Legislation

Semester 1:  Sep – Dec ’08

The First Legislative Session – November 2008

The following is a record of the first piece of legislation put forth by the government of Terra to be voted on by the parliament of Terra. After the first election, The government of Terra mostly consisted of members of the Glory Through Unity party which won in a landslide victory and was able to form a coalition government while maintaining strong numbers in both the ministries and parliament of Terra. The results of the first parliamentary vote are as follows:

To: Citizens of Terra

I am writing to let you know the results of the first session of the Terra legislature.  Five bills were introduced in that session, and you may read them in the following document.  Of the five proposed bills, three have passed the legislature.  8 of 15 votes were required to pass a bill.

Below is a summary of voting outcomes for each bill:

001–8 votes PASS
002–6 votes FAIL
003–8 votes PASS
004–7 votes FAIL
005–10 votes PASS

T.B. 001 MINISTRY ORGANIZATION (Passed)
WHEREAS: The current ministries are not accurately named as to elucidate the Glory of the State of Terra.
BE IT RESOLVED: The Ministry of Information will be renamed The Ministry of Truth.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be renamed The Ministry of Destiny.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The Ministry of Finance will be renamed The Ministry of Equality.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The Ministry of Avatar Services will be renamed The Ministry of Cultural Guidance.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The Ministry of Entertainment will be renamed The Ministry of Glorious Celebration.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The Ministry of Interior will be renamed The Ministry of Order.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The Ministry of Development will be renamed The Ministry of Progress.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: Minister Dmitry Khoronji will be appropriated the title “The Fury of Minsk.”

T.B. 002 TAXATION (Failed)
WHEREAS: Glory isn’t free, it takes sacrifice
BE IT RESOLVED: The government of Terra will draft the following taxes and Duties
•    A retroactive building fee of 10 linden
•    A new building tax of 50 linden per structure, and 13 linden per side of angular structures (ie squares, not circular structures) All structures should be non-angular, as angularity is not associated with the never ending glory of the PROFESSOR
•    Non-cabinet membership in parliament requires a 20 linden duty as to fulfill the operating budget of legislation
•    Legislative proposals will be assessed a fee of 10 linden.
•    A minimum tax of 70 Linden per electoral period.
•    Taxation can be changed without notice as to fulfill the requirements of Glory.
•    Backtaxes are assigned a fee of 5%.

T.B. 003 REGISTRATION (Passed)
WHEREAS: The citizens of Terra should unite under the mantle of the PROFESSOR,
AND WHEREAS: The citizens need to be acknowledged by the State as to provide resources equally and for efficient dissemination of pertinent state information.
AND WHEREAS: The current institution of Avatars and Second Life does not provide adequate means for citizen registration.

BE IT RESOLVED: All citizens of Terra will register with the ministry of Truth with the following: Avatar Name, Party Membership, Real Name and pertinent taxation information as outlined by the revised tax code.

T.B. 004 OFFICIAL TRUTH  (Failed)

WHEREAS: To achieve necessary mores and convictions within the citizenry of Terra, an official truth must be disseminated with the final aim of perfect unified glory.
BE IT RESOLVED: All citizens must internally register and act properly upon the following:
•    Before the imperfect Terra and its humble citizenry was the PROFESSOR.
•    The PROFESSOR perfected Terra through his guidance in the formation of a perfect constitution.
•    Glory is only reached from uniting under the PROFESSOR’S Mantle and through the doors to his guidance, the GTU Party.

T.B. 005 MASS GAMES (Passed)

A Bill to Establish Annual Mass Games in Honor of The Professor

To be enacted by the First Congress of Terra

Section 1: Mass Games in honor of The Professor will take place annually on the date of our dear leader’s date of birth.
Section 2: Mass Games are an organized event demonstrating the power and perfection of the Terra State. The honor of participation will be based on a highly selective process of evaluation. Attendance is mandatory.
Section 3: The Establishment of Mass Games will be overseen by the Ministry of Entertainment. Any comrade selected for participation is expected to contribute and must perform at the standard expected of a citizen of Terra. Failure to uphold these requirements will be punishable by mass ridicule or imprisonment in ‘the sphere’ (to be determined on a case by case basis). Additionally, comrades who are not selected as performers are expected to attend as observers.
Failure to do reflects a failure to appreciate The Professor. The appropriate punishment is imprisonment for first offenders, and banishment if the offense is repeated.
Section 4: This bill, establishing annual mass games in support of The Professor will be enacted on January 1st.

Interim Legislation T.B. 006-8

These bills were put before Terran parliament independently after the first legislative session while the first government of Terra was still in office.


