New Legislation Notifications

Mr/Mrs/Other-Gendered Delegate,

A bill to amend Chapter 6, Clause 7 of the Legal Code has passed the Regional Assembly, and is presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it will become law on 20th of January, 2015. The text of the bill is as follows:

A bill to amend Chapter 6 Clause 7 of the Legal Code:
I hereby move that Chapter 6, Clause 7 of the Legal Code shall be amended as follows:
7. If an applicant is rejected for failing an evaluation by the Vice Delegate, the Regional Assembly shall immediately debate the rejection and will hold a majority vote on whether to uphold the rejection, the vote beginning two days after the rejection
.


Thank you for your time. Your attention in this matter is greatly appreciated.

-Lord Nwahs
Speaker of the Regional Assembly
 
Approved
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Delegate of the North Pacific
 
Dear Mr. Delegate,

The Superfluous Elections Prevention Act has passed in the Regional Assembly and presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it will become law on March 24th, 2015. The text of the bill is as follows:

Superfluous Elections Prevention Act:
TNP Legal Code Chapter 4, Section 5, Clause 21, shall be amended to read:
A special election will be held in the event of a vacancy in any elected office or position, unless the election would be unable to conclude prior to two weeks before the beginning of the next scheduled election cycle for that office.

Thank you for you time, your attention on this matter is greatly appreciated.

Bootsie
Speaker of the Regional Assembly
 
Dear Mr. Delegate,

The SC Admission and Oath Amendment has passed in the Regional Assembly, and is presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it shall become law on March 31st 2015. The text of the bill is as follows:

SC Admission and Oath Amendment:
Article 6, Clause 2 of the Constitution will be amended to read
Once an application has been submitted, the Security Council may nominate that applicant by a majority vote. The Regional Assembly may confirm a nominated applicant by a majority vote. If the Security Council does not nominate an applicant or does not act on them within thirty days, the Regional Assembly may appoint the applicant by a two-thirds majority vote.
A new clause will be added after clause 2, reading
Nominations remain in effect until revoked by majority vote of the Security Council.
Section 4.1, Clause 2 of the Legal Code will be amended to read
All government officials will be required to take the Oath of Office within one week of their election, as certified by the Election Commissioner; appointment, as publicly announced; or confirmation, as verified by a member of the Speaker's Office. The taking of the Oath constitutes assumption of the office. Failure to post the oath within the allotted time will result in the office being considered vacant, to be filled in accordance with all laws governing elections, appointments, or confirmations, as is appropriate for the office in question.
Thanks for your time and attention in this matter.

Bootsie
Speaker of the Regional Assembly
 
Mr. Delegate,

The Judicial Conflict of Interests Act has passed the Regional Assembly, and is presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it will become law on April 11, 2015. The text of the bill is as follows:

Judicial Conflict of Interests Act:
A new clause will be inserted in Article 7 of the Constitution, following Clause 5, reading:
TNP Constitution:
6. Any temporary replacement for a government official in the case of an absence or vacancy will be considered a government official in the branch of the official being replaced, regardless of the method of their selection.
Chapter 3, Section 3.2 of the Legal Code shall be amended to read:
TNP Legal Code Chapter 3:
Section 3.2: Recusals and Hearing Officers
4. If one or more Justice positions are vacant, or any Justice is absent or has recused themselves, the remaining Justices will promptly appoint replacements from among available citizens to participate as temporary Hearing Officers.
5. If all Justices are vacant, absent, or have recused themselves, the Delegate will promptly appoint the needed Hearing Officers from among available citizens with the agreement of the Speaker.
6. Hearing Officers are government officials in the judicial branch, and are subject to the same restrictions and requirements as other judicial officials. Any recusal or absence from a Hearing Officer will be treated as a vacancy.
7. A conflict of interest occurs when a Justice or Hearing Officer has a demonstrable material interest in a matter before the Court or when they are otherwise unable to rule in a fair and unbiased manner.
8. Justices are required to recuse themselves from matters where they have a conflict of interest, or there is a potential conflict of interest.
9. The Court may recuse any Justice or Hearing Officer by majority vote, and is required to hold such a vote when publicly requested by the petitioner or defendant in the matter at hand, by the Attorney General's office, or by any individual officially acting on the behalf of any of the preceding parties; however, such a request is not required for the Justices to hold said vote.
10. The Regional Assembly may force any Justice or Hearing Officer to recuse themselves by a majority vote.

Thank you for your time. Your attention in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Respectfully submitted,

[me]
Deputy Speaker of the Regional Assembly
 
I hereby Veto the Judicial Conflict of Interest Act.

~ Tomb, Delegate of The North Pacific
 
Ms. Acting Delegate:

The Emergency Law Bill has passed the Regional Assembly, and is presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it will become law on 29 May, 2015. The text of the bill is as follows:

Emergency Law Bill:
Chapter 6, Section 6.8 of the Legal Code will be struck.

A new Chapter will be added to the Legal Code immediately following Chapter 6, reading:
Chapter 7: Emergency Situations

Section 7.1: Emergency Powers
1. The Regional Assembly may declare an actual emergency by majority vote. Votes on declaring emergencies must be expedited, and may last no longer than three days.
2. Concurrent with the declaration of an emergency, or anytime afterward while the emergency is ongoing, the Regional Assembly may, by majority vote, make both binding and nonbinding recommendations related to the ongoing emergency to government officials regarding an appropriate course of action, enforcement of regional laws, or other similar matter.

Section 7.2: Disease Control
3. A NationStates event involving an outbreak of an infectious disease shall be considered an actual emergency, and does not require a declaration by the RA.
4. In advance of an outbreak, or promptly after an outbreak begins, the government must present a poll to the public regarding how the government should respond. The poll must contain at least three substantially different options. The government will respond according to the will of the public expressed through that poll.
5. During an outbreak, the delegate is authorized to act in any reasonable manner to pursue the adopted plan. This includes, but is not limited to, ejecting or banning nations from the region who have entered the region during the crisis and imposing restrictions on national movement into the region.
6. Nations ejected or banned because of the outbreak must be promptly unbanned and invited to return once the emergency is over.
7. During an outbreak, no nation may have their status as a resident or citizen removed solely for leaving the region, so long as they return within three days of the end of the emergency.
8. Following an outbreak, the Speaker must promptly contact any resident or citizen who remains outside the region, and inform them that they are at risk of losing their status if they do not return within three days.

Section 7.3: Forum Access
9. The existence of widespread obstacles that impede access to the official forum of The North Pacific, including, but not limited to, Denial of Service attacks and prolonged server downtime, shall be considered an actual emergency, and does not require a declaration by the RA.
10. The governmental authorities of the region must inform the public of any forum access emergency, and continue to provide updates to the extent that is practicable for the duration of the emergency.
11. During a forum access emergency, no resident may be penalized for failing to take actions for which access to the forum is required.
12. The governmental authorities of the region are authorized to take any reasonable actions which they deem appropriate and which are consistent with the spirit and intent of regional laws to preserve the continuity of both community and government for the duration of the emergency.

Section 7.4: WA Delegacy
13. The resignation, recall, or loss of World Assembly membership of the legal or acting Delegate, or any capture of the delegacy of The North Pacific by any nation not the legal or acting Delegate, shall be considered an actual emergency, and does not require a declaration by the RA.
14. Delegacy emergencies that fall outside the scope of the above clause may be declared by majority vote of the RA only with the recommendation of the legal or acting Vice Delegate, in consultation with the Security Council.
15. During a delegacy emergency, the legal or acting Delegate may authorize any individual in the Line of Succession to hold the delegacy and to take any actions related to that position, including, but not limited to, voting in the World Assembly, moderating the Regional Message Board, and ejecting and banning nations from the region.
16. The in-game Delegate must follow any instructions from the legal or acting Delegate as to the execution of their powers.

Thank you for your time.

