VI. Tax Incentives

A. All one time costs incurred to meet these regulations over the next three years will be applied towards a tax credit. The credit will not exceed 5% of the companies total tax liability. Any credits not applied the year they were incurred, may be rolled over to the next year and each successive year, with the annual credit never exceeding 5% of the total tax liability, until the credit is spent in full.

VII. Exemptions, Extensions, and Standards for New Enterprises

A. Companies that produce minimal levels of emissions may be granted whole or partial exemptions by the Ministry of the Interior.

B. Extensions may be granted by the Ministry of the Interior if the company in question can show that compliance would create an undue burden. The Ministry of the Interior is authorized to create temporary standards that the company must achieve during its extension.

C. All actions by the MoI involving exemptions and extensions are subject to review by the General Assembly.

D. All companies, facilities, and other enterprises started after this bill's passage must comply with equivilent standards as outlined above. The Ministry of the Interior is authorized to create specific standards and guidelines.

 

[Craig Ashley]

Passed into law:

Capital Punishment Re-Evaluation Act

I. Evaluation

A. The General Assembly hereby mandates that the Attorney General his office begin a commission that will investigate the effectiveness and accuracy of the application of capital punishment. A finished report on the findings of this investigation will be published no later than the end of Term XIV.

B. The General Assembly shall, after the publication of the report, direct the Attorney General to implement necessary reforms to capital punishment.

II. Moratorium

A. Completion of Capital Punishment sentences shall be suspended from the passing of this bill until one year after the completion and publication of the aforementioned report.

B. This General Assembly hereby states its wish that future legislative bodies investigate all possible reform measures before rendering capital punishment illegal.

II. Accuracy

A. In all cases of murder to which capital punishment may be applied, the death penalty may hereby only be sentenced if guilt has been confirmed by conclusive DNA analysis. An appeals court will have final discretion if it the conclusiveness of such analysis is in question.

B. This article is retroactive for all cases sentenced with the death penalty where guilt has not been proven by DNA analysis.

 

[Craig Ashley]

                      Term XIV    
                      Budget
[b]President[/b]			
Government Admin.	4.5        
Defense 	        8
Foreign Intelligence	1.25       
Foreign Aid	        0        
Foreign Affairs	        1.5        
			
[b]Attorney General[/b]			
Federal Law Enf.	5.25       
Domestic Intelligence	2          
Border Protection	1          
Court System	        3          
			
[b]Interior Minister[/b]
Land Transportation	4          
Air Transportation	2          
Sea Transportation	3          
Coast Guard	        3        
Environ. Protection     1.5       
National Parks	        1          
Postal Service	        2          
Government Media	2.75       
			
[b]Finance Minister[/b]			
Industry and Labor	7.25       
Trade and Customs       4          
Natural Resources	3          
Treasury Enforcement    2          
			
[b]Social Services Minister[/b]
Public Health	        10
Welfare	                13.5
Omnicare	        8.25
Sports	                0.75
Education	        4  
Science and Research     2.25
Drug Control	        0.5
			
[b]Anticipated Income	102
			
Total Expenditures	 101.25
			
Surplus/Deficit	         0.25*[/b]

* after debt service for Term XIII

 

[unmerged(1522)]

Passed into law: Bill E3B-14.

Vehicle Exhaust Regulations Bill


Preface – The purpose of this bill being to establish better standards for the exhaust outputs of atomized vehicles and lay the foundation for a more environment friendly Eutopia.

Background – Emissions from single cars are generally low, relative to the smokestack image many people associate with air pollution. But in many of the country’s most populous cities, the personal automobile is the largest polluter, with the exhaust thousands of vehicles on the road adding-up. Auto emissions are by-products derived from, mostly, the burning of fuels to encourage locomotion and the evaporation of fuel itself. In “perfect” combustion oxygen in the air would convert all hydrogen in the fuel into water and all the carbon into carbon dioxide. Combustion is not, however, perfect and the average car emits several pollutants into the air that damage the environment.

Article I – Manufacturers of steam and internal combustion engines are subject to the reduction of emissions from their machinery. Machinery subject to this new standard includes automobiles, trucks, SUV's, buses, motorcycles and any other conveyance that uses such engines as well as supplemental power generators. In addition, a program of auto-inspection will be established within Eutopia. Those vehicles/machines of the above-mentioned natures will be subject to such and required to fix exhaust problems in a time of one year. The main focus of this act is solely upon tailpipe exhaust;

Tailpipe Exhaust – Tailpipe exhaust is usually associated as the main source of pollutants from the average observer. In order to cope with Eutopia’s lack of standards but still remain economically feasible, this bill will attempt to instate slight standards similar to those mandated within the United States as of 1981. The slightly modified standards are, thus, 0.37 gram per mile total hydrocarbons, 3.2 grams per mile carbon monoxide, .9 gram per mile nitrogen oxides. In forcing those reductions, the output of other measurable toxins will be reduced further.

