Imperial Legislative Procedure [Parliament]

[IEC 229]

[!] An educational handbook is published by the I.E.C, and distributed to all future members of Parliament.

 

 

 

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE GUIDE

✠

 

1687

Brought to you by the Imperial Election Commission

       The Imperial Parliament, otherwise known as it’s formal title, The Great Council of the Imperial Crown of the Exalted Godfrey, may have a foreign legislative procedure to some Parliamentary newcomers. To ensure that all participants of this house function to it’s fullest necessity, the Imperial Election Commission has published this missive in order to outline the day to day procedures in Parliament.

 

 

Chapter I

1. Composition of Parliament
2. Powers of Parliament

Chapter II

1. Parliamentary Etiquette
2. Political Alignment

Chapter III

1. Proposition & Scheduling
2. Debate
3. Voting
4. Ratification
5. Judicial Review Process

 

Chapter One: The Basics

Composition of Parliament

       The Imperial Parliament is composed of roughly four different voting bodies; The Lords Temporal, which makes up the bulk of the body, the Lords Spiritual, the Privy Council, and the elected Prefects. In addition, the Parliament also contains two non-voting members and His Imperial Majesty. The Imperial Parliament is odd in this early stage, as there is no set number of sitting members.

 

 

       The Emperor is the utmost, autocratic force in Parliament. Although His Imperial Majesty technically doesn’t vote during hearings, he has the ability to “sit-in” at any time he so desires. It is his primary duty to utilize the opinions of the Members of Parliament, in order to make informed decisions whilst governing.

       The Lords Temporal include land-governing nobility, such as margraves, dukes, counts, barons, and kings. These Lords are appointed by His Imperial Majesty, under the advisement of the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal, once every five years, before the new term begins. Often times, the Emperor shall select noble members who will represent the Empire well, and be active participants in the Parliament.

       The Lords Spiritual includes land-governing members of the clergy, such as Prince-Bishops or Prince-Archbishops. They undergo the same process as the Lords Temporal, but often lack in the same proportionate amount in comparison to their larger counterparts.

       The Prefects are elected individuals, chosen by the common folk of the Empire once every five years. They retain equal voting powers to the rest of the body, but are unable to reserve their seat based on hereditary ties, but rather by pleasing their constituents and getting re-elected after five years. Similarly to their other counterparts, the number of Prefects serving in Parliament could fluctuate, depending on the future number of determined Prefecture districts in the Empire.

       The Privy Council includes every member of the Imperial administration, appointed directly by His Imperial Majesty. This includes the Arch-Chancellor, Arch-Seneschal, Grand Knight, Chamberlain, Grand Marshal, Chief Justicar, and the Imperial Engineer. 

       The Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal, also a member of the Privy Council, acts as his own individual body during Parliamentary sessions, acting as the Speaker of Parliament. He organizes debates, determines who is allotted to speak before the floor of the Parliament, and keeps the process moving along. He is also appointed directly by His Imperial Majesty.

       The Deputy Officer, or Deputy Speaker, is appointed by the Lord Privy Seal. They act as a proxy on behalf of the Speaker of Parliament. When the Speaker is absent, but a session of Parliament must be hosted, the Deputy may act in place of the Speaker and host the Parliamentary session. When the Speaker is present, his job is then to keep order in the chamber, and assist the Lord Privy Seal in keeping the day on schedule. The Deputy Speaker is a non-voting member.

       The Election Commissioner is appointed directly by His Imperial Majesty. It is his duty to organize elections for Prefect seats. He also acts as the default scribe for the chamber, filing and delivering legislative paperwork. He is the chief bureaucrat. He is a non-voting member.

 

Powers of Parliament

       The Imperial Parliament, in accordance to Article III, Section II, Subsection II, the powers of the legislature are as follows;

• To propose legislation
• To present a non-binding writ or proclamation
• To review executive actions
• To revive previously failed propositions
• To review and investigate the actions of government agents
• To attainder individuals
• To establish caucuses and committees alongside fellow members of Parliament, to unify members with similar objectives
• To vote on proposed measures

 

       All voting members of Parliament share these powers. The additional power of Parliament Speaker is delegated to the Lord Privy Seal. Another additional power, delegated to all members of the Privy Council, is to schedule future meetings under the consultancy of the Lord Privy Seal. Members of the Privy Council may also be referenced when inquiring about specific policies being debated, acting as an invaluable resource analyzing the insight into different Imperial departments.

 

Chapter Two: Formalities

Parliamentary Etiquette

       The Imperial Parliament holds a very loose standard of etiquette for those serving. All male members are expected to wear a standard waistcoat or suit in some variation of bland colors, such as black, brown, grey, or a dark blue. Hats are not permitted. Female members should wear formal gowns accompanied by a bodice, consisting of similarly bland colored attire, such as black, brown, grey, or a dark blue. Armor is strictly forbidden, except by His Imperial Majesty, the Grand Knight, and the Grand Marshal. Members of the Lords Spiritual are exempt from the aforementioned attire, instead being requested to wear their religious garbs.