Respectfully submitted,

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Speaker of the Regional Assembly
 
Mr. Delegate:

The COI Mark II Bill has passed the Regional Assembly, and is presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it will become law on 16 June, 2015. The text of the bill is as follows:

COI Mark II bill:
Section 3.2 of the Legal Code will be amended to read:
Section 3.2: Recusals and Hearing Officers
4. A conflict of interest occurs when a Justice or Hearing Officer has a vested interest in a matter before the Court, or when they are otherwise unable to rule in a fair and unbiased manner.
5. Justices and Hearing Officers are required to recuse themselves from matters where they have a certain or potential conflict of interest.
6. If one or more Justice positions are vacant, or any Justice is absent or has recused themselves, the remaining Justices will promptly appoint replacements from among available citizens to participate as temporary Hearing Officers.
7. If all Justices are vacant, absent, or have recused themselves, the Delegate will promptly appoint the needed Hearing Officers from among available citizens with the agreement of the Speaker.
8. Any recusal or absence of a Hearing Officer will be treated as a vacancy.
9. The Court may recuse any Justice or Hearing Officer by majority vote.
10. The Court must hold a vote on whether to recuse a Justice or Hearing Officer when publicly requested by the prosecution, defense, or petitioner in any matter before the Court.
Thank you for your time. Your attention in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
 
Crushing Our Enemies:
Mr. Delegate:

The COI Mark II Bill has passed the Regional Assembly, and is presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it will become law on 16 June, 2015. The text of the bill is as follows:

COI Mark II bill:
Section 3.2 of the Legal Code will be amended to read:
Section 3.2: Recusals and Hearing Officers
4. A conflict of interest occurs when a Justice or Hearing Officer has a vested interest in a matter before the Court, or when they are otherwise unable to rule in a fair and unbiased manner.
5. Justices and Hearing Officers are required to recuse themselves from matters where they have a certain or potential conflict of interest.
6. If one or more Justice positions are vacant, or any Justice is absent or has recused themselves, the remaining Justices will promptly appoint replacements from among available citizens to participate as temporary Hearing Officers.
7. If all Justices are vacant, absent, or have recused themselves, the Delegate will promptly appoint the needed Hearing Officers from among available citizens with the agreement of the Speaker.
8. Any recusal or absence of a Hearing Officer will be treated as a vacancy.
9. The Court may recuse any Justice or Hearing Officer by majority vote.
10. The Court must hold a vote on whether to recuse a Justice or Hearing Officer when publicly requested by the prosecution, defense, or petitioner in any matter before the Court.
Thank you for your time. Your attention in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,

I am pleased to approve the result of many months earnest labor by the Regional Assembly. I encourage the Court to promptly familiarize themselves with the new law and abide by it, and will keep its stipulations in mind should I be obliged to appoint Temporary Hearing Officers.

Yours in perpetuity,
eluvatar-cursive.png

(Eluvatar)
 
Mr. Delegate:

The NPA Doctrine Amendment has passed the Regional Assembly, and is presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it will become law on 17 June, 2015. The text of the bill is as follows:

NPA Doctrine Amendment:
The following shall be inserted into Chapter 8 of the Legal Code:
4d. The Regional Assembly is promptly informed of any NPAF operation upon deployment, with the exception of operations which the Delegate specifically classifies. The Regional Assembly must be promptly informed of any classified operation, as well as the reasons for the classification, as soon as possible following deployment.
Thank you for your time. Your attention in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
 
Crushing Our Enemies:
Mr. Delegate:

The NPA Doctrine Amendment has passed the Regional Assembly, and is presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it will become law on 17 June, 2015. The text of the bill is as follows:

NPA Doctrine Amendment:
The following shall be inserted into Chapter 8 of the Legal Code:
4d. The Regional Assembly is promptly informed of any NPAF operation upon deployment, with the exception of operations which the Delegate specifically classifies. The Regional Assembly must be promptly informed of any classified operation, as well as the reasons for the classification, as soon as possible following deployment.
Thank you for your time. Your attention in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,

I am pleased to approve this strengthening of the NPA Doctrine's oversight process. I will instruct the Ministry of Defense to implement it.

Yours in perpetuity,
eluvatar-cursive.png
 
Mr. Delegate:

The Quorum Reduction bill has passed the Regional Assembly, and is presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it will become law on 23 June, 2015 GMT. The text of the bill is as follows:

Quorum Reduction Bill:
The Legal Code, Section 6.1; Clause 16, shall be amended to read as follows:
16. The number of votes required to achieve quorum for any legislative vote is equal to one third of the number of citizens who have voted in at least one of the three most recent legislative votes. A legislative vote is a vote of the Regional Assembly to enact, amend or repeal laws.

Thank you for your time.

Respectfully submitted,

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Speaker of the Regional Assembly
 
RPI:
Mr. Delegate:

The Quorum Reduction bill has passed the Regional Assembly, and is presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it will become law on 23 June, 2015 GMT. The text of the bill is as follows:

Quorum Reduction Bill:
The Legal Code, Section 6.1; Clause 16, shall be amended to read as follows:
16. The number of votes required to achieve quorum for any legislative vote is equal to one third of the number of citizens who have voted in at least one of the three most recent legislative votes. A legislative vote is a vote of the Regional Assembly to enact, amend or repeal laws.

Thank you for your time.

Respectfully submitted,

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Speaker of the Regional Assembly



I am pleased to approve this pragmatic, albeit somewhat intricate, revision of the RA Quorum system to better work with the Regional Assembly as changed by the Voting Rights Act of several months ago.

Yours in perpetuity,
eluvatar-cursive.png
 
Madam Delegate,

A Bill to Split Chapter 6: Government Regulations into Chapter 6: Regional Assembly Statutes and Chapter 7: Executive Government has passed the Regional Assembly, and is presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it will become law on the 24th of October, 2015. The text of the bill is as follows:

Bill to Split Chapter 6: Government Regulations into Chapter 6: Regional Assembly Statutes and Chapter 7: Executive Government:
1. Chapter 6: Government Regulations of the Legal Code will be amended in its entirety as follows:
Chapter 6: Regional Assembly Statutes

1. Any Law regulating the voting or membership of the Regional Assembly of The North Pacific must be listed in this chapter.

Section 6.1: Citizenship Applications
2. Any resident may apply for citizenship using their regional forum account, by providing the name of their nation in The North Pacific, and swearing an oath as follows:
I, the leader of The North Pacific nation of [INSERT YOUR TNP NATION], pledge loyalty to The North Pacific, obedience to her laws, and responsible action as a member of her society. I pledge to only register one nation to vote in The North Pacific. I pledge that no nation under my control will wage war against the North Pacific. I understand that if I break this oath I may permanently lose my voting privileges. In this manner, I petition the Speaker for citizenship in The North Pacific.
3. A copy of the laws applicants are pledging to obey must be available to them at all times.
4. An application for citizenship ceases to be valid if at any time the applicant's declared nation in The North Pacific is not located in The North Pacific.
5. Forum administration will have 14 days to evaluate citizenship applicants and verify that they are not using a proxy or evading a judicially-imposed penalty. The Vice Delegate will have 3 days to perform a security assessment of the applicant. All security assessments will be performed in consultation with the Security Council, and in accordance with all laws of The North Pacific.
6. The Speaker will reject applicants who fail an evaluation by either forum administration or the Vice Delegate.
7. If an applicant is rejected for failing an evaluation by the Vice Delegate, the Regional Assembly shall immediately debate the rejection and will hold a majority vote on whether to uphold the rejection, the vote beginning two days after the rejection.
8. The Regional Assembly may overturn a previous decision to uphold the rejection of an applicant by majority vote.
9. The Speaker will accept all other applicants with valid applications.
10. The Speaker will process applications within 14 days. If an applicant has not been approved or rejected within that time, they will be automatically granted citizenship.

Section 6.2: Loss of Citizenship
11. The Speaker will maintain a publicly viewable roster of citizens.
12. The Speaker will promptly remove any citizens whose removal is ordered by the Court, or whose nation in The North Pacific leaves or ceases to exist.
13. The Speaker's office will promptly remove any citizens who fail to post in The North Pacific forum for over 30 consecutive days.
14. Citizens that have submitted a notice of absence, in accordance with any regulations set by the Speaker, shall be exempt from the provisions of the above clause for the stated duration of their absence.

