WSFA Spring Congress Legislative Packet 2014

Transcription

1 WSFA Spring Congress Legislative Packet 0 Included in this packet are the selections of the WSFA Congress committee designated for use during the sessions of congress held between January and March 0. The legislation is placed in random order per the decision of the committee. Following the legislation for preliminary sessions is legislation designated for Super Congress. This Super Congress legislation may ONLY be used for Super Congress OR at tournaments where there is no super congress session

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Item Title Author School A A Resolution to Curb the World Arms Trade Ridgefield B A Bill to Restore American Highways Hockinson C A Bill to Abolish the Federal Reserve Gig Harbor D A Resolution to Encourage High Schools to Raise Money by Selling Advertising Space Interlake E A Bill to Ban Public-Sector Trade Unions Newport F A Resolution to Amend the Constitution to Repeal the Seventeenth Amendment Kingston G A Bill to Fund New Small Businesses to Encourage Economic Growth Ridgefield H A Resolution to Disband the NSA Othello I A Bill to Create College Education Systems in Prisons Eastside Catholic J A Bill to Prevent the Issue of No-Knock Warrants Chiawana K A Bill to Close Foreign Military Bases Newport L A Resolution to Ban the Marketing and Sales of E-Cigarettes to Minors Chiawana M A Bill to Eliminate the Debt Ceiling University N A Resolution to Legalize Prostitution Othello O A Resolution to Instate a Mandatory National Service Lake City P Student Loan Debt Discharge Act of 0 Kingston Q A Resolution to Ban Military Tribunals Bear Creek R A Bill to Abolish Mandatory Sentencing for Non-Violent Federal Crimes Gonzaga Prep S A Bill to Require all States to Offer Standardized Tests in Multiple Languages Walla Walla T A Bill to Encourage After School Activities Eisenhower U A Bill to Streamline the Approval Process to Construct Nuclear Plants Snohomish V A Bill to Require a License to Prescribe Psychiatric Medications Lake City W A Bill to Legalize Physician Assisted Suicide for Prisoners in Federal Penitentiaries University AA A Bill to Restore the Homeland WSFA BB A Bill to Open Trade Relations with Iran WSFA CC A Bill to Increase Exploration for Artic Circle for Natural Gas and Oil WSFA DD A Resolution to Revoke the FDA Ban on Blood Donations from Gay Men WSFA EE A Bill to Increase Cybersecurity WSFA

3 A A Resolution to Curb the World Arms Trade RESOLVED, World wide, 0% of civilian casualties in conflicts are caused by small arms; and The United States supplies % of all weapons sold world wide; and The War on Terror has seen the U.S. selling weapons or training in their use to almost 0% of the countries which the Council for a Livable World has identified as harboring terrorists, now, therefore, be it The United States shall work to reduce its sales of arms to unstable regions around the world, and, be it FURTHER RESOLVED, That the United States will work with its allies to create a worldwide standard by which the sale and procurement of arms is regulated. Introduced by Ridgefield High School

4 B A Bill to Restore American Highways 0 SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. The Department of Transportation will be allocated an additional $ billion annually for 0 years in order to restore and expand the American Interstate Highway System, as well as to assist states and local municipalities and counties in repairing damaged roadways and bridges. After 0 years, $ billion shall be allocated annually towards the restoration and upkeep of the American Interstate Highway System for an additional years. A. Restoration shall be defined as any improvement, replacement or expansion of existing roadways and bridges in an attempt to lower congestion, pollution and to increase overall efficiency on said roadways and bridges. B. Expansion shall be defined as the creation of any new Interstates, roadways and bridges in an attempt to lower congestion, pollution and to increase overall efficiency on said roadways and bridges. The implementation of this legislation shall be overseen by the Congressional Budget Committee and the Department of Transportation. This bill shall go into effect beginning in the 0 fiscal year. Introduced by Hockinson High School

5 C A Bill to Abolish the Federal Reserve BE IT ENACTED BY THE STUDENT CONGRESS HERE ASSEMBLED THAT: SECTION. The United States Federal Reserve shall be abolished. SECTION. The Federal Reserve refers to the Federal Reserve System established in on December. SECTION. The law shall be enforced by the United States Treasury, which shall print money and distribute it to the banks. SECTION. This bill shall take effect on January st, 0. SECTION. All laws in conflict with this bill are null and void. Introduced by Gig Harbor High School