T.B. 006 TERRA ZONING
– Failed

WHEREAS: The present state of disorder and clutter of Terra

a.     Looks bad

b.     Impedes adequate visibility of citizens both flying and walking

c.     Does not represent The Unity

d.     Diminishes The Glory

BE IT RESOLVED: No citizen shall create structures of any sort to be left on the landscape without applying for a permit first at the Ministry of Progress.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: Applications at the Ministry of Progress are free, but permits will be distributed at the discretion of the Ministry.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The Ministry of Progress will present a detailed zoning plan establishing parameters for appropriate and inappropriate building practices.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: Any unauthorized construction will result in a fine of 50 linden from the owner.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: All current structures the Ministry deems excessive will be returned to their owners without warning. The fine will be effective only after the first scouring.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: Citizens are not authorized to remove permitted structures. Demolition Permits will also be available at the Ministry of Progress. Unauthorized returns of structures will result in a 75 linden fine of the actor.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: Permits for construction will have a life span of 1 week. After 1 week owners will have to reapply at the Ministry in order to keep their structures in public. Structures with expired permits will be demolished and returned to their owners. Negligence is frowned upon but will incur no fine.

T.B. 007 Independent Judiciary – Failed

Whereas:
– there exists no institution to ensure that the legislature abide by the constitution.
– the ruling party has revealed its proclivity for tyrrany – an indisputable fact manifested in its marked lack of respect for its peers in the legislature and its fellow citizens of Terra as manifested in the abhorrent T.B. 003 (on registration).

Be it resolved:
– that an independent judiciary be established so as to enforce the spirit of the glorious leader’s constitution.
– that the judiciary comprise 3 naturalized citizens of Terra.
– that the judiciary be elected in bi-annual plebiscites.
– that the legislature may veto the ascendancy of any citizen elected to the judiciary with a super-majority of 2/3.

T.B. 007 Electoral Jurisdiction – Passed
A reminder: Change/Glory doesn’t come from terra, it comes to terra.

WHEREAS: The current voting system of terra does not fall under the
jurisdiction of the democratically elected government.

BE IT RESOLVED: That elections fall under the jurisdiction of
Ministry of Order.

T.B. 008

The Second Legislative Session – December 2008

The Second election saw the Glory Through Unity party fall from power and a coalition between the Freedom Alliance, Arbitrary Governance, and Bold Moose parties stepped in to take control. The following Legislation was put to the Legislature soon afterwards.

T.B. 009 MINISTRY ORGANIZATION – Passed
WHEREAS: The current ministries are not accurately named as to promote transparency and understanding among our beloved citizens of Terra, we hereby propose the following legislation:
BE IT RESOLVED: That the Freedom Alliance reverts to the golden days, and adopts the following ministry titles:
•    Whereas The Ministry of Order existed under Glory Through Unity, it shall now be christened The Ministry of Interior
•    Whereas The Ministry of Destiny existed under Glory Through Unity, it shall now be christened The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
•    Whereas The Ministry of Truth existed under Glory Through Unity, it shall now be christened The Ministry of Information
•    Whereas The Ministry of Progress existed under Glory Through Unity, it shall now be christened The Ministry of Development
•    Whereas The Ministry of Glorious Celebration existed under Glory Through Unity, it shall now be christened The Ministry of Entertainment
•    Whereas The Ministry of Equality existed under Glory Through Unity, it shall now be christened The Ministry of Finance
•    Whereas The Ministry of Cultural Guidance existed under Glory Through Unity, it shall now be christened The Ministry of Avatar Services

T.B. 010 TAXATION – Passed
WHEREAS: We hope to provide public services for our honorable citizens and protect our state from future infringements on freedom,
BE IT RESOLVED: The government of Terra will draft the following taxes and Duties
•    An tax of 10 lindens per electoral period for the promotion of public services

T.B. 011 INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY – Passed

WHEREAS:
– there exists no institution to ensure that the legislature abide by the constitution.

BE IT RESOLVED:
– that an independent judiciary be established so as to enforce the spirit of the glorious leader’s constitution.
– that the judiciary comprise 3 naturalized citizens of Terra.
– that any naturalized citizen may nominate any citizen of Terra to act as a judge.
– that the judiciary be elected in bi-annual plebiscites.
– that the legislature may veto the ascendancy of any citizen elected to the judiciary with a super-majority of 2/3.