Section 6.3: Voting
15. A citizen's vote will not be valid unless they maintain citizenship for the entire duration of the vote.
16. The number of votes required to achieve quorum for any legislative vote is equal to one third of the number of citizens who have voted in at least one of the three most recent legislative votes. A legislative vote is a vote of the Regional Assembly to enact, amend or repeal laws.

Section 6.4: War
17. A region or organization "at war" with TNP is one which has made a formal declaration, or made acts of war against The North Pacific, or vice versa, as deemed by a three-fifths majority vote of the Regional Assembly.
18. War does not constitute actions taken by or against any army of the North Pacific abroad unless the conflict meets the conditions above.
19. A state of war exists until a formal peace treaty, surrender terms, or similar, are recognized by the Regional Assembly.

Chapter 7: Executive Government

1. Any Law regulating the executive officers of The North Pacific may be listed in this chapter.

Section 7.1: Ejections and Bannings
2. The Delegate may eject or ban violators of NationStates rules.
3. The Delegate may eject or ban nations for which the Court has issued an indictment permitting it.
4. The Delegate will eject or ban nations that have been so sentenced by the Court.
5. The Delegate will promptly inform the region and Government of all ejections and bannings.

Section 7.2: The Attorney General
6. The election for the office of Attorney General shall be held during the Judicial Cycle.
7. Any deputy appointed by the Attorney General may not serve concurrently as either a Justice or a Temporary Hearing Officer.
8. The Attorney General shall have standing in all cases of judicial review brought before the Court.
9. Any person ("the complainant") may submit a criminal complaint to the office of the Attorney General, requesting that a criminal case be brought before the Court.
10. The Attorney General may, at their discretion, manage the prosecution of any criminal case requested.
11. In the event that the Attorney General is a defendant, the defence attorney, or a witness in a criminal case, the Delegate shall appoint an existing deputy Attorney General who is not similarly party to that case. The appointed deputy Attorney General may, at their discretion, manage the prosecution of the case.
12. Failing the existence of a deputy Attorney General who is able to manage the prosecution of a case, the Delegate may act as such a deputy Attorney General for the duration of the case. If the Delegate is a defendant, the defence attorney, or a witness in the case, then the Vice Delegate may act as such a deputy Attorney General for the duration of the case.
13. It is the duty of the Attorney General, and their deputies, to see to completion of any case the management of which they have undertaken.
14. If the original Attorney General, and their deputies, are unable to see to completion a pending case before the end of their term, the successor Attorney General will take over the managing of the prosecution.
15. If the Attorney General, and their deputies, decline to manage the prosecution of a requested criminal case, then the complainant may, at their discretion, manage themselves the prosecution of the criminal case. Otherwise, they may withdraw the complaint.
16. If the complainant has not stated their intent to either manage the prosecution of the case or withdraw the complaint within 30 days of the Attorney General and their deputies declining the case, the complaint will be considered withdrawn.
17. For the purposes of this section, "managing the prosecution of a case" includes but is not limited to: submitting an indictment to the Court for the relevant charges; arguing on the acceptance or rejection of the indictment; acting as the prosecutor for the duration of all stages of the criminal trial heard for the case; representing the prosecution in any separate judicial review hearings arising from the criminal trial; and appointing, directing, and removing an attorney to act in the above capacity in their place.

Section 7.3: Freedom of Information Act
18. The Delegate and appointed government officials will be delegated the task of informing the Assembly of any governmental action not already disclosed by the respective officers of the Executive.
19. All registered residents residing in The North Pacific may request information from the Government through the Delegate and the designated officers of the Executive.
20. The Delegate and the designated officers of the Executive will endeavour to retrieve information requested from the different departments of the government, who are obligated to release this information provided it will not and/or does not present a threat to regional security or unduly impinge on the privacy of private residents, and
21. Residents which do not receive this information for any reason not specifically designated in appropriate laws or regulations may file a request for the information in a regional court, where the Delegate and the designated officers of the Executive may present evidence that addresses any claim that release of the information impairs Regional security.
22. Information not disclosed because of issues pertaining to Regional security will be classified by the majority vote of the Court sitting as a three-member panel.
23. Information whose disclosure is deemed a security threat to the Region will be released by the affirmative vote of a majority of a three-member panel of the Court, no sooner than 2 months after the original request, once the threat no longer exists.

Section 7.4: Mandatory Ministries
24. 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 and will report on events in the region.
25. 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.
26. An Executive Officer may sustain multiple roles defined by this Act.
27. The Regional Assembly may elect an Executive Officer should one of the roles defined by this act remain vacant for seven days.

Section 7.5: World Assembly Voting
28. The Delegate may vote on all World Assembly (WA) resolutions as they see fit, using any method to determine their vote as they decide.

2. Chapter 9: The North Pacific Army Doctrine will become Chapter 8: The North Pacific Army Doctrine.

3. Chapter 7: Emergency Situations will become Chapter 9: Emergency Situations.

4. Chapter 8: Cultural Declarations will become Chapter 10: Cultural Declarations.
Thank you for your time. Your attention in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Respectfully submitted,
Zyvetskistaahn
 
Zyvetskistaahn:
Madam Delegate,

A Bill to Split Chapter 6: Government Regulations into Chapter 6: Regional Assembly Statutes and Chapter 7: Executive Government has passed the Regional Assembly, and is presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it will become law on the 24th of October, 2015. The text of the bill is as follows:

Bill to Split Chapter 6: Government Regulations into Chapter 6: Regional Assembly Statutes and Chapter 7: Executive Government:
1. Chapter 6: Government Regulations of the Legal Code will be amended in its entirety as follows:
Chapter 6: Regional Assembly Statutes

1. Any Law regulating the voting or membership of the Regional Assembly of The North Pacific must be listed in this chapter.

Section 6.1: Citizenship Applications
2. Any resident may apply for citizenship using their regional forum account, by providing the name of their nation in The North Pacific, and swearing an oath as follows:
I, the leader of The North Pacific nation of [INSERT YOUR TNP NATION], pledge loyalty to The North Pacific, obedience to her laws, and responsible action as a member of her society. I pledge to only register one nation to vote in The North Pacific. I pledge that no nation under my control will wage war against the North Pacific. I understand that if I break this oath I may permanently lose my voting privileges. In this manner, I petition the Speaker for citizenship in The North Pacific.
3. A copy of the laws applicants are pledging to obey must be available to them at all times.
4. An application for citizenship ceases to be valid if at any time the applicant's declared nation in The North Pacific is not located in The North Pacific.
5. Forum administration will have 14 days to evaluate citizenship applicants and verify that they are not using a proxy or evading a judicially-imposed penalty. The Vice Delegate will have 3 days to perform a security assessment of the applicant. All security assessments will be performed in consultation with the Security Council, and in accordance with all laws of The North Pacific.
6. The Speaker will reject applicants who fail an evaluation by either forum administration or the Vice Delegate.
7. If an applicant is rejected for failing an evaluation by the Vice Delegate, the Regional Assembly shall immediately debate the rejection and will hold a majority vote on whether to uphold the rejection, the vote beginning two days after the rejection.
8. The Regional Assembly may overturn a previous decision to uphold the rejection of an applicant by majority vote.
9. The Speaker will accept all other applicants with valid applications.
10. The Speaker will process applications within 14 days. If an applicant has not been approved or rejected within that time, they will be automatically granted citizenship.

Section 6.2: Loss of Citizenship
11. The Speaker will maintain a publicly viewable roster of citizens.
12. The Speaker will promptly remove any citizens whose removal is ordered by the Court, or whose nation in The North Pacific leaves or ceases to exist.
13. The Speaker's office will promptly remove any citizens who fail to post in The North Pacific forum for over 30 consecutive days.
14. Citizens that have submitted a notice of absence, in accordance with any regulations set by the Speaker, shall be exempt from the provisions of the above clause for the stated duration of their absence.

