Law:Procedural Rules of the Executive Branch

**THE UNIVERSAL TRIUMVIRATE PROCEDURAL RULES OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH**

**Amendments:**

1. **12.29.12:** Addition to Section 5: Ranks adding two more levels dependent on significant awards.
2. **1.3.13:** Reorganization, Addition to Section 5, New Section 8 on Absence: Clarifying ranks, added definitions and rules of absence.
3. **1.5.13:** Reorganization, Addition of Recess Rules, Addition on Committee Appointment.
4. **1.12.13:** Major Executive Powers in the Committee Appointment Process.
5. **1.13.13:** Defining Packaged Proposals.
6. **1.20.13:** Added Motion to Return.
7. **2.13.13:** Moved from a majority to amend the Procedural Rules to two-thirds to amend.
8. **4.9.13:** Added Ogamon Emblem in ranking of Executives.
9. **4.16.13:** Redefined impeachment rules to remove no-vocalization loophole.
10. **6.20.13:** Added members of the Joint Command Council into ranking, eliminated Founding Executive rank.
11. **4.30.14:** Adding rules for resolutions
12. **5.26.14:** Two Executive and two Administrator requirement for tabling.
13. **6.19.14:** Implementation of new, private voting system. Modernizing procedural rules to eliminate unnecessary or outdated sections.
14. **9.19.14:** Clarification on closing rules, compulsory impeachment after three motions of no confidence, Senatorial Condemnation.
15. **10.8.14:** Motions to amend, extended postponement lengths, 'motion of no confidence' renamed to censure.
16. **1.23.15:** Executives may not propose their own transfer of office, addition of the Neil Emblem, concurring with the recent Executive Initiative.
17. **3.1.15:** Making the Major Executive the presiding parliamentary officer.
18. **4.19.15:** All matters (except urgent or non-controversial) must have a 48 hour discussion period where voting shall not be permitted. Added motion for debate.
19. **5.2.15:** Lengthening Executive ranks to six months. Clarifying seniority for two Executives who join at the same time.
20. **5.15.15:** Concurring with EI 2015-II-01.
21. **7.17.15:** Rules take 3/4 approval to amend, clarifying difference in procedure for textual and non-textual matters, requiring a 72 hour voting period, amendment period for textual matters, floor can be held during debate period, motion to postpone altered to delay, Executive applicants go through vote for consideration before vote to approve, motion to lock added, Executive committee chairs elected by entire branch, Major Executive makes individual committee appointments, constitutional amendments proposal require three supporting Executive and three supporting Administrators.
22. **8.3.15:** Setting time limits to declare and vote in Major and Minor Executive elections.
23. **11.5.15:** Provision for candidates that have been approved for consideration for Executive positions be presented before the Executive Branch for questioning.
24. **1.28.16:** Modifying section 17 so the number of co-sponsors no longer apply when proposing a law due to the recent membership crisis.

**Introduction:**

The Procedural Rules of the Executive Branch shall exist to define the nature of the Executive Branch and to set proper routine for the activities of the Executive Branch in order to allow for deviation of standard procedure in specific circumstances and to standardize how the Executive Branch conducts business. Provided that the Constitution grants the Executive Branch the power to “determine the Rules of its Proceedings”, these rules are so ordained and established.
These Rules should be followed to the fullest extent possible, as it is important for a well defined order to exist in the government of the Universal Triumvirate.
## **Section 1: Primary Definitions and Amendment of the Procedural Rules**

**Rule 1: Amendment of the Procedural Rules of the Executive Branch**

These Procedural Rules may be amended by a vote of three-fourths of the Executive Branch in favor.
**Rule 2: Voting**

