What Do You Like?

[Abstain]

In regards to the current constitution and legal code what do we like and feel should be left alone or tweaked slightly, and what do we feel is in need of major revision?

As we get a general idea of what people feel needs changed the most we can begin to work on that area first to improve upon it.

I, personally, like the delegate being elected by the people and given freedom in selecting their cabinet. However I feel that there should be a way to require certain executive offices to be filled. If the delegate doesn't select someone then the RA should have the ability to appoint someone to do the job. Thereby giving the delegate some freedom, but preventing them from slacking and doing nothing.

I also like the easy to enter RA with an elected Speaker. The one issue I have is that as long as voting is going on new members can't be admitted. Tracking when people are admitted is no issue and I see no issue with allowing them entry during a vote but prohibiting them from voting in any vote already in progress.

The structure of the courts works, it is just a matter of having things happen and stay on track but that is up to the justices.

For elections the eligibility requirements are fair, the terms aren't too short, and there are no crazy requirements needed to be declared the winner. A good change I would like to see is finding a safe way to open up voting to a larger number of people.

That's all I have for now.

 

[Eluvatar]

Agreed 100% and I will apply these changes that aren't in my proposal yet, to it.

What do you think of my proposal's method for expanding the electorate?

 

[mcmasterdonia]

I like the idea of the regional assembly appointing ministers should the delegate fail to do so. It also gives ministers greater accountability, as they are accountable to both the delegate and the regional assembly.

 

[Eluvatar]

Well ministers currently can be *recalled* by the Assembly. They just can't be replaced.

 

[mcmasterdonia]

Still, i think the fact that ministers could be recalled and replaced encourages a greater level of accountability. It would help ministers to realise the importance of maintaining the confidence of the assembly, in my view, at least.

 

[Eluvatar]

Yes you're probably right. The threat of recall is much more powerful if the Assembly can then replace the minister, rather than hoping the Delegate does.

 

[mcmasterdonia]

Could we perhaps change it so, the delegate suggests a candidate for the position of a minister, and the regional assembly must approve it. It would be rather like the Senate hearings over the appointment of Secretaries for state departments in real life. I am not sure how practical this would be on here, however.

By 'must' approve it, i mean for the minister to be able to take his/her position, the regional assembly needs to approve it. Should the minister be rejected by the assembly, the delegate can select an alternative.

 

[Abstain]

I'm generally opposed to that idea as the delegate picks who they want to work with, even if they aren't the most popular with the region. Having a confirmation vote forces the delegate to also have to find someone who can get approval from the RA.

With what I'd like to see we'd let the delegate continue as normal but give them one or two ministries they have to fill. If they choose not to do their job then there is a mechanism for the region to get things done.

 

[mcmasterdonia]

Fair enough. I think accountability would be stronger under my suggestion, not to mention it provides the regional assembly more authority to deal with unruly delegates. But i would be happy to support your suggestion should it come to a vote.

 

[Eluvatar]

I'd be much more willing to let the Assembly remove ministers with a simple majority than to support requiring its approval.

So perhaps something like this, inserted somewhere:

N. The Regional Assembly may remove an Executive Officer by simple majority vote.
N+1. Executive Officer positions may be created in the Legal Code which may, should the Delegate fail to appoint to them, be filled by a simple majority vote of the Assembly.

And

1. A vote to recall an Executive Officer will last three days.
2. To elect an Executive Officer, an Assembly member must nominate a candidate to a vacant position established in the legal code and have the nomination seconded. There must then soon be a three day vote on whether to elect that candidate.
3. Should the Assembly elect a candidate, any ongoing votes to elect to that position will be closed and discounted.

 

[Romanoffia]

I'd be much more willing to let the Assembly remove ministers with a simple majority than to support requiring its approval.

So perhaps something like this, inserted somewhere:

N. The Regional Assembly may remove an Executive Officer by simple majority vote.
N+1. Executive Officer positions may be created in the Legal Code which may, should the Delegate fail to appoint to them, be filled by a simple majority vote of the Assembly.