Section 6.3: Voting
15. A citizen's vote will not be valid unless they maintain citizenship for the entire duration of the vote.
16. The number of votes required to achieve quorum for any legislative vote is equal to one third of the number of citizens who have voted in at least one of the three most recent legislative votes. A legislative vote is a vote of the Regional Assembly to enact, amend or repeal laws.

Section 6.4: War
17. A region or organization "at war" with TNP is one which has made a formal declaration, or made acts of war against The North Pacific, or vice versa, as deemed by a three-fifths majority vote of the Regional Assembly.
18. War does not constitute actions taken by or against any army of the North Pacific abroad unless the conflict meets the conditions above.
19. A state of war exists until a formal peace treaty, surrender terms, or similar, are recognized by the Regional Assembly.

Chapter 7: Executive Government

1. Any Law regulating the executive officers of The North Pacific may be listed in this chapter.

Section 7.1: Ejections and Bannings
2. The Delegate may eject or ban violators of NationStates rules.
3. The Delegate may eject or ban nations for which the Court has issued an indictment permitting it.
4. The Delegate will eject or ban nations that have been so sentenced by the Court.
5. The Delegate will promptly inform the region and Government of all ejections and bannings.

Section 7.2: The Attorney General
6. The election for the office of Attorney General shall be held during the Judicial Cycle.
7. Any deputy appointed by the Attorney General may not serve concurrently as either a Justice or a Temporary Hearing Officer.
8. The Attorney General shall have standing in all cases of judicial review brought before the Court.
9. Any person ("the complainant") may submit a criminal complaint to the office of the Attorney General, requesting that a criminal case be brought before the Court.
10. The Attorney General may, at their discretion, manage the prosecution of any criminal case requested.
11. In the event that the Attorney General is a defendant, the defence attorney, or a witness in a criminal case, the Delegate shall appoint an existing deputy Attorney General who is not similarly party to that case. The appointed deputy Attorney General may, at their discretion, manage the prosecution of the case.
12. Failing the existence of a deputy Attorney General who is able to manage the prosecution of a case, the Delegate may act as such a deputy Attorney General for the duration of the case. If the Delegate is a defendant, the defence attorney, or a witness in the case, then the Vice Delegate may act as such a deputy Attorney General for the duration of the case.
13. It is the duty of the Attorney General, and their deputies, to see to completion of any case the management of which they have undertaken.
14. If the original Attorney General, and their deputies, are unable to see to completion a pending case before the end of their term, the successor Attorney General will take over the managing of the prosecution.
15. If the Attorney General, and their deputies, decline to manage the prosecution of a requested criminal case, then the complainant may, at their discretion, manage themselves the prosecution of the criminal case. Otherwise, they may withdraw the complaint.
16. If the complainant has not stated their intent to either manage the prosecution of the case or withdraw the complaint within 30 days of the Attorney General and their deputies declining the case, the complaint will be considered withdrawn.
17. For the purposes of this section, "managing the prosecution of a case" includes but is not limited to: submitting an indictment to the Court for the relevant charges; arguing on the acceptance or rejection of the indictment; acting as the prosecutor for the duration of all stages of the criminal trial heard for the case; representing the prosecution in any separate judicial review hearings arising from the criminal trial; and appointing, directing, and removing an attorney to act in the above capacity in their place.

Section 7.3: Freedom of Information Act
18. The Delegate and appointed government officials will be delegated the task of informing the Assembly of any governmental action not already disclosed by the respective officers of the Executive.
19. All registered residents residing in The North Pacific may request information from the Government through the Delegate and the designated officers of the Executive.
20. The Delegate and the designated officers of the Executive will endeavour to retrieve information requested from the different departments of the government, who are obligated to release this information provided it will not and/or does not present a threat to regional security or unduly impinge on the privacy of private residents, and
21. Residents which do not receive this information for any reason not specifically designated in appropriate laws or regulations may file a request for the information in a regional court, where the Delegate and the designated officers of the Executive may present evidence that addresses any claim that release of the information impairs Regional security.
22. Information not disclosed because of issues pertaining to Regional security will be classified by the majority vote of the Court sitting as a three-member panel.
23. Information whose disclosure is deemed a security threat to the Region will be released by the affirmative vote of a majority of a three-member panel of the Court, no sooner than 2 months after the original request, once the threat no longer exists.

Section 7.4: Mandatory Ministries
24. 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 and will report on events in the region.
25. 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.
26. An Executive Officer may sustain multiple roles defined by this Act.
27. The Regional Assembly may elect an Executive Officer should one of the roles defined by this act remain vacant for seven days.

Section 7.5: World Assembly Voting
28. The Delegate may vote on all World Assembly (WA) resolutions as they see fit, using any method to determine their vote as they decide.

2. Chapter 9: The North Pacific Army Doctrine will become Chapter 8: The North Pacific Army Doctrine.

3. Chapter 7: Emergency Situations will become Chapter 9: Emergency Situations.

4. Chapter 8: Cultural Declarations will become Chapter 10: Cultural Declarations.
Thank you for your time. Your attention in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Respectfully submitted,
Zyvetskistaahn
What nonsensical jibber jabber! I shall sign it.

~
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Delegate of The North Pacific
 
Madam Delegate,

A Bill to Improve the Flag of The North Pacific has passed the Regional Assembly, and is presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it will become law on the 3rd of November, 2015. The text of the bill is as follows:

A Bill to Improve the Flag of The North Pacific:
1. Chapter 8 "Cultural Declarations", Section 8.1: "Arms, Flag, and Seal" of the Legal Code shall be amended to read, and appear as follows:

2. The following Coat of Arms, based on a design by ThelDran and updated by the Ministry of Culture of The North Pacific, is adopted as the Coat of Arms of The North Pacific:
2sb7g3m.png
3. The Arms are blazoned as: Barry wavy of four argent and azure, on a chief azure the North Star or and argent, the shield ensigned with a Mural Crown or.
4. Each institution in The North Pacific's government may establish for itself a seal which uses the arms of The North Pacific.
5. The Coat of Arms of The North Pacific may not be used except to represent The North Pacific or an official regional entity.
6. The following flag, as designed by ThelDRan and updated by the Ministry of Culture of The North Pacific is adopted as the official flag of The North Pacific:
2pqrok8.png
2. This change will be enacted on the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the current forum: November 28, 2015.

Thank you for your time. Your attention in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Respectfully submitted,
Zyvetskistaahn
 
A Bill to Improve the Flag of The North Pacific:
1. Chapter 8 "Cultural Declarations", Section 8.1: "Arms, Flag, and Seal" of the Legal Code shall be amended to read, and appear as follows:

2. The following Coat of Arms, based on a design by ThelDran and updated by the Ministry of Culture of The North Pacific, is adopted as the Coat of Arms of The North Pacific:
2sb7g3m.png
3. The Arms are blazoned as: Barry wavy of four argent and azure, on a chief azure the North Star or and argent, the shield ensigned with a Mural Crown or.
4. Each institution in The North Pacific's government may establish for itself a seal which uses the arms of The North Pacific.
5. The Coat of Arms of The North Pacific may not be used except to represent The North Pacific or an official regional entity.
6. The following flag, as designed by ThelDRan and updated by the Ministry of Culture of The North Pacific is adopted as the official flag of The North Pacific:
2pqrok8.png
2. This change will be enacted on the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the current forum: November 28, 2015.
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Delegate of The North Pacific
 
Madam Delegate,

The Legal Code Reformatting Bill has passed the Regional Assembly, and is presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it will become law on the 11th of November, 2015. The text of the bill is as follows:

Legal Code Reformatting Bill:
The Preamble of the North Pacific Legal Code shall be amended as follows:
In order to present a clearer and more comprehensible legal system, the Regional Assembly undertakes to keep the law of the North Pacific organized and clear. This Code will be divided into several Chapters, which may contain Sections. Clauses must be numbered consecutively within a Chapter beginning with the number 1. Clauses may have subclauses in the form of letters in the event that a list must be referenced in the clause. Clauses may be referenced by chapter, clause number, and if applicable sub-clause letter, but clause numbers and sub-clause letters will not be considered part of the law, nor will they have any legal effects. The Speaker will manage the numbering of clauses in accordance with the above requirements.
Section 5.4 of The North Pacific Legal Code shall be reformatted as follows:
Section 5.4: Endorsement Gathering
20. The Delegate may eject or ban for reckless endorsement gathering any nation in The North Pacific which meets all of the following criteria:
  • It is not in the Council or holding the office of Delegate or Vice Delegate.
  • It has been reported to the Delegate as a possible threat to regional security by the Council.
  • It has continued actively gathering endorsements after two warnings against gathering endorsements sent at least two days apart from each other.
  • It has more endorsements than 50 fewer than the Vice Delegate or 75 per cent of the Delegate's endorsement level, whichever is least.
21. The Delegate may eject or ban for reckless endorsement gathering any nation in The North Pacific which exceeds the Vice Delegate's endorsement count.
22. Nations banned for reckless endorsement gathering must remain banned at least until they update outside The North Pacific.
23. Non-incumbent candidates for Delegate or Vice Delegate may not obtain an endorsement level during the election cycle greater than the level authorized for members of the Security Council under this chapter.

