Senate of the Republic

## **Overview**

The Republic's **Senate** is a representative in charge of writing and voting on legislation. The **Senate** is bicameral, meaning it consists of two separate houses. These are the House of Commons and the House of State. Both houses function to write and pass legislation and to approve or disapprove certain acts from the Grand Premier such as going to war or integrating new sub-factions.

## **Membership**

The **Senate** is divided into two houses. The upper house is known as the House of State and the lower house is known as the House of Commons.

### **House of State**

#### Structure

The House of State consists of five directly elected Senators known as Statesmen. These Senators are to have no political affiliation. It also consists of non-voting Heads of State from each Republic sub-faction.

#### Selection

The Senators for the House of State are directly elected by the citizens of the Republic via a preferential (alternative) vote to six month terms. The campaigning for the election last for no shorter than one week before the vote.

The Electoral Commission can choose to change the number of seats in the House of State before the general election.

#### Succession

The Senators of the House of State are elected every six months. At the end of their term, the Electoral Commission organizes a new election to directly elect new Senators via a preferential (alternative) vote.

If a House of State Senator steps down during their term, a new election is held to fill that seat for the remainder of the term.

### **House of Commons**

#### Structure

The House of Commons consists of ten elected Senators known as Commoners. These Senators are members of political parties.

#### Selection

The Senators for the House of Commons are appointed by political parties elected by the citizens of the Republic via a proportional representation vote to four month terms. The campaigning for the election last for no shorter than one week before the vote.

The Electoral Commission can choose to change the number of seats in the House of Commons before the general election.

#### Succession

The Senators of the House of Commons are elected every four months. At the end of their term, the Electoral Commission organizes a new election to redistribute the seats between political parties via a proportional representation vote.

If a House of Commons Senator steps down during their term, they can be replaced by the political party that hold their seat.

## **Functions**

### **House of State**

#### Legislative Duties

All Senators in the House of State can introduce bills to the House of Commons. If a bill passes by a majority (but not super majority) it is sent to the House of State to vote on. If approved by a majority, it is sent to the Grand Premier to enact. Otherwise, the bill is sent back to the House of commons for amending. This is also the same method the Republic's budget is to be set, however, a budget must be set every four months.

The House of State also votes to approve constitutional amendments that are approved by a super majority in the House of Commons. These amendments must be passed by a hard majority in the House of State before being sent to the Grand Premier to either approve or veto.

Both the House of State and the House of Commons will collectively elect and appoint a single speaker via majority vote in both houses. Either vote may remove the speaker, if they do, the speaker is removed from both houses.

#### Electing and Impeaching the Grand Premier

The House of State is responsible for electing the Grand Premier who is the leader of the Executive Branch of the Republic. The House of State can also impeach and remove the Grand Premier via a super majority vote.

#### Approving Sub-Factions

The House of State may choose to approve the recognition of a new potential sub-faction looking to join the Republic. After receiving the potential sub-faction's charter, the sub-faction can be approved and recognized by a majority vote.

#### Military and War

The House of State is privy to all information and functions of the military. It is also in charge of approving new military commands.

If the House of Commons approves a declaration of war from the Grand Premier, the House of State can vote in super majority to approve and start it.

#### Ministers and the Ministerial Council

If the Grand Premier presents the motion, the House of State has the power to remove a minister from their position with a majority vote.

A representative from the House of State is privy to all information and proceedings of the Ministerial Council. When the Grand Premier limits information in the interest of national security, the House of State is also privy to that information.

#### Appointing a President of the Supreme Court

The House of State appoints and confirms a President of the Supreme Court from the existing justices.

#### Electoral Commission Adviser

The House of State appoints one of their members to the Electoral Commission as a constitutional adviser.

### **House of Commons**

#### Legislative Duties

All Senators in the House of Commons (and citizens with Senator co-sponsor) are able to introduce bills. If the bill is passed by a majority vote, they are sent to the House of State to vote on. If the bill is passed by a super majority vote, it then gets sent directly to the Grand Premier to either enact or veto. This is also the same method the Republic's budget is to be set, however, a budget must be set every four months.

The House of Commons can also propose amendments to the constitution. Proposed constitutional amendments need to be approved by a super majority before they are sent to the House of State. Constitutional amendments must go through the House of State, even if they are passed by a super majority.

Both the House of State and the House of Commons will collectively elect and appoint a single speaker via majority vote in both houses. Either vote may remove the speaker, if they do, the speaker is removed from both houses.

#### Forming the Government

The largest party or coalition will form the governing party. The leader of the largest party (within the governing party or coalition) is appointed as the Premier.

#### Appointing Secretaries of State

The governmental party in the House of Commons can appoint Senators from their rank to be Secretaries of State. These appointees should be experts in the field they are appointed to (for example Defense or Finance). They are considered to be an extension of the Premier and are subject to the Premier's orders.

#### Military and War

If the Grand Premier presents the motion to declare war, the House of Commons can vote in majority to approve it. If passed it is given to the House of State for approval.

## **Checks and Balances**

### Wrongdoing

If a member of the Senate is found guilty of wrongdoing by the Electoral Commission, they can be removed from office. If removed from office in this way, they are banned from holding a government position for the period of one year.