A Vote shall be defined as a matter before the Executive Branch set to the rules established in the Constitution, subsequent laws, and these procedural rules, which requires the Executive Branch to make a decision on it.
Votes shall generally be made (except on matters where it is noted this shall not take place) via private selection in polling of the voting location so as to maintain privacy of vote and make the process simple and efficient. As such, only one matter requiring one vote shall occur per voting thread. An Executive may change their vote at any time before whatever measure they have voted on has been approved of unless otherwise noted. Votes on bills, amendments, elections, and most matters unless otherwise noted shall all include an option for "Yea or in favor", "Nay or not in favor", and "Abstain".
Votes not done in that private manner shall require that an Executive must clearly indicate their vote and, if there is reasonable doubt as to how an Executive has voted, then their vote shall not be counted and they must recast their vote more clearly in order for it to be legitimate. Primary statements indicating favor of a measure are “Yea” or “In favor”, whereas primary statements indicating a negative vote for a measure are “Nay” or “Not in favor”.
**Rule 3: Motions**

A Motion shall be defined as an exact call by an Executive that must be seconded by the appropriate amount of supporters to be determined by the rule applying, to make a deviation or extend a specific rule of procedure to what is on table.
A motion is made by an Executive by stating “I move for ‘motion type’” or something of equivalent indication towards the intent for a motion. Motions often require seconding in order for them to be approved.
**Rule 4: Seconding**

A Second shall be defined as a statement of support by an Executive in support of a motion.
To second a motion an Executive must state “Second” after a motion has been brought forth. If multiple motions were brought forth, the Executive seconded should specifically indicate which motion(s) they second. If it says it must be seconded by a majority of the Executives it means that, including the original motion maker, a majority of Executives must approve of the motion. A second cannot be withdrawn once made except with specific permission from the motion maker.
**Rule 5: Textual and Non-Textual Matters**

Textual matters are matters requiring a vote which contain a textual element such as a bill, resolution, constitutional amendment, amendment to the Procedural Rules of the Executive Branch, mandate, declaration of war, or initiative.
Non-textual matters are matters requiring a vote which do not contain a textual element and generally deal with an individual such as elections, impeachments, censures, recesses, or transfers of office.
## **Section 2: Organization of the Executive Branch**

**Rule 6: Order of Seniority**

1. Current Major Executive
2. Current Minor Executive
3. The Chairman of the Joint Command Council
4. Executives who have received the Triunity High Honor Emblem (in order of who received the emblem first)
5. Those who have served as both Major and Minor (in order of who served as Major Executive first)
6. Past Major Executives (in order of who served as Major Executive first)
7. Executives serving as associate members of the Joint Command Council.
8. Executives who have received the Intellect Emblem (in order of who received the emblem first)
9. Executives who have received the Ogamon Emblem (in order of who received the emblem first)
10. Executives who have received the Neil Emblem (in order of who received the emblem first)
11. Past Minor Executives (in order of who served as Minor Executive first)
12. Senior Executives, those who have been a member of the Executive Branch for at least twelve months. (in order of oldest Executive)
13. Sophomore Executives, those who have been a member of the Executive Branch for under twelve months but greater than six months. (in order of oldest Executive)
14. Freshman Executives, those who have been a member of the Executive Branch for under six months. (in order of oldest Executive)

Freshman, Sophomore, and Senior shall be utilized as a measure of time in office and when addressing rank Executives should refer to one of those four. (Ex. An Executive may be both a sophomore Executive and a past Major Executive, they would name their official rank as a sophomore Executive. However, as a matter of superiority they are superior over other normal sophomore Executives.)
Executives should defer and give due respect to those who rank above them, while keeping their own political integrity and independence. Rank is also utilized for seniority with regards to committees and occasions. When formally listing or naming Executives it should be done in the order of seniority.
Should an Executive leave, become inactive leading to abandonment, or be removed from their office they will lose their Executive rank and be required to begin as a freshman Executive (unless they qualify for another position besides that of freshman, sophomore, or senior) once more unless they rejoin the Executive Branch within two weeks of departure. If an Executive switches from one position to the other, they shall keep their position.
Should two individuals take office on the same day, the person who shall have been elected first shall be more senior; in the event that there is no distinction as such, if an individual shall have served as an Executive prior, they shall receive priority (or, in the case that both did, in terms of who served first); in the event that there is no distinction as such, if an individual shall have served as an Administrator prior, they shall receive priority (or, in the case that both did, in terms of who served first); in the event that there is no distinction as such, they shall be ranked alphabetically by last name.
**Rule 7: Discussion**