Thank you for your time. Your attention in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Respectfully submitted,
Zyvetskistaahn
 
The Preamble of the North Pacific Legal Code shall be amended as follows:
In order to present a clearer and more comprehensible legal system, the Regional Assembly undertakes to keep the law of the North Pacific organized and clear. This Code will be divided into several Chapters, which may contain Sections. Clauses must be numbered consecutively within a Chapter beginning with the number 1. Clauses may have subclauses in the form of letters in the event that a list must be referenced in the clause. Clauses may be referenced by chapter, clause number, and if applicable sub-clause letter, but clause numbers and sub-clause letters will not be considered part of the law, nor will they have any legal effects. The Speaker will manage the numbering of clauses in accordance with the above requirements.
Section 5.4 of The North Pacific Legal Code shall be reformatted as follows:
Section 5.4: Endorsement Gathering
20. The Delegate may eject or ban for reckless endorsement gathering any nation in The North Pacific which meets all of the following criteria:
  • It is not in the Council or holding the office of Delegate or Vice Delegate.
  • It has been reported to the Delegate as a possible threat to regional security by the Council.
  • It has continued actively gathering endorsements after two warnings against gathering endorsements sent at least two days apart from each other.
  • It has more endorsements than 50 fewer than the Vice Delegate or 75 per cent of the Delegate's endorsement level, whichever is least.
21. The Delegate may eject or ban for reckless endorsement gathering any nation in The North Pacific which exceeds the Vice Delegate's endorsement count.
22. Nations banned for reckless endorsement gathering must remain banned at least until they update outside The North Pacific.
23. Non-incumbent candidates for Delegate or Vice Delegate may not obtain an endorsement level during the election cycle greater than the level authorized for members of the Security Council under this chapter.
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Delegate of The North Pacific
 
Madam Delegate,

The Security Council Requirements Update Bill has passed the Regional Assembly, and is presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it will become law on the 22nd of November, 2015. The text of the bill is as follows:

Security Council Requirements Update Bill:
Section 5.1 of the Codified Law of The North Pacific will be amended to the following:
Section 5.1: Council Requirements
4. The influence requirement for members of the Council consists of an influence score (Soft Power Disbursement Rating) within The North Pacific greater than or equal to 330, or an influence rank within The North Pacific greater than or equal to Apprentice, whichever is lower.
5. The minimum endorsement count for members of the Council is defined as 300 endorsements, or 50 per cent of the serving Delegate's endorsement count, whichever is lower.
6. The Vice Delegate must maintain an endorsement level of at least 75 per cent of the Delegates endorsement count.
7. Where the computation results in fractions, the count shall be rounded down.
8. The serving Delegate is exempt from endorsement requirements.

Thank you for your time. Your attention in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Respectfully submitted,
Zyvetskistaahn
 
Security Council Requirements Update Bill:
Section 5.1 of the Codified Law of The North Pacific will be amended to the following:
Section 5.1: Council Requirements
4. The influence requirement for members of the Council consists of an influence score (Soft Power Disbursement Rating) within The North Pacific greater than or equal to 330, or an influence rank within The North Pacific greater than or equal to Apprentice, whichever is lower.
5. The minimum endorsement count for members of the Council is defined as 300 endorsements, or 50 per cent of the serving Delegate's endorsement count, whichever is lower.
6. The Vice Delegate must maintain an endorsement level of at least 75 per cent of the Delegates endorsement count.
7. Where the computation results in fractions, the count shall be rounded down.
8. The serving Delegate is exempt from endorsement requirements.
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Delegate of The North Pacific
 
Mr Delegate,

The Campaigning Period Reintroduction Bill has passed the Regional Assembly, and is presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it will become law on the 2nd of February, 2016. The text of the bill is as follows:

Campaigning Period Reintroduction Bill:
Proposal: That the current wording in the Legal Code, viz:

Section 4.3: Overall Election Law
9. Citizens shall be provided five days to declare their candidacy.
10. Voting will begin immediately after the candidacy declaration period has closed and last for five days.

Shall be replaced with the following text:

Section 4.3: Overall Election Law
9. Citizens shall be provided three days to declare their candidacy. Following the closure of candidacy declaration, four days shall be allowed for campaigning, during which no further candidate declarations shall be allowed.

10. Voting will begin immediately after the campaigning period has closed and last for five days.

Thank you for your time. Your attention in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Respectfully submitted,
Zyvetskistaahn
 
Zyvetskistaahn:
Campaigning Period Reintroduction Bill:
Proposal: That the current wording in the Legal Code, viz:

Section 4.3: Overall Election Law
9. Citizens shall be provided five days to declare their candidacy.
10. Voting will begin immediately after the candidacy declaration period has closed and last for five days.

Shall be replaced with the following text:

Section 4.3: Overall Election Law
9. Citizens shall be provided three days to declare their candidacy. Following the closure of candidacy declaration, four days shall be allowed for campaigning, during which no further candidate declarations shall be allowed.

10. Voting will begin immediately after the campaigning period has closed and last for five days.

Thank you, Mister Speaker.

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Delegate of The North Pacific
 
Mr Delegate,

The Bill to Update the Regional Security Law to reflect Influence Scoring Change has passed the Regional Assembly, and is presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it will become law on the 21st of March, 2016. The text of the bill is as follows:

A Bill to Update the Regional Security Law to reflect Influence Scoring Change:
1. Clause 4 in Section 1 of Chapter 5, Regional Security Law, will be updated to the following:
5.1:
4. The influence requirement for members of the Council consists of an influence score (Soft Power Disbursement Rating) within The North Pacific greater than or equal to 109,500, or an influence rank within The North Pacific greater than or equal to Apprentice, whichever is lower.

Thank you for your time. Your attention in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Respectfully submitted,
quak1234
 
quak1234:
Mr Delegate,

The Bill to Update the Regional Security Law to reflect Influence Scoring Change has passed the Regional Assembly, and is presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it will become law on the 21st of March, 2016. The text of the bill is as follows:

A Bill to Update the Regional Security Law to reflect Influence Scoring Change:
1. Clause 4 in Section 1 of Chapter 5, Regional Security Law, will be updated to the following:
5.1:
4. The influence requirement for members of the Council consists of an influence score (Soft Power Disbursement Rating) within The North Pacific greater than or equal to 109,500, or an influence rank within The North Pacific greater than or equal to Apprentice, whichever is lower.

Thank you for your time. Your attention in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Respectfully submitted,
quak1234
Thank you, Mister Deputy Speaker.

aPo7ydn.png

Delegate of The North Pacific
 
Mr Delegate,

The Bill to guarantee the right to abstain has passed the Regional Assembly, and is presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it will become law on the 11th of June, 2016. The text of the bill is as follows:

A Bill to guarantee the right to abstain

1. Clause 3 of Chapter 4 of the Legal Code shall be amended to read as follows:
3. "Abstentions" are not votes for or against any candidate, and may not be used to determine the results of any election, nor the question on whether to reopen nominations. They may be used for quorum, activity, or other purposes.