 

 

       Members of Parliament should always refer to their colleagues as either “The Honorable Gentleman/woman,” or refer to other members by their noble titles. Alternatively, one may also address one as “Mister, Miss,” or “Missus.” Addressing one by their first name is generally not allowed.

 

Political Alignment

       Multiple political parties exist within the Imperial political scene. Members of Parliament are not obligated to join any political party, and may choose to remain independent candidates. However, if they so wish, they may contact the Election Commissioner and inform them of their party affiliation at any time. It is most common for elected Prefects to align themselves with a political party, and is far more uncommon for noblemen to register with a party. However, nothing is preventing any members from registering with a party or declaring independence, if they so wish.

 

Chapter Three: Daily Legislative Procedure

For the precise legal text and elaborated procedure, please refer to Article IV of the Statute of Carolustadt

Proposition and Scheduling

       Traditionally, the Imperial Parliament will begin by reciting an opening prayer, delivered by a voting member of Parliament at the Lord Privy Seal’s discretion, or the Lord Privy Seal himself. Immediately following the prayer, the Lord Privy Seal shall then deliver a brief press statement, announcing notable actions of the Emperor since the last time they had congregated. He will then ask for members of Parliament to present their proposals. Proposals are requests to debate and vote on a piece of legislation, or a motion to call for a Parliamentary judicial review of a government action or agent. They shall submit their propositions publicly by declaring, “I, [name and title], propose the [title of legislation],” and then seating themselves once again. Proposals are not required to be physically written at the time of their proposition, but must be drafted by the time of it’s debate. After the submission of the proposal, the Lord Privy Seal shall then allot a sufficient amount of time to debate the bill before voting, either in the current session, or in the next. He shall then also select a date, no less than a Saint’s Day after it’s proposition, to vote on said legislation. Voting and debating may occur on the same day, but voting and propositions may not, unless the proposed legislation falls within one or more of the following categories;

• Legislation commissioning works of public art
• Legislation proposing the renaming of public roads, bridges, or other public works
• Legally non-binding writs or proclamations
• Any legislation is exempt from the “minimum time” rule, should an eight-tenths quorum be in attendance
• Judicial review sessions may be proposed and voted on in the same session

The above exceptions to the minimum time rule are not exempt from debate.

 

Debate

       After the Lord Privy Seal announces the public schedule for voting, the Parliament may then assemble for debate, either in that current session or in the next congregation. He shall begin the debating session by stating, “We shall now open debate for the [title of bill], sponsored by [name of sponsor].” He shall then allow the sponsor of said legislation to deliver an opening statement, then calling on those who wish to speak to deliver dissenting or concurring statements. Debate may occur for any amount of time, at the discretion of the Lord Privy Seal, so long as proper debate is allotted. The sponsor of the bill may request more time to debate before voting, if they so wish. The Deputy Speaker must also ensure debate occurs smoothly, and that no single legislation utilizes a wasteful amount of debate time.

 

Voting

       Following the debate session, the bill may then either be immediately voted on, or, if the sponsor so wishes, may be deferred to the next session of Parliament. Come time to vote, the Lord Privy Seal shall state, “We will now vote on the proposed legislation. All those in favor of the [title of bill], say ‘Aye’,” followed by all those in favor of the proposed measure stating “Aye.” He shall then proceed by stating, “All those opposed, say ‘Nay’,” followed by all those in opposition of the proposed measure stating “Nay.” Any individuals who remain silent shall be considered as abstained votes. He shall then tally the votes, either declaring that the bill has passed or failed, then moving along to the next item on the itinerary.

 

Ratification

       All passed legislation shall then be delivered to the Emperor’s throne. He will review such, and may either sign the bill into law, in which it shall become effective immediately, lest the bill states otherwise. Alternatively, he may reject it, sending it back to the Parliament. If he should choose to reject legislation, he must draft a statement justifying his dissent. If the sponsor so wishes, they may revive the legislation, making any necessary alterations. If the Emperor neither signs nor rejects legislation after a Saint’s week, the bill shall then automatically become law.

 

Judicial Review Process

       When reviewing the legality of a government program, action, or individual, the Parliament may summon individuals and inquire about the item in question. To initiate a judicial review, three-tenths of the Parliament must agree with initiating the process. Proposition, debate, and voting may all occur in the same session. The Lord Privy Seal shall then schedule a time to summon the individual in question before the Parliament, allowing members of Parliament to interrogate the individual in question.

 

 

This guide serves only as a basic handbook for members of Parliament, scratching only the tip of the iceberg. There is far more to learn about the legislative process, but we do hope that this was a sufficient basis to assist you in your endeavors in the Imperial legislature.

 

[osumanduas 1442]

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