Acadia Council of Delegates

The **Acadia Council of Delegates** is the upper chamber of the Acadia National Assembly. The Council has 39 members (called "delegates"), comprising of one delegate from each of the thirty-eight counties plus the Vice President.

## Structure and procedures

In the Constitution of Acadia, the Council of Delegates is designated as the "voice of expertise and deliberation" while the Senate embodies the "will of the people." The Council is only meant to "aid and refine" the will of the people, not override it. Because of this, the Council is less powerful than the Senate despite being considered more prestigious.

### Passing bills

When a bill is introduced in the Senate, it must be passed in the Senate by a simple majority (91 votes). Afterwards, the bill must be passed by the Council with only a one-thirds vote (13 votes). This makes it difficult and rare for the Council to kill a bill from the Senate.

Conversely, a bill introduced from the Council must be passed in the Council by a simple majority (20 votes), but then must be passed in the Senate by a two-thirds vote (121 votes). This make is very easy for the Senate to pass legislation without the Council rejecting it.

For example: Delegate Tracy Mitchell of Cayuga introduced the Election Day Holiday Bill on April 9, 2004. The bill was passed on the Council 25-14. The bill moved to the Senate, and was narrowly passed with 126-55. The President of Acadia cannot veto a bill if it was passed by two-thirds or more of the National Assembly (147 out of 220 members). Since there were 151 Assembly members voting for the bill, President Amelia Lark had to sign the bill.

On June 18, 2007, the Senate passed a controversial bill 91-90. It was also passed in the Council 14-25. Since the total Assembly vote was 105 (less than 147), President Amelia Lark was able to veto the bill, which she did.

In 2014, the Council passed a bill 34-5. The bill was killed in the Senate 119-62.

In 2015, the Senate passed a bill 143-38. The bill was passed by the Council 13-26. It was no able to be vetoed.

In 2017, the Senate passed a bill 91-90. The bill was killed in the Council 8-31.

In 2017, the Senate passed 94-87. It was passed in the Council 24-15. The bill was vetoed by President Justin Hughes.

### Impeachment

The Council does not have the power to begin impeachment processes. Only the Senate can introduce a bill of impeachment. After the bill is passed by a majority in the Senate (91 votes), the Council then has the responsibility to hold hearings on the official.

After the hearings/investigations, the Council has the final say on whether or not to impeach the official, requiring a simple majority (20 votes).

## Current composition (22nd Period)

### Party lines

The threshold for a majority is 20 seats. The current majority is the Progressive Party with 21 seats, following by the Conservative Party with 16. The Green Party has 1 seat, and there is one independent delegate.

### Leadership

* **Chief Delegate:** Bernard Clayman (P-AB), since January 30, 2012
* **Head Party Leader:** Bernard Clayman, (P-AB), since January 30, 2012
* **Opposition Party Leader:** Jason McNally (C-SS), since January 30, 2016