2. This bill shall commence its operation immediately upon passage, notwithstanding that it shall not affect any elections already ongoing.

Thank you for your time. Your attention in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Respectfully submitted,
quak1234
 
quak1234:
Mr Delegate,

The Bill to guarantee the right to abstain has passed the Regional Assembly, and is presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it will become law on the 11th of June, 2016. The text of the bill is as follows:

A Bill to guarantee the right to abstain

1. Clause 3 of Chapter 4 of the Legal Code shall be amended to read as follows:
3. "Abstentions" are not votes for or against any candidate, and may not be used to determine the results of any election, nor the question on whether to reopen nominations. They may be used for quorum, activity, or other purposes.

2. This bill shall commence its operation immediately upon passage, notwithstanding that it shall not affect any elections already ongoing.

Thank you for your time. Your attention in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Respectfully submitted,
quak1234
Thank you, Mister Deputy Speaker.

I have some concerns about this bill.

Re-Open Nominations represents a major disruption in our electoral process, but there are times when it is necessary for nominations to be reopened in order to prevent something possibly catastrophic from occurring. However, at the moment, the possibilities of frivolous RON votes is counterbalanced by the current requirement that YES must receive a majority from all votes in the election - noticeable but not unobtainable (see the last General Election).

However, with this law... ABSTAIN now becomes an option for RON. Which presents a problem - most will automatically Abstain on that question. They will not decide for or against as long as they have the means to Abstain as most do not feel strongly enough one way or another. As a result, it means that we will see elections possibly restarting more frequently as once Abstain is discounted from the total number of votes cast, it means that YES to RON votes will easily outnumber the NAYs and re-opening nominations potentially becomes significantly easier.

The worst case scenario for this is that a small group could conspire to vote Yes each time - easily achieving their desires given most will have a broadly apathetic viewpoint (i.e. those who do not prefer to reopen nominations but have no strong feelings either way and thus abstain), and they will outnumber the few who strongly feel against reopening nominations.

That is my primary concern. Allowing the right to abstain when voting for legislation is appropriate - the Delegate can veto laws that are mostly abstained on, and the RA can amend (or repeal) a law if it was passed before flaws were discovered. Elections however, do not have those safeguards and we do not get a second chance in most cases - and I truly feel that there should not be an option to abstain when it comes to what could be a major disruption during our elections. I recognise the intent of the legislation and its author was to enhance our democracy, however, I fear that the potentially damaging consequences from this bill in the hands of a small group could be disastrous, and I think most, if not all of us are glad to have our scheduled elections conclude as fast as possible.

As such, I hereby VETO this piece of legislation.

aPo7ydn.png
 
Mr Delegate,

The Executive Reform Bill has passed the Regional Assembly, and is presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it will become law on the 8th of August, 2016. The text of the bill is as follows:

Executive Reform Bill:
1. Chapter 7 of the Codified Law of The North Pacific will be amended to read as follows:
Chapter 7: Executive Government

1. Any Law regulating the executive government officials of The North Pacific may be listed in this chapter.

Section 7.1: Definitions
2. Executive Officers are government officials appointed by the Delegate to assist in the execution of their duties.
3. The Serving Delegate is the person holding the constitutionally-mandated elected office of the Delegate or, in the case of a vacancy in that office, the person that has assumed the duties of that office.
4. The WA Delegate is the nation holding the WA Delegacy of the region The North Pacific.

Section 7.2: Regional Officers
5. Regional Officers may only be appointed and granted powers as explicitly allowed under this section.
6. The Serving Delegate may assign any Regional Power, with the exception of Border Control, to any Executive Officer.
7. The Serving Delegate may assign Border Control powers to any of the three members of the Security Council earliest in the Order of Succession.
8. In the event of a Delegate Emergency or with the permission of a majority vote of the Regional Assembly, the Delegate may assign Border Control powers to any members of the Security Council.
9. The WA Delegate will promptly grant all Regional Powers to the Serving Delegate and assigned powers to the respective Executive Officers or Security Council members.

Section 7.3: Onsite Authority
10. Violators of NationStates rules may be subject to summary ejection or banning.
11. Nations recruiting for other regions may be subject to summary ejection or banning.
12. Nations for which the Court has issued an indictment permitting it may be ejected or banned.
13. Nations that have been so sentenced by the Court will be ejected or banned.
14. The official performing an ejection or ban will promptly inform the region and Government.
15. The Serving Delegate may regulate the Regional Message Board as they see fit.
16. Such regulations may not prohibit speech which is in the context of TNP politics.
17. All actions of the WA Delegate, the Serving Delegate, or of their appointed Regional Officers related to this section will be subject to judicial review.

Section 7.4: The Attorney General
18. Any deputy appointed by the Attorney General may not serve concurrently as either a Justice or a Temporary Hearing Officer.
19. The Attorney General will have standing in all cases of judicial review brought before the Court.
20. Any person ("the complainant") may submit a criminal complaint to the office of the Attorney General, requesting that a criminal case be brought before the Court.
21. The Attorney General may, at their discretion, manage the prosecution of any criminal case requested.
22. Any relevant person who is a defendant, the defense attorney, or a witness in a criminal case will be unavailable to manage the prosecution of the case.
23. In the event that the Attorney General is unavailable, the Serving Delegate will appoint an existing and available deputy Attorney General. The appointed deputy Attorney General may, at their discretion, manage the prosecution of the case.
24. Failing the existence of an available deputy Attorney General, the first available person from the following list may act as such a deputy Attorney General for the duration of the case:
  • The Serving Delegate
  • The Serving Vice Delegate
  • Any resident (consensually) chosen by the complainant.
25. It is the duty of the Attorney General, and their deputies, to see to completion any case the management of which they have undertaken.
26. If the original Attorney General, and their deputies, are unable to see to completion a pending case after the end of their term, the successor Attorney General will take over the managing of the prosecution.
27. If the Attorney General, and their deputies, decline to manage the prosecution of a requested criminal case, then the complainant may, at their discretion, manage themselves the prosecution of the criminal case. Otherwise, they may withdraw the complaint.
28. If the complainant has not stated their intent to either manage the prosecution of the case or withdraw the complaint within 30 days of the Attorney General and their deputies declining the case, the complaint will be considered withdrawn.
29. For the purposes of this section, "managing the prosecution of a case" includes but is not limited to:
  • submitting an indictment to the Court for the relevant charges;
  • arguing on the acceptance or rejection of the indictment;
  • acting as the prosecutor for the duration of all stages of the criminal trial heard for the case;
  • representing the prosecution in any separate judicial review hearings arising from the criminal trial;
  • and appointing, directing, and removing an attorney to act in the above capacity in their place.

Section 7.5: Freedom of Information Act
30. For the purposes of this section "the government" refers to the Delegate and the Executive Officers, including the departments which they oversee.
31. For the purposes of this section, classified information is that which fits any of the below definitions:
  • Real life information about any NationStates player from which there is a risk of inferring that player's real life identity and which has not willingly been disclosed to the public, including, but not limited to, an individual's name, IP address, physical address or location, phone number, place of employment or education, appearance, social media accounts, and other knowledge about a player, unless the player in question provides explicit consent for this information not to be considered private.
  • Real life information about any NationStates player for which there exists a reasonable real life expectation of privacy or discretion, including, but not limited to, health status, both mental and physical; financial status; personal tragedies; changes in personal status such as marriage, divorce, pregnancy, birth, or death; and other similar information, unless the player in question provides explicit consent for this information not to be considered private.
  • Information that, upon being made public, would jeopardize any ongoing military or intelligence operations; or jeopardize the security of units and agents participating in them, or be harmful to the diplomatic interests, military interests, or security of The North Pacific.
32. Notwithstanding any process for publication, any information which meets the criteria to be classified will not be released.
33. Private government records which reach one year of age will be relocated to the appropriate Declassified Archive visible to residents.
34. At any time a resident may request the release of any private record from the Government through the Delegate and the designated officers of the Executive.
35. The Delegate and the designated officers of the Executive will retrieve information requested from the different departments of the government.
36. Residents who do not receive this information for any reason not specifically designated in appropriate laws or regulations may file a request for the information to the court, where the Delegate and the designated officers of the Executive may present evidence that addresses any claim that release of the information meets one or more of the acceptable acceptable criteria for classification.
37. Information appropriately not disclosed will be accepted as classified by a majority vote of the Court sitting as a three-member panel.