Article II – Foreign auto-manufacturers that import vehicles into the UPE will be bound by the regulations set forth within this document, as will any auto-manufacturer that establishes itself within the state.

Article III – Those manufacturers that do not comply with the terms of this bill within a period of three years will be subjected to a fine equal to 150% of the profits they have obtained from sub-par machinery sales. The same fine will be applied to the import dues of foreign manufacturers trying to bring sub-par machines into the UPE.

Article IV – As this bill will act only as the foundation for a continued program of environmental cleaning, which will progress as funds are allotted, manufactures might find it prudent to exceed the new exhaust specifications rather than merely meeting them.

 

[Josephus I]

The Vandelft Amendment to the NBRA passes by a vote of 96-4.

New Bengal Reconstruction Act


WHEREAS the island of New Bengal has been devastated by the ravages of civil war,

WHEREAS reconstruction of New Bengal is crucial to alleviate human suffering and to protect the welfare of the island of Eutopia as a whole,

WHEREAS the countries of the island of Eutopia are bound by ties of history, kinship, respect, and an obligation of mutual regard,

THEREFORE the General Assembly enacts the following.


Part I. Funding

1. Under the terms of this Act, the United Provinces of Eutopia shall intially contribute a total of 1.8 BP to New Bengal reconstruction. This amount shall be financed in accordance with Sections 2, 3, 4 and 5 of this Act.

2. The Term XIV Budget allocates 0.75 BP to tax cuts. With passage of this Act, these tax cuts shall be re-allocated as follows, in a manner that devotes 0.55 BP to New Bengal reconstruction:
(a) 0.1 BP shall be used to implement a general corporate tax cut;
(b) 0.1 BP shall be used to raise the minimum threshold of all income tax brackets in a uniform fashion;
(c) 0.2 BP shall be allocated to tax cuts for individuals, organizations, and corporations investing in the New Bengal reconstruction effort during Term XIV, commensurate with the amount invested;
(d) individuals, organizations, and corporations shall have the opportunity to donate to a New Bengal Solidarity Fund, to be established in accordance with Sections 7, 8 and 12 of this Act; during Term XIV, all contributions to that Fund shall be tax-deductible, up to a total amount of 0.35 BP;
(e) with passage of this Act, the Tax Relief and Reform Act shall be dismissed without discussion or vote.

3. The Term XIV Budget allocates 0.5 BP to payment of debts incurred in Term XIII. Debt payment shall be deferred to Term XV, and these funds shall instead be allocated to the New Bengal Solidarity Fund.

4. The Term XIV Budget projects a budget surplus of 0.25 BP. These funds shall be allocated to the New Bengal Solidarity Fund.

5. The Term XIV Budget allocated an 0.5 BP increase to foreign affairs. These funds shall instead be allocated to the New Bengal Solidarity Fund.

6. Nothing in this Act prevents the General Assembly from allocating additional funds, in any amount or manner it sees fit, to the New Bengal reconstruction effort by way of future legislation, if this is deemed necessary.


Part II. Dispersal of Funds

7. With passage of this Act, the President shall be required to establish a government agency by the name of New Bengal Solidarity Fund. The purpose of that agency shall be to raise funds for New Bengal reconstruction in accordance with Section 2.(d) of this Act and to disperse any funds it raises in this manner, and further to disperse any funds that are allocated to it in accordance with Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 of this Act.

8. The New Bengal Solidarity Fund shall operate under the auspices of the office of the President. The President shall appoint a Director to oversee the operations of the Fund.

9. The New Bengal Solidarity Fund shall disperse the funds allocated to it by way of transfer to that government agency charged by the Tilapian government with overseeing, financing, planning and implementing the New Bengal reconstruction effort.

10. Further to Section 9 of this Act, the New Bengal Solidarity Fund shall transfer any funds in bi-annual installments, subject to satisfactory usage of those funds by the Tilapian government agency in question. Satisfactory usage requires that Eutopian funds allocated to the Tilapian government agency in question are used in a manner that is both transparent and takes into account, as far as practicable, the demands and concerns of the government of the Tilapian province of New Bengal as regards reconstruction.

11. The New Bengal Solidarity Fund must prepare a report on its operations and dispersal of funds at the end of Term XIV, and the end of any future Term should its existence be extended. Any such report must be submitted to the General Assembly for approval.

12. The New Bengal Solidarity Fund shall initially be established for the remainder of Term XIV. Its existence may be extended by the General Assembly if deemed necessary.