And

1. A vote to recall an Executive Officer will last three days.
2. To elect an Executive Officer, an Assembly member must nominate a candidate to a vacant position established in the legal code and have the nomination seconded. There must then soon be a three day vote on whether to elect that candidate.
3. Should the Assembly elect a candidate, any ongoing votes to elect to that position will be closed and discounted.

I agree. A Delegate should have a certain level of authority in appointing the ministers of the government - leaving removal to the RA or the Delegate at will.

 

[Eluvatar]

A number of people have expressed annoyance at the current system for line of succession.

I'd also like to formalize the above proposal.

So.... a Bill!

A bill to amend the Constitution of the North Pacific, enact a law, and adopt two Regional Assembly procedures. No part of this bill will take effect unless the entirety of the bill takes effect.

1. Article V, Section 2, Clause 3 shall be struck from the Constitution.

3. From time to time, the Council may, by majority vote, recommend an order of succession to the Delegacy beyond the Vice Delegate among members of the Security Council who are members of the Assembly. The order of succession shall be determined first, by length of current service on the Council, and if necessary, then by influence level, and then by endorsement level of Council members who have equal levels of service and then, of equal influence level. The Assembly shall immediately vote on the adoption of such recommendation by a majority vote.

2. A new Section 4 to Article II shall be inserted into the Constitution:

Section 4. Non-Legislative Action

1. Whenever a new member shall be admitted to the Security Council, or a current member removed, the Regional Assembly will adopt an order of succession to the Delegacy beyond the Vice Delegate among members of the Security Council who are members of the Assembly. Such an order of succession must be adopted by a majority of votes cast.
2. The Regional Assembly may remove an Executive Officer by simple majority vote.
3. Executive Officer positions may be created in the Legal Code which may be filled by a simple majority vote of the Assembly when permitted by law.

3. A new Law shall be adopted as part of the Legal Code:

Mandatory Ministries Act

1. There will be an Executive Officer charged with the North Pacific's foreign affairs. They will ensure the continued operation of any embassies of the North Pacific.
2. There will be an Executive Officer charged with welcoming. They will be tasked with ensuring that nations founded in the North Pacific are appropriately greeted, that newcomers to the regional forum and to regional internet relay chats shall be welcomed and helped with any questions, and with the maintenance of regional FAQs.
3. There will be an Executive Officer charged with military affairs. They will carry out such legal missions as are authorized by the Delegate, expressly or categorically.
4. An Executive Officer may sustain multiple roles defined by this Act.
5. The Regional Assembly may elect an Executive Officer should one of the roles defined by this act remain vacant for seven days or in connection with the Regional Assembly removing the Executive Officer charged with that role.

4. A new procedure will be adopted by the Regional Assembly.

Adoption of an Order of Succession
1. Whenever the Assembly is tasked with adopting an order of succession beyond the Vice Delegate, there will be 2 days for proposing one.
2. If at the end of the proposal period there is one proposal, it will be subject to a simple majority vote on the question of whether to adopt it, open for five days.
3. If at the end of the proposal period there is more than one proposal, the several proposals will be subject to a vote on on the question of which of them to adopt, open for five days.
4. If at the conclusion of a vote on adopting an order of succession no order of succession shall have achieved a majority of votes cast, this procedure will begin again.

5. A new procedure will be adopted by the Regional Assembly.

Removing and/or Replacing Executive Officers
1. A legal motion may be filed to remove an executive officer.
2. Such a motion may name a replacement.
3. If seconded, such a motion will move to a vote within two days.
4. The vote on this motion will be open for five days.

6. If this bill passes, the Regional Assembly will then adopt a new line of succession beyond the Vice Delegate as though a member were added to or removed from the Security Council.

 

[mcmasterdonia]

I would support this change fully.