Section 7.6: Mandatory Ministries
38. 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 and will report on events in the region.
39. 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.
40. There will be at least one Executive Officer charged with focusing primarily on matters of internal interest to The North Pacific.

Thank you for your time. Your attention in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Respectfully submitted,
Zyvetskistaahn
 
Zyvetskistaahn:
Mr Delegate,

The Executive Reform Bill has passed the Regional Assembly, and is presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it will become law on the 8th of August, 2016. The text of the bill is as follows:

Executive Reform Bill:
1. Chapter 7 of the Codified Law of The North Pacific will be amended to read as follows:
Chapter 7: Executive Government

1. Any Law regulating the executive government officials of The North Pacific may be listed in this chapter.

Section 7.1: Definitions
2. Executive Officers are government officials appointed by the Delegate to assist in the execution of their duties.
3. The Serving Delegate is the person holding the constitutionally-mandated elected office of the Delegate or, in the case of a vacancy in that office, the person that has assumed the duties of that office.
4. The WA Delegate is the nation holding the WA Delegacy of the region The North Pacific.

Section 7.2: Regional Officers
5. Regional Officers may only be appointed and granted powers as explicitly allowed under this section.
6. The Serving Delegate may assign any Regional Power, with the exception of Border Control, to any Executive Officer.
7. The Serving Delegate may assign Border Control powers to any of the three members of the Security Council earliest in the Order of Succession.
8. In the event of a Delegate Emergency or with the permission of a majority vote of the Regional Assembly, the Delegate may assign Border Control powers to any members of the Security Council.
9. The WA Delegate will promptly grant all Regional Powers to the Serving Delegate and assigned powers to the respective Executive Officers or Security Council members.

Section 7.3: Onsite Authority
10. Violators of NationStates rules may be subject to summary ejection or banning.
11. Nations recruiting for other regions may be subject to summary ejection or banning.
12. Nations for which the Court has issued an indictment permitting it may be ejected or banned.
13. Nations that have been so sentenced by the Court will be ejected or banned.
14. The official performing an ejection or ban will promptly inform the region and Government.
15. The Serving Delegate may regulate the Regional Message Board as they see fit.
16. Such regulations may not prohibit speech which is in the context of TNP politics.
17. All actions of the WA Delegate, the Serving Delegate, or of their appointed Regional Officers related to this section will be subject to judicial review.

Section 7.4: The Attorney General
18. Any deputy appointed by the Attorney General may not serve concurrently as either a Justice or a Temporary Hearing Officer.
19. The Attorney General will have standing in all cases of judicial review brought before the Court.
20. Any person ("the complainant") may submit a criminal complaint to the office of the Attorney General, requesting that a criminal case be brought before the Court.
21. The Attorney General may, at their discretion, manage the prosecution of any criminal case requested.
22. Any relevant person who is a defendant, the defense attorney, or a witness in a criminal case will be unavailable to manage the prosecution of the case.
23. In the event that the Attorney General is unavailable, the Serving Delegate will appoint an existing and available deputy Attorney General. The appointed deputy Attorney General may, at their discretion, manage the prosecution of the case.
24. Failing the existence of an available deputy Attorney General, the first available person from the following list may act as such a deputy Attorney General for the duration of the case:
  • The Serving Delegate
  • The Serving Vice Delegate
  • Any resident (consensually) chosen by the complainant.
25. It is the duty of the Attorney General, and their deputies, to see to completion any case the management of which they have undertaken.
26. If the original Attorney General, and their deputies, are unable to see to completion a pending case after the end of their term, the successor Attorney General will take over the managing of the prosecution.
27. If the Attorney General, and their deputies, decline to manage the prosecution of a requested criminal case, then the complainant may, at their discretion, manage themselves the prosecution of the criminal case. Otherwise, they may withdraw the complaint.
28. If the complainant has not stated their intent to either manage the prosecution of the case or withdraw the complaint within 30 days of the Attorney General and their deputies declining the case, the complaint will be considered withdrawn.
29. For the purposes of this section, "managing the prosecution of a case" includes but is not limited to:
  • submitting an indictment to the Court for the relevant charges;
  • arguing on the acceptance or rejection of the indictment;
  • acting as the prosecutor for the duration of all stages of the criminal trial heard for the case;
  • representing the prosecution in any separate judicial review hearings arising from the criminal trial;
  • and appointing, directing, and removing an attorney to act in the above capacity in their place.

Section 7.5: Freedom of Information Act
30. For the purposes of this section "the government" refers to the Delegate and the Executive Officers, including the departments which they oversee.
31. For the purposes of this section, classified information is that which fits any of the below definitions:
  • Real life information about any NationStates player from which there is a risk of inferring that player's real life identity and which has not willingly been disclosed to the public, including, but not limited to, an individual's name, IP address, physical address or location, phone number, place of employment or education, appearance, social media accounts, and other knowledge about a player, unless the player in question provides explicit consent for this information not to be considered private.
  • Real life information about any NationStates player for which there exists a reasonable real life expectation of privacy or discretion, including, but not limited to, health status, both mental and physical; financial status; personal tragedies; changes in personal status such as marriage, divorce, pregnancy, birth, or death; and other similar information, unless the player in question provides explicit consent for this information not to be considered private.
  • Information that, upon being made public, would jeopardize any ongoing military or intelligence operations; or jeopardize the security of units and agents participating in them, or be harmful to the diplomatic interests, military interests, or security of The North Pacific.
32. Notwithstanding any process for publication, any information which meets the criteria to be classified will not be released.
33. Private government records which reach one year of age will be relocated to the appropriate Declassified Archive visible to residents.
34. At any time a resident may request the release of any private record from the Government through the Delegate and the designated officers of the Executive.
35. The Delegate and the designated officers of the Executive will retrieve information requested from the different departments of the government.
36. Residents who do not receive this information for any reason not specifically designated in appropriate laws or regulations may file a request for the information to the court, where the Delegate and the designated officers of the Executive may present evidence that addresses any claim that release of the information meets one or more of the acceptable acceptable criteria for classification.
37. Information appropriately not disclosed will be accepted as classified by a majority vote of the Court sitting as a three-member panel.

Section 7.6: Mandatory Ministries
38. 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 and will report on events in the region.
39. 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.
40. There will be at least one Executive Officer charged with focusing primarily on matters of internal interest to The North Pacific.

Thank you for your time. Your attention in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Respectfully submitted,
Zyvetskistaahn
Thank you, Mister Speaker.

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Delegate of The North Pacific
 
Mr Delegate,

The Security Assessments Bill has passed the Regional Assembly, and is presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it will become law on the 1st of October, 2016. The text of the bill is as follows:

Security Assessments Bill:
1. Clause 5 of Section 6 of the Legal Code shall be amended to read as follows.
5. Forum administration will have 14 days to evaluate the citizenship applicant and verify that they are not using a proxy or evading a judicially-imposed penalty. The Vice Delegate will have 3 days to perform a security evaluation and pass or fail the applicant. The Vice Delegate must consult the Security Council if there is reasonable concern as to whether an applicant should be admitted.
2. Clause 7 of Section 6 of the Legal Code shall be amended to read as follows.
7. If an applicant is rejected for failing an evaluation by the Vice Delegate, the Regional Assembly shall immediately debate the rejection and will hold a majority vote on whether to uphold it. The vote must begin two days after the rejection occurs.