As a rule any Executive may start a discussion on any subject. All discussions should be watched and read by all Executives to the best of their ability to do so. The use of “discussion” in context of the Executive Branch means a matter before the Executive Branch, for example, tabling a law, tabling an application for a new Executive, impeaching, announcing retirement, and any other matter before the entire Executive Branch is a “discussion”.
**Rule 8: Archiving Discussions**

All major discussions within the Executive Branch should be archived and kept by the Major Executive to be passed down to the next Major Executive. The Major Executive or the Executive Branch may initiate the public release of any discussions that do not contain sensitive information and are at least eight months old.
**Rule 9: Presiding Parliamentary Officer**

The Major Executive shall be the ultimate authority to rule on procedure within the Executive Branch and shall act as the presiding parliamentary officer accordingly.
**Rule 10: Absence**

In the absence, by any means, of an Executive Branch member, no vote will be counted or discussed for that Executive so that when an Executive is absent in an Executive vote, that Executive’s vote is removed from the maximum vote count. If an Executive is inactive for more than five days they are treated as absent. An Executive should inform the Executive Branch of any extended absences lasting more than three days so that they may be removed from the vote account appropriately.
**Rule 11: Resignation**

A resignation shall be defined as leaving the Executive Branch on their own accord without significant warning (of two weeks or less before their date of leave), usually occurring due to a personal emergency, likely impeachment, or conflict within the Triumvirate. The Executive resigning should clearly indicate the date of their effective resignation and why they are resigning.
**Rule 12: Retirement**

A retirement shall be defined as leaving the Executive Branch on their own accord with giving significant warning (of any amount of time over two weeks before their date of leave). The Executive retiring should clearly indicate the date of their effective leave and why they are retiring.
**Rule 13: Senatorial Condemnation**

If all Senators agree, they may invoke Senatorial Condemnation against an Executive which shall count as an immediate censure.
**Rule 14: Standing Initiatives**

The Executive Initiative to encourage action, activity, efficiency, and competition amongst the Executives for the continued future (EI 2015-II-01) is hereby the policy of the Executive Branch.
## **Section 3: Tabling Matters**

**Rule 15: General Scheduling of Textual Matters**

On textual matters requiring a vote, unless otherwise noted, the Executive tabling such matter shall put it before the branch with the vote closed. The first 48 hours after proposal shall be considered deliberation and the vote shall be closed but motions and debate shall be permitted. If the Executive submitting the matter or the Major Executive consider the matter urgent or non-controversial they may waive the deliberation, amendment, and debate periods so as to move immediately to final voting while justifying the reason for doing so. The scheduling may also be waived by a motion for cloture, which shall bring a matter to a final vote on its success.
During deliberation time, Executives may propose amendments to a textual matter via a secondary thread which clearly states the specific amendment to be made and to which tabled matter. Proposed amendments may insert content, strike content, or substitute content but the amendment proposed must be germane as to what it is being applied to and the Major Executive shall have the authority to declare an amendment as being impertinent and not germane. Amendments shall not receive time for debate or deliberation and shall be voted on in a period of 72 hours immediately as they are proposed. An amendment must have a majority of the Executive Branch in favor to have been approved and any Executive who has not voted on an amendment within 72 hours from its proposal shall be considered absent for the amendment. The initial matter shall move forward only once all amendments proposed in the first 48 hours have been voted on and have been passed or rejected. In the event an amendment was approved, the matter shall be adjusted to such and the amended version shall be its new form. The Major Executive shall act as the authority in maintaining focus and managing so as to further the understanding as to the complexities of amendments and, in the event of amendments resulting in too many intricacies, unreasonable parliamentary stresses, or resulting in a final version of a matter that is inadequately put together or maintains unreasonable errors, the Major Executive shall be able to declare all amendments void so that the matter shall go forward as was originally proposed.
After deliberation shall have concluded and no amendments are still unresolved or once all amendments are resolved, the matter shall proceed into debate which shall last 48 hours wherein no amendments may be made but Executive shall be free to discuss and debate the matter as is. Motions shall be permitted during debate.
An Executive may hold the floor during the last 24 hours of debate and then in voting so as to deny others speaking rights by posting every fifteen minutes and stating “hold” at the end of each statement to indicate that they continue to hold the floor privately and, as long as an Executive holds the floor prior to the vote opening, voting shall not be opened until the floor is not held either by the Executive holding ceasing their hold without deferring it to another Executive, the Executive failing to post within 15 minutes from their previous hold, or a motion for cloture shall have intervened ending all debate on the matter entirely.
After 48 hours shall have concluded for debate or a motion for cloture shall have succeeded, the vote shall be opened for 72 hours, during which point debate and motions may continue, and any Executive who has not voted for a matter within 72 hours shall be considered absent and shall not count towards the vote. A vote shall not be finalized until all Executives shall have voted on it or until 72 hours shall have passed, even if the subject matter at hand were to have appeared to pass.
**Rule 16: General Scheduling of Non-Textual Matters**