Semester 2:  Feb – May ’09

The First Legislative Session – Mar 2009

The first election of the semester saw the government taken over by a coalition between the ANVP, Freedome Alliance, and WHIG parties with their percentage of the vote decreasing in the same order. The results for the vote on the following Legislation are as follows:

T.B. 012 – Passed

T.B. 013 – Failed

T.B. 014 – Failed

T.B. 015 – Passed

T.B. 012 TERRA AVATAR EMISSIONS RESTRICTIONS – Passed

WHEREAS: The present air quality in Terra:
a.  Needs Improvement
d.  Is irrelevant without a beautiful view
BE IT RESOLVED: The state will dispose of miscellaneous vehicles from the ground, and billboards from the sky. (Excluding Freedom Alliance and the ANVP and other minor parties such as the WHIG)
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The Helicopter remains as a relic of the greatness of the ANVP, and shall be left for posterity.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: All go-carts shall be quarantined.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: Anyone suspected of driving vehicles without the Freedom Alliance or ANVP’s permission shall be chastised, and/or tarred and feathered.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will review those suspected of harboring go-cart loyalties.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: A special relic of environmental endurance will be erected in the center of Terra.

T.B. 013 TERRA ARMS REDUCTIONS- Failed

WHEREAS: The presence of armaments in Terra:
d.  Is irrelevant, and therefore should be outlawed.
BE IT RESOLVED: The Freedom Alliance and the ANVP believe in promoting the peace.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The Bill of Rights of Terra shall be amended to exclude the right to bear arms. (Excluding armaments purchased prior to the 30th of March, 2009.)
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The military helicopter of the ANVP does not fall under these restrictions.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: Legal arms may be purchased from leaders of the ANVP’s: Foreign Affairs, Avatar Services, and Entertainment ministries.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: All tanks, rockets, and grenades shall be expunged from the land.

T.B. 014 MINISTRY ORGANIZATION – Failed

WHEREAS: The current Ministry name classifications of Avatar, Foreign Affairs, and Entertainment are misleading:
BE IT RESOLVED: The Ministry of Avatar Services will be renamed from The Ministry of Cultural Guidance, to The Ministry of Digital Persons.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be renamed from The Ministry of Destiny, to the Ministry of Kick Ass and Take Names.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The Ministry of Entertainment will be renamed from The Ministry of Glorious Celebration to the Ministry of Hospitable Provision.

T.B. 015 AMENDMENT TO ALLOW POPULAR PROPOSITION OF LAWS – Passed

Whereas:
1.    The Constitution of Terra states that “all interested members of the Middlebury constitution should be able to pursue freedom and liberty in their Second Life,” and
2.    such freedom should include the freedom to participate to some extent in the legislative process,

Be it moved that the Constitution be amended to include the following provisions:
1.    Common Bill System
2.    a Common Bill Pool will be created to house bills proposed by any citizen of Terra;
3.    any citizen of Terra may add a bill to the pool once per legislative session;
4.    three Common Bills per legislative session will be randomly chosen from the pool and proposed to the legislature;
5.    once the Common Bill selections enter the legislature, they will be voted on in the same manner as any other bill proposed by a member of Parliament;
6.    the Common Bill Pool will be stored in a folder administered by the judiciary;
7.    randomized bill-picking will be administered by the Ministry of the Interior;
8.    the method of randomization must be fully disclosed to the public.

Second, be it moved that the “Structure of Terra” section of the Constitution be revised accordingly, to say:

Citizens
1    Can submit bills to the Common Pool for random selection

The Second Legislative Session – Apr 2009

Here are the results for the second legislative session:

T.B. 016: Passed

T.B. 017: Passed

T.B. 018: Passed

T.B. 019: Failed

T.B. 020: Passed

T.B. 016 PRESERVING THE PEACE -Passed

WHEREAS: the state of Terra lacks
a. A functioning and secure prison system, and unit of coercion,
BE IT RESOLVED: A prison complex will be placed in the outskirts of Terra in order to detain abusers of the system for a period of one week.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: William Wendell Mackey aka Wendell Walmer will be in charge of all prison related activities and issues.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The Terra jail will be a humane place with running water, comfortable bedding, and scrumptious meals.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: Jail sentences to be mandatory only if an individual citizen of Terra refuses to pay a necessary tax or participates in the driving of go-carts.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: Cruel and unusual punishment will not be tolerated. Although, tarring and feathering contained under the AVATAR EMISSIONS RESTRICTIONS is exempt.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: Tax levels and tax collection initiatives will fall under the authority of the Minister of Finance.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: If the Minister of Finance is unavailable or brain-dead, the Freedom Alliance and/or ANVP will decide the proper course of action.