6 D A Resolution to Encourage High Schools to Raise Money by Selling Advertising Space High school program funds in the STEM, art, and athletic fields are often deemed insufficient; and The district based system of funding public high schools creates an enormous disparity between schools in affluent districts and schools in impoverished areas; and While not in school, the average American teenager sees over,000 advertisements a day, including advertisements for dangerous substances like alcohol and tobacco; and 0 RESOLVED, Positive marketing has been shown to be effective in curbing dangerous teenage behaviors like illicit drug and alcohol use; now, therefore be it That the Congress here assembled encourage high schools to sell space on school grounds to advertisers advocating positive and healthy teenage behavior; and, be it FURTHER RESOLVED, That the profits from these advertisements be used to fill funding gaps in high school programs Introduced by Interlake High School

7 E A Bill to Ban Public Sector Trade Unions SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. Membership in Public Sector Trade Unions shall be illegal. A Public Sector Trade Union is a union which represents the interests of employees for collective bargaining within the public sector, as in governmentowned, supported or regulated organizations. Federal Department of Labor will oversee the implementation of this legislation. Individuals who do not comply with this legislation will be fined % of their monthly salary. SECTION. This legislation will take effect at the start of fiscal year 0. 0 SECTION. Introduced by Newport High School.

8 F A Resolution to Amend the Constitution to Repeal the Seventeenth Amendment 0 RESOLVED, SECTION : SECTION : The United States Senate was intended to be representative of the interests of the several states; and States interests could be most effectively represented if Senators were elected by the legislatures of the several states; now, therefore, be it By two thirds of the Congress here assembled, that the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states within seven years from the date of its submission by the Congress: ARTICLE The Seventeenth Article of Amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. Introduced By Kingston High School.

9 G A Bill to Fund New Small Businesses to Encourage Economic Growth 0 SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. The United States shall fund the growth of new small businesses with grants of up to $0,000. New small businesses shall be defined as those with a history of sales and/or services of less than five years. New small businesses shall further be defined as those with $0,000 or less in sales and/or services during the previous year. The Small Business Administration shall oversee the implementation and awarding of the grants. A. Each congressional district shall be allotted $,000,000 per annum to fund the growth of small businesses. B. No person or business shall receive more than one grant in any ten year period. SECTION. This legislation shall go into effect on January, 0. SECTION. Introduced by Ridgefield High School

10 H A Resolution to Disband the NSA RESOLVED, It costs ten to twenty billion dollars to annually fund; and Other agencies, such as the TSA and the CIA, are more effective at stopping threats; and Many of their actions may violate the fourth amendment; and It strains relationships with other countries; now, therefore, be it By this Congress assembled that the NSA be formally disbanded Introduced by Othello High School

11 I A Bill to Create College Education Systems in Prisons 0 SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. The federal government shall reinstate inmate eligibility for Pell Grants and create college programs in State and Federal Prisons. A. The funding for these programs in individual prisons shall be determined by the amount of inmates attending or participating in the prison s program. B. A college program shall be defined as a program that allows inmates to earn an associate s degree or above while incarcerated. A. The House Budget Committee shall oversee and direct the implementation of this bill. B. Individual prisons shall determine the implementation of this funding within their programs. This law will take effect within six months of passage. Introduced by Eastside Catholic School

12 J A Bill to Prevent the Issue of No Knock Warrants 0 SECTION. The further issue of no knock warrants by the federal district court judges of the United States of America will cease. SECTION. A no knock warrant shall be defined as a warrant authorizing officers to enter certain premises to execute a warrant without first knocking or otherwise announcing their presence. SECTION. All warrants issued after the date of passage of this bill shall require that the officers involved must first knock and/or announce their presence to the occupants of the premise. SECTION. The U.S. Department of Justice will ensure compliance with this bill. SECTION. After passage, this bill will take effect immediately. SECTION. Introduced by Chiawana High School

13 K A Bill to Close Foreign Military Bases 0 SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. A. All U.S. military personnel will be removed from US military bases located in foreign countries. B. All U.S. bases covered in Section A shall be shut down and the land given back to the respective country. US military bases located in foreign countries is defined as military bases owned and operated by the United States but not located within the borders of the United States or its territories. The US Department of Defense, Joint Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) will oversee the implementation of this bill. This legislation will take effect in accordance with the Joint Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission round scheduled for 0. Introduced by Newport High School.