On non-textual matters requiring a vote, unless otherwise noted, the Executive tabling such matter shall put it before the branch with the vote closed. The first 48 hours after the proposal shall be considered debate, wherein motions and debate shall be allowed. If the Executive submitting the matter or the Major Executive consider the matter urgent or non-controversial they may waive the debate period so as to move immediately to final voting while justifying the reason for doing so. The scheduling may also be waived by a motion for cloture, which shall bring a matter to a final vote on its success.
An Executive may hold the floor during the last 24 hours of debate and then in voting so as to deny others speaking rights by posting every fifteen minutes and stating “hold” at the end of each statement to indicate that they continue to hold the floor privately and, as long as an Executive holds the floor prior to the vote opening, voting shall not be opened until the floor is not held either by the Executive holding ceasing their hold without deferring it to another Executive, the Executive failing to post within 15 minutes from their previous hold, or a motion for cloture shall have intervened ending all debate on the matter entirely.
After 48 hours shall have concluded for debate or a motion for cloture shall have succeeded, the vote shall be opened for 72 hours, during which point debate and motions may continue, and any Executive who has not voted for a matter within 72 hours shall be considered absent and shall not count towards the vote. A vote shall not be finalized until all Executives shall have voted on it or until 72 hours shall have passed, even if the subject matter at hand were to have appeared to pass.
**Rule 17: Law Proposal**

In order to propose a law an Executive must table it before the Executive Branch for deliberation. For amendments to this law, Executives must have at least two Executives or Administrators and table it for Executives to vote on. Once this has been achieved, a private poll must be attached and locked for deliberation on the matter.
**Rule 18: Resolutions**

In order to propose a resolution, the resolution must have at least two Executive sponsors/framers as well as at least two Administrator sponsors/framers. Once that is achieved, an Executive may table it to the Executive Branch with a vote poll attached so that voting on the bill may commence.
**Rule 19: Constitutional Amendment Proposal**

In order to propose an amendment to the Constitution, an Executive must start a discussion pertaining to that amendment and they must list at least two other Executives and three Administrators in support of such amendment. They shall provide the exact location of where the amendment will be implemented within the Constitution and its context.
**Rule 20: Election**

For a candidate to first be considered for an Executive position, they must first be submitted to the Executive Branch for a vote on whether to consider them wherein the Executive wishing them to be considered shall post their name and their information to the Executive Branch as a non-textual matter to be voted on under the rules for such. In order to be approved for consideration, the candidate must receive a majority of Executives in favor.
If a majority of the Executive Branch has agreed to the consideration of a candidate, the candidate for an Executive position must go through the standard process of application requiring a test on Executive Branch procedure and shall then appear before the Executive Branch, where they will give a statement and answer questions asked by Executives. After questions have ended, they shall be removed from access to the Executive Branch and the Executive supporting their approval must then submit it to the Executive Branch as a non-textual matter to be voted on under the rules for such. If approved by the Executive Branch by a two-thirds vote, the Executive who tabled their application or the Major Executive shall send them a letter of acceptance inviting them into the Executive Branch as soon as possible. The discussion pertaining to their election should be closed before they enter office and as courtesy, who voted for or against their entrance should not be discussed.
When they have officially joined the Executive Branch either the Major Executive or the person who nominated them should create a discussion solely for them to get to know the other Executives, ask questions, and get familiar with the branch.
**Rule 21: Major and Minor Executive Election**