T.B. 017 REDUCTION IN TAXATION- Passed

WHEREAS: the ANVP values the citizens of Terra and believes the current tax of lindens to be too costly and high,
BE IT RESOLVED: The government of Terra will change the taxes and duties of 10 lindens per electoral period for the promotion of public services, to a more manageable sum of 5 lindens.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: Tax levels and tax collection initiatives will be under the authority of the Minister of Finance.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: If the Minister of Finance is unavailable or brain-dead, the Freedom Alliance and/or ANVP will decide the proper course of action.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: If the ANVP and Freedom Alliance are unable to reach a compromise, the next largest Party will then decide the proper course of action.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: because of the services legislators provide to the land of Terra, they will be exempt from all taxation, instead focusing their time on governing the great people of Terra.

T.B. 018  MARRIAGE-Passed

WHEREAS: love is an indefinable thing,
BE IT RESOLVED: All forms of marriage, traditional and non-traditional included but not limited to polygamy, polyandry, marriages to inanimate objects and all are protected and legal under the law.
BE IT RESOLVED: Proposals for marriage must be submitted to the Minister of Entertainment.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: All rights and privileges garnered via marriage are universal for all and shall not be abridged.

T.B. 019  ELECTORAL THRESHOLD-Failed

WHEREAS: minor parties cater to the political extremes,
BE IT RESOLVED: an electoral threshold of four percent be implemented to regulate the political system.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: An amendment to the Terra constitution is needed for this action to take place.

T.B. 020 WAR ON SOUTHERN ILLINOIS- Passed

WHEREAS: Middlebury Terra is the most glorious domain in all of second life
and
Whereas: All other domains deserve to experience in the glorious experience of Middlebury Terra
and
Whereas: the ability of second life residents to move freely within and without its borders has been materially impaired by walls and other obstructions to unity
and
Whereas: Middlebury Terra must begin assert its dominance over all of Second Life
and
Whereas: Middlebury Terra shares an irrelevant border with Southern Illinois University
and
Whereas: the government and populace of Middlebury Terra is destined by the Creator to expand and conquer
and
Whereas:
Middlebury Terra has amassed a sufficient amount of military force in the form of helicopters, flying pigs, and Bentleys
Therefore let it be resolved:
That the Middlebury Terra declare war upon the Southern Illinois University
And be it further resolved:
That upon the glorious victory of this war the wall between Southern Illinois University  and Middlebury Terra shall be torn down and their populace made to recognize the Glorious government of Middlebury Terra

Legislative Session #3 Spring 2009

T.B. 021 MONITORING- Failed

WHEREAS: Terra’s political system is just yet fragile,
BE IT RESOLVED: The leading majority Party of Terra at the time will have the right to monitor all political parties at the poles during election days.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: No single person may advertise, harass, or request patrons to vote for their respective party. However, class wide emails are allowed.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: All political banners shall be in the form of bulletins, not cubes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: All political banners shall be placed in a single location in order to maximize navigable space in the land of Terra.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: the infamous Brendan Smith, residing in LIS Media Lab, will delete all cubes or unnecessarily large objects online if they make their presence known.

T.B. 022 INVOLVING THE PEOPLE- Failed

WHEREAS: Terra needs active involvement via its citizens in order to further the cause of good governance,
BE IT RESOLVED: Citizens and legislators alike will be required to spend at least 10 minutes per week on Terra.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: All class members shall post on Middlebury Terra’s blog with gossip, fanfare, and political advertisements.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: All correspondence between Ministry officials shall be posted on the Terra blog for all to chuckle at and see.

T.B. 023 HONORING MR. ROSS CARL BROCKWAY- Failed

WHEREAS: Ross was a dynamic, funny, and somewhat mislead Prime Minister,
BE IT RESOLVED: A memorial structure or banner (bearing his image) will be erected in his honor in the outskirts of Terra.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: Mr. Brockway is cleared of all crimes against the people of Terra.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: If Mr. Brockway ever again desires to run for the office of Prime Minister, he must first clearly describe WHAT exactly constitutes freedom.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: Ross may never again use double negatives in any speech or act of conversation in the future.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: Ross’ cunning intellect and value as a citizen shall be honored and his presence during Ministry meetings shall be welcomed.

T.B. 024 NATIONAL LANGUAGE- Failed

WHEREAS:
— The state of Terra lacks a sufficiently patriotic society.
— A national language would create a bond that unites all Territians.
— Terra is unique and will not stoop to adopting a language used by other nations.

BE IT RESOLVED:

— That Terra adopt Wingdings as its national language.
— That all official governmental communications be written in Wingdings.
— That all citizens that fail to use Wingdings will be marked as traitors to the honorable state of Terra and will be sent to prison until they are proficient in Wingdings.

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