14 L A Resolution to Ban the Marketing and Sales of E Cigarettes to Minors Current laws in all states ban the sales of cigarettes and tobacco products to minors; and E cigarettes are essentially nicotine delivery products and are as addictive and potentially dangerous as tobacco; and Current marketing is aimed at the teenage consumer with it gummy bear and cookies and creams flavors; and Many health organizations such as the CDC are worried that e cigarettes will become a gateway to smoking cigarettes and tobacco use; and Since % of adults smokers began smoking in their teens; and 0 The FDA has found detectable levels of known carcinogens and toxic chemicals in e cigarettes to which users could potentially be exposed; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, By the Congress here assembled that the marketing and sale of e cigarettes to minors should be banned. Introduced by Chiawana High School

15 M A Bill to Eliminate the Debt Ceiling SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. The Second Liberty Bond Act of and all subsequent congressional legislation which limits the amount of money that may be borrowed on the credit of the United States shall hereby be repealed. Upon passage of this act, there shall be no limitations as to the size or nature of the amount of money which may be borrowed on the credit of the United States. This bill shall be enforced by the US Congress. This bill shall take effect immediately upon passage. Introduced by University High School.

16 N A Resolution to Legalize Prostitution Prostitution is an economically viable option being a $ billion industry in the United States that could earn the government $ billion in taxes and $ billion in licensing; and Legalization of prostitution would bring the profession under regulation; and Prostitution would provide jobs for both men and women; and The laws against prostitution cost the average American city an average of $. million; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, By the Congress here assembled that prostitution be legalized. Introduced by Othello High School

17 O A Resolution to Instate a Mandatory National Service 0 RESOLVED, The United States needs to instill a better sense of civic responsibility in young adults, increase military enlistment and community service nationwide; and The unemployment rate of people aged years is.%; and To help young, unemployed individuals find their purpose and improve the country, a mandate that all American Citizens age are now required to enlist in the military or a suitable charitable service for two years time should be initiated; and This will increase employment for young adults, increase civic responsibility and help provide time for young adults to choose their path for the rest of their lives; now, therefore, be it By the Congress here assembled that a mandatory national service program requiring young adults to participate in two years of military service, or suitable community service replacement be created. Introduced by Lake City High School.

18 P Student Loan Debt Discharge Act of 0 SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. Federal student loan debt shall now become a dischargeable debt when an individual files for chapter seven bankruptcy. Dischargeable debt shall be defined as debts that can be eliminated in bankruptcy proceedings. A. The Department of Education will oversee the implementation of this bill. B. The US Bankruptcy Court will oversee the enforcement of this bill. SECTION. This bill shall take effect on January st, 0. SECTION. Introduced By Kingston High School.

19 Q A Resolution to Ban Military Tribunals 0 RESOLVED, Military tribunals deny soldiers proper due process guaranteed by the Constitution. Soldiers do not have the right to stand before the Supreme Court, do not have the right to both a judge and jury, and do not have the right to unanimous consent from those making a decision; and The United States Government currently relies on an outdated system that only harms our military and makes it harder to administer justice fairly; and Military tribunals have been used to unlawfully try and convict foreign nationals, as well as to unlawfully detain them; and The United States Government has the obligation to provide due process for all of its citizens and to serve as the representation of democracy internationally; now, therefore, be it That the Congress here assembled eliminate the use of military tribunals in the United States Military. Introduced by The Bear Creek School

20 R A Bill to Abolish Mandatory Sentencing for Non Violent Federal Crimes 0 SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. Mandatory sentencing for non violent federal crimes be abolished. Mandatory sentencing being the automatic imposition of a minimum number of years in prison for specific crimes. The Department of Justice will oversee the enforcement of this bill A. The Judges will use now use their discretion and judgment in the sentencing of non violent crimes. B. All those who received a mandatory sentencing of 0 years to life in prison for a non violent crime receive a hearing to discuss their sentencing. This legislation will become effective at the beginning of next month. Introduced by Gonzaga Preparatory School.

21 S A Bill to Require all States to Offer Standardized Tests in Multiple Languages 0 SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. All states are hereby required to offer standardized tests in additional to better accommodate children who read and write better in languages other than English. Standardized tests are defined as tests required by a state for all students and administered or scored in a consistent or standard manner. The Department of Education will oversee the enforcement of this bill. A. Every September, each state will determine the ten languages most commonly spoken among families in that state and translate tests into these languages to be used in the following year. B. Pre screening tests to determine which students need to be tested in a language other than English will be administered by an ESL teacher and will be based upon a nationally accepted assessment. A national committee of educators will determine the content of the pre screening test. C. Funds will be allocated from the Department of Education. SECTION. This bill will take effect on August, 0 SECTION. Introduced by Walla Walla High School

22 T A Bill to Encourage After School Activities 0 SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. Grants will be provided to schools based on the percentage of students that the school has participating in after school and extra curricular activities. After school and extra curricular activities shall be defined as sports and clubs. Sports and clubs shall be defined by the Department of Education. Funding for these grants shall be provided by taxation of % of gross revenue of all professional sport leagues (i.e. The National Basketball Association (NBA), the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), the National Football League (NFL), the Major League Soccer (MLS), etc.). A. The Department of Education shall oversee that schools receive appropriate funding grants for the percentage of student participants. B. Taxation of professional sports shall be enforced and collected by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This bill shall take effect exactly one year after the passage of this piece of legislation. Introduced by Eisenhower High School.