Elections for Major and Minor Executive shall be done in a public vote as is described by the Constitution.
Candidates for Major Executive must declare within 72 hours from when the declaration begins.
Candidates for Minor Executive must declare within 72 hours from when the declaration begins.
Votes for Major Executive and Minor Executive must be made within 72 hours from when voting begins.
**Rule 22: Impeachment**

In order to initiate impeachment proceedings, an Executive must start a discussion, which shall include a vote poll (closed for 48 hours as standard), pertaining to the impeachment and laying out reasons why they feel a specific Executive should be removed from office. The floor must go to the subject of the impeachment first before it goes to any other person (Exception: the Executive who tabled the measure, the acting Major Executive). After the target of impeachment has given their statement in response, or in the case of no response, 24 hours have transpired, the floor shall be open to all Executives.
Holds may not be utilized during debate on impeachments.
**Rule 23: Nominations**

The nomination of an individual (external to the Executive Branch, such as to a court seat or to the JCC) shall be initiated by an Executive as a non-textual matter. The subject of the nomination shall not speak before the Executive Branch aside from their statement unless there is a motion for their testimony or for officer opinion (whichever one applies).
**Rule 24: Mandate Proposal**

Mandates require a majority of Executives (excluding the subject(s) of the mandate), and they may be passed privately outside of the Executive Branch. When a mandate has been approved it must be tabled by one of the proposers of the mandate to the full branch so that the branch and all subjects of the mandate can view it.
**Rule 25: Initiative**

An initiative must be passed by a majority of the Executive Branch and are equal in power to a mandate except that they enforce a more general goal instead of a specific task. Initiatives must be tabled to the entire Executive Branch contrary to a mandate and the details of the initiative are discussed by the entire Executive Branch. They are, in concept, a goal that applies only to the Executive Branch and sets an Executive goal to achieve a specific outcome.
**Rule 26: Declaration of War Proposal**

A declaration of war proposal should be made by the Executive Branch confidentially, not to be discussed until it has been tabled before the Administrative Branch. An Executive may propose war against another and discussion pertaining to the declaration and its necessity or lack thereof. The Executive Branch should exercise extreme caution in proposing a declaration of war. Declarations of war shall be made by public vote by default.
Holds may not be utilized during debate on proposals to declare war.
**Rule 27: Censure**

A censure is directed at an Executive in order to reprimand them for doing a poor job, acting poorly, or failing to hold up to their office. It may be brought up by any Executive in a distinct position, where they must state why they are proposing so against an Executive, and must be approved by a majority of the Executive Branch. There is no solid consequence for if censure is approved on an Executive but it should be documented on their résumé and seen as a tool to actively indicate disapproval. The Executive at the subject may not be counted in the Executives needed to approve or disapprove of the censure against themselves.
For every three successful censures against a person, the Major Executive must initiate an impeachment for such Executive.
Holds may not be utilized during debate on censures.
**Rule 28: Transfer of Office**

To transfer from one Executive office to another, another Executive must submit their desire to do so in a discussion and give a statement as to why they want to switch and what their qualifications are for switching in which the voting shall commence, similarly to how Executives are elected. Per the Constitution, a two-thirds vote (excluding the subject) is required to approve the transfer.
**Rule 29: Recess**