Thank you for your time. Your attention in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Respectfully submitted,
Zyvetskistaahn
 
Zyvetskistaahn:
Mr Delegate,

The Security Assessments Bill has passed the Regional Assembly, and is presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it will become law on the 1st of October, 2016. The text of the bill is as follows:

Security Assessments Bill:
1. Clause 5 of Section 6 of the Legal Code shall be amended to read as follows.
5. Forum administration will have 14 days to evaluate the citizenship applicant and verify that they are not using a proxy or evading a judicially-imposed penalty. The Vice Delegate will have 3 days to perform a security evaluation and pass or fail the applicant. The Vice Delegate must consult the Security Council if there is reasonable concern as to whether an applicant should be admitted.
2. Clause 7 of Section 6 of the Legal Code shall be amended to read as follows.
7. If an applicant is rejected for failing an evaluation by the Vice Delegate, the Regional Assembly shall immediately debate the rejection and will hold a majority vote on whether to uphold it. The vote must begin two days after the rejection occurs.

Thank you for your time. Your attention in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Respectfully submitted,
Zyvetskistaahn
Approved
Px2k9gi.png

Plembobria, Delegate of the North Pacific
 
Mr Delegate,

A Bill to amend Section 5.5 of the Legal Code has passed the Regional Assembly, and is presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it will become law on the 29th of October, 2016. The text of the bill is as follows:

A Bill to amend Section 5.5 of the Legal Code:
1. Section 5.5 of the Codified Law of The North Pacific is amended to read as follows:
Section 5.5: Sanity
24. The Regional Security Law is to be applied in a reasonable manner.

Thank you for your time. Your attention in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Respectfully submitted,
Zyvetskistaahn
 
Zyvetskistaahn:
Mr Delegate,

A Bill to amend Section 5.5 of the Legal Code has passed the Regional Assembly, and is presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it will become law on the 29th of October, 2016. The text of the bill is as follows:

A Bill to amend Section 5.5 of the Legal Code:
1. Section 5.5 of the Codified Law of The North Pacific is amended to read as follows:
Section 5.5: Sanity
24. The Regional Security Law is to be applied in a reasonable manner.

Thank you for your time. Your attention in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Respectfully submitted,
Zyvetskistaahn
Approved

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Plembobria, Delegate of The North Pacific
 
Mr Delegate,

The Evidence Redaction Bill has passed the Regional Assembly, and is presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it will become law on the 12th of January, 2017. The text of the bill is as follows:

Evidence Redaction Bill:
Section 7.4 of the Legal Code will be amended to add the following clause:
23. No person shall be involved in any decision to withhold or redact evidence relevant to any case of which they are the defendant, a defense attorney, or managing the prosecution.

Thank you for your time. Your attention in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Respectfully submitted,
Zyvetskistaahn
 
Zyvetskistaahn:
Mr Delegate,

The Evidence Redaction Bill has passed the Regional Assembly, and is presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it will become law on the 12th of January, 2017. The text of the bill is as follows:

Evidence Redaction Bill:
Section 7.4 of the Legal Code will be amended to add the following clause:
23. No person shall be involved in any decision to withhold or redact evidence relevant to any case of which they are the defendant, a defense attorney, or managing the prosecution.

Thank you for your time. Your attention in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Respectfully submitted,
Zyvetskistaahn
I hereby veto this bill.

This bill is dangerously broad and vague. For instance, FOIA tasks the delegate with declassifying information upon a FOI request, but this bill would prohibit the delegate from declassifying information if they are involved in the defense or prosecution of a case relevant to that information, even though it's the delegate's right to declassify any information they want, provided it doesn't include any real life personal information about players.

Another example is the SC. The SC decides everything by discussion and vote, and prohibiting an SC member from being "involved in" the discussion could easily be construed as blocking that SC member from commenting at all, if they are somehow involved in a relevant court case.
 
Mr. Delegate,

The Security Council Reform Bill has passed the Regional Assembly, and is presented for your signature or veto. Without comment from your office, it will become law on the 21th of May, 2017. The text of the bill is as follows:

Security Council Reform Bill:
Chapter 5 of the Legal Code shall be amended as follows:
Chapter 5: Regional Security Law

1. Any laws regulating the Security Council or its activities must be listed in this chapter.
2. In this chapter, "Council" means the Security Council.
3. In this chapter, the serving Delegate means the person holding the constitutionally-mandated elected office of Delegate or, in the case of a vacancy in that office, the person who has assumed the duties of that office.

Section 5.1: Requirements and Admission
4. Any person with an account on the regional forum and a nation in The North Pacific may apply to join the Council, as long as their nation satisfies any influence and endorsement requirements for membership. Any applicant who does not meet the appropriate requirements, or who ceases to meet them, is automatically rejected.
5. Security Councilors must meet the same influence and endorsement requirements as applicants to the Council, and may be suspended or removed if they fail to do so.
6. The influence requirement is a Soft Power Disbursement Rating within The North Pacific greater than or equal to 182,500, or an influence rank within The North Pacific greater than or equal to Apprentice, whichever is lower. The endorsement requirement is at least 500, or 50 percent of the serving Delegate's endorsement count, whichever is lower.
7. By a two-thirds majority vote, the Security Council may exempt nations who have expended their influence in service to the region from any influence requirements to join the Council or to remain a member. Exemptions granted in such a manner remain valid until the exempted nation regains the required influence level.

Section 5.2: The Delegate and Vice Delegate
8. The serving Delegate is responsible for maintaining an endorsement count that exceeds that of any other nation in The North Pacific.
9. The Vice Delegate is responsible for maintaining a minimum endorsement count at least that of the WA Delegate's endorsement count, minus one-fifth of the total number of WA nations in the region.
10. If the Delegate or Vice Delegate is below this level, they must promptly act to gather sufficient endorsements to meet or exceed the requirement.
11. If the Delegate or Vice Delegate nation ceases to exist, voluntarily departs The North Pacific, or resigns from the World Assembly, their office will be considered vacant.
12. If the Vice Delegate is temporarily unavailable, the Council may task one of its members with performing the duties required under this chapter. The Council may hold a confirmation vote, but is not required to do so.
13. During any period when serving as acting Delegate, the Vice Delegate will be considered absent from the office of Vice Delegate.

Section 5.3: Suspension and Removal
14. Whenever any Council member fails to meet the influence or endorsement count requirements to maintain their position without being granted an exemption, the Vice Delegate must promptly warn them. If the Council member does not come into compliance within eight days of the warning, the Vice Delegate must suspend them.
15. The Vice Delegate must promptly remove members of the Council whose member nations no longer exist, voluntarily depart The North Pacific, or resign from the World Assembly outside the needs of a NPA sanctioned mission.
16. The Vice Delegate must report any suspension or removal of a member of the Council to the Regional Assembly.
17. If a suspended member of the Council comes back into compliance with the endorsement and influence requirements, the Vice Delegate must promptly reinstate them.
18. If a Councilor's continued membership in the Council poses a security risk to The North Pacific, the Council may, by majority vote, request that the Regional Assembly vote on removing that Council member.
19. The Speaker's Office must submit any such request from the Council to an immediate two-thirds majority vote of the Regional Assembly.

Section 5.4: Reckless Endorsement Gathering
20. The serving Delegate may eject or ban any nation in The North Pacific for reckless endorsement gathering that meets all of the following criteria:
  • It is not in the Council or holding the office of Delegate or Vice Delegate.
  • It has been reported to the Delegate as a possible threat to regional security by the Council.
  • It has continued actively gathering endorsements after two warnings against gathering endorsements sent at least two days apart from each other.
  • It has more endorsements than 50 fewer than the Vice Delegate's required minimum endorsement count, or 75 per cent of the Delegate's endorsement level, whichever is least.
21. The serving Delegate may eject or ban any nation in The North Pacific for reckless endorsement gathering that exceeds the Vice Delegate's required minimum endorsement count.
22. Nations banned for reckless endorsement gathering must remain banned at least until they update outside The North Pacific.
23. Unless a delegacy emergency is in effect, any Council member who exceeds the Vice Delegate's endorsement count while the Vice Delegate is above the required minimum for their position must stop seeking endorsements until they have fewer than the Vice Delegate.

Thank you for your time. Your attention in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Respectfully submitted,
Bootsie
 
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