23 U A Bill to Streamline the Approval Process to Construct Nuclear Plants 0 SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. The United States will replace aging nuclear plants and replace greenhouse gas emitting sources as a producer of power. A. The United States shall set a goal of 00 new nuclear plants by the year 00. B. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Department of Energy application for approval process will be streamlined to a period not to exceed two years, provided applicants use designs already approved by those agencies. C. The U.S. government shall raise the guaranteed portion of construction loans from % to 0% The approval process refers to the time period from when the preliminary application is received to the final approval by all involved federal agencies. Guaranteed portion refers to the part of the private loan the U.S. government will repay in the event of private default. The U.S department of Energy will oversee site approval and process streamlining. Loan guarantees are provided by the U.S. Treasury SECTION. This Bill is to be put into effect by January st, 0 SECTION. Introduced by Snohomish High School

24 V A Bill to Require a License to Prescribe Psychiatric Medications 0 SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. Any and all physicians will be required to obtain a separate license to prescribe psychiatric medications. Physicians such as: pediatricians, general doctors, nurse practitioners, etc. will not be able to prescribe any psychiatric medications, for any reason, without first being approved for and obtaining a separate license. Psychiatric medication will be defined as a licensed psychoactive drug taken to exert an effect on the chemical makeup of the brain and nervous system. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will oversee the enforcement of this bill. This bill will go into effect one year after a licensing process is developed. Introduced by Lake City High School.

25 W A Bill to Legalize Physician Assisted Suicide for Prisoners in Federal Penitentiaries 0 SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. American citizens that have been given a life sentence or the death penalty will be given the right to physician assisted suicide. The term physician assisted suicide shall mean that a physician, if requested by a prisoner who is serving a life sentence or awaiting implementation of the death penalty, shall provide said prisoner with all necessary means to allow the applicable prisoner to commit suicide. The Federal Bureau of Prisons will oversee the implementation of this bill. This bill will go into effect immediately upon passage. Introduced by University High School.

26 Super Congress The following legislation is designated Super Congress legislation. It may be used ONLY in Super Congress sessions or at tournaments where there will be no Super Congress Session.

27 AA A Bill to Restore the Homeland 0 SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of (SMCRA) be amended to include more stringent regulations on mining. A. The Abandoned Mine Land (AML) fund tax shall be increased to 0 dollars per ton for surface mined coal, dollars per ton for coal mined underground, and dollars per ton for lignite mined. B. The OFFICE of SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION and ENFORCEMENT (OSMRE) will now inspect operational mines inside the contingent United States times annually to ensure compliance with all aspects of SMCRA. Operations found in serious violation shall be fined an additional % of their projected reclamation plan cost. Serious violation remains as defined under current OSMRE standards. The OSMRE, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Department of the Treasury will oversee the implementation of this bill. A. The OSMRE will receive an additional billion dollars annually to help oversee inspection. SECTION. This bill will take effect January st, 0. SECTION. Introduced by WSFA

28 BB A Bill to Open Trade Relations with Iran SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. The United States shall end all trade sanctions, embargos, or other serious international economic restrictions on Iran. A small tariff will be placed on all imported economic goods from Iran. This tariff will be determined by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. The primary government agency that will oversee the enforcement of this bill is the U.S. Department of State. SECTION. This bill shall go into effect January, 0. SECTION. Introduced by WSFA

29 CC A Bill to Increase Exploration for Artic Circle for Natural Gas and Oil 0 SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. Icebreakers and research teams will be sent to find undiscovered natural gas and oil in the Arctic Sea, specifically around Arctic Alaska and Amerasia Basin. The Department of Energy will oversee the implementation of this legislation. A. The North American side of the Arctic sea holds about % of the 0 billion barrels of undiscovered Arctic oil, 0 billion of which are in the Arctic Alaska, along with % of the, trillion cubic feet of gas, and billion barrels of natural gas. B. Furthermore, research groups will be created to begin plans to extract the oil