The Executive Branch may, by a simple majority vote in favor of its members, set itself in recess for a period of time determined at the time of the decision to enter a recess. Otherwise a recess may be set by a formal law approved by the Executive Branch for the purpose of establishing a set recess. If a simple majority of Executives are able to reconvene and decide to take the Executive Branch out of recess before the period of recess expires, they may do so. Recess may be taken for those times when there is little to attend to or the Executive Branch needs to postpone its activities due to a private problem, Executive absence, or other matter crucial to Executive effectiveness.
The Executive Branch may not be in recess for more than three months of a year and must make it clear to the public when they are in recess.
The Executive Branch may not declare itself in recess if the Triumvirate is currently at war, the Administrative Branch has two-thirds of its members against the Executives entering recess, there are less than four Executives in office, there is a severe threat to the Triumvirate, the Executive Branch is currently performing an act assigned to it by another government institution, there is no Major or Minor Executive, or the opening of a trimester is within two weeks before or after.
During a recess at least two Executives must remain active watching the Triumvirate and, should an emergency occur, have the role of calling the Executives back. At least one of the Executives must be of a rank over freshman or be the Major Executive unless there are less than three Executives over the rank of freshman in which case any Executive may take the responsibility. During a recess no time shall be counted towards inactivity in office for any Executive nor shall it count to cease the progression of Executive ranks and time in office. Work done within the Triumvirate and the Executive Branch during such recess shall be given full recognition. Executives may still work during the recess but may not perform actions that would require Executive Branch approval. No Executive may leave office during a recess and all Executive, Judicial, or other relevant submissions shall be held until the recess expires. All matters necessary for the Executive Branch to attend to will be postponed until the Executive Branch comes back from recess.
**Rule 30: Accessory Matters**

Any matter which has a process not specifically discussed in these Procedural Rules or via the Constitution or any law or guideline in the Triumvirate shall fall subject to a general rule of tabling and discussion. Such matters may include the nomination for a lower office, issuing of awards, proposal of pardons, request for recess, or any other matter.
To table any measure or matter the discussion must be submitted to the Executive Branch by an Executive and discussed in a general manner until it is voted upon by the same restrictions established by these Procedural Rules.
## **Section 4: Motions**

**Rule 31: Motion to Suspend Motion**

A Motion to Suspend Motion shall be made to suspend another motion after the other motion has been approved (such as stopping a Motion to Lock or Motion for Postponement), It may be made by any Executive and must be seconded by a majority of the Executive Branch.
**Rule 32: Discussion Closing, Motion to Close**

To close a discussion of any kind the Major Executive must have permission to close it from the creator of the discussion. Only the Major Executive may close a discussion.
Any Executive may submit a Motion to Close a discussion and if a majority of Executives second the motion, or if the Executive originally tabling the matter supports it, the Major Executive shall close the discussion topic before it would have regularly come to a close. If there are not sufficient seconds, but there is no serious objection after five days to closing the matter after a motion to close, the Major Executive may close a matter.
**Rule 33: Motion to Leave Open**

Any Executive may make a Motion to Leave Open which must be seconded by one-third of the Executives for a discussion to remain open in a circumstance it would not usually be left open (such as after it has been concluded or if the discussion starter has requested it be closed). If the Major Executive sees the Motion to Leave Open they should wait to close the thread before they see the verdict of the motion.
**Rule 34: Motion for Postponement**

A Motion for Postponement shall, if approved as standard (one week) postponement, suspend on the next step (such as voting) of a matter for one week so as to allow for more debate or amendments to be allowed. Any Executive may make a Motion for Postponement, as standard for one week, which must be seconded by one-third of the Executives.
A motion to postpone for any non-standard period of time (including indefinitely) may be made by any Executive and shall require a majority of the Executives to second.
A motion to postpone a matter indefinitely may be made by any Executive and shall require a majority of the Executives to second. It shall, if successful, require that the subject be locked permanently until an auxiliary motion to suspend the motion shall have intervened and allowed the matter to be addressed again.
The Executive tabling the matter may postpone a matter as they please as well provided they have the consent of the Major Executive, which may be overruled by a motion to suspend.
**Rule 35: Motion for Cloture**

A Motion for Cloture shall, if approved, require that no more debate, amendments, or discussion be held on a topic and that the Executive Branch proceeds immediately to a final vote on the matter with any amendments that have been approved at the time. Any Executive may make a Motion for Cloture which must be seconded by two-thirds of the Executives. A Motion for Cloture may not be made in a situation where it would not be permitted (such as legal provisions requiring a certain amount of discussion such as Constitutional amendments or some elections).
**Rule 36: Motion for a Public Vote**

By default all votes of the Executive Branch shall be private, private meaning that Executives do not know who voted for or against a measure. A Public Vote shall be defined as a vote in which there is a public voting process and the Executives are aware as to how their associates voted on a particular measure as each Executive must post their vote for it to be counted.
An Executive may make a Motion for a Public Vote which must be seconded by two-thirds of Executives.
**Rule 37: Motion for Administrative Opinion**

A Motion for Administrative Opinion shall, if approved, require that an opinion is heard from the Speaker of the Administration on an issue before the Executive Branch and that the current matter be postponed as is until such opinion is heard.
Any Executive may make a Motion for Administrative Opinion which must be seconded by a majority of the Executives.

**Rule 38: Motion for Officer Opinion**

A Motion for Office Opinion shall, if approved, require than an opinion is heard from a government officer (such as an Agency Director or Deputy Head of a Department) before the Executive Branch and that the current matter be postponed as is until such opinion is heard.
Any Executive may make a Motion for Officer Opinion which must be seconded by a majority of the Executives.
**Rule 39: Motion for Testimony**

A Motion for Testimony shall, if approved, require that an opinion is heard from a person who is not a government officer (such as a private citizen, department worker, or a business owner) before the Executive Branch and that the current matter be postponed as is until such opinion is heard.
Any Executive may make a Motion for Testimony which must be seconded by two-thirds of the Executives.

**Rule 40: Motion for Investigation**

A Motion for Investigation shall, if approved, require that the Executive Branch answers a question relevant to the subject at hand such as conducting a poll or looking into the historical background and that the current matter be postponed as is until such is investigated.
A Motion for Investigation may be made by any Executive and must be seconded by two-thirds of the Executive Branch.
**Rule 41: Motion to Return**

A Motion to Return shall, if approved, require that a law or proposal is returned back to the committee it originated from or would most closely be associated to for further consideration and review. After such consideration and review it may be resubmitted to the Executive Branch.
A Motion to Return may be made by any Executive and must be seconded by a majority of the Executive Branch.
**Rule 42: Motion to Lock**

A Motion to Lock shall, if approved, require that a matter be locked completely for one week and that, when the lock ends, the matter resume as it was so that any time limits on debate or voting be ignored during the lock.
Any Executive may make a Motion to Lock which must be seconded by a majority of the Executives.
A Motion to Lock may be cancelled by a Motion to Suspend Motion.
## **Section 5: Committees**

**Rule 43: Election of Chairs**

At the onset of the trimester, the Major Executive shall open threads for the election of committee chairs who shall be Executives. All Executives shall have 72 hours to declare which chair seats they’d like to run for and may select up to three. Following such, the Major Executive shall open up an individual thread for each and there shall be 48 hours for each of the candidates for each chair to give statements and for Executives to discuss and debate the matter. After 48 hours, the vote shall open for 72 hours and the Executive to have received the most votes shall receive the chair for the trimester. In the event that the vote is split evenly for who shall be the chair, the most senior Executive shall become chair. In the event that an Executive is uncontested, they shall automatically become the chair and no vote shall be required.
**Rule 44: Appointment to Committees**

Once the chairs have been selected, the Major Executive shall assign Executives to committees considering their role, experience, and seniority.
By a majority vote of the Executive Branch, in which the subject is excluded, a seat may be denied to an Executive who would have received it by the aforementioned system so long as a legitimate other Executive is put in the place. This should be used in cases where there is an Executive who clearly does not fit into a committee.
**Rule 45: Removal from Chairmanship**

An Executive may be removed as chair of a committee by a majority vote of the Executive Branch and, in the event of a vacancy in the chair, a special election shall be held under the standard rules to elect a chair so as to provide for a chair for the rest of the trimester.
**Rule 46: Expiry of Committees**

All committee chairs and members shall be removed from their committee at the onset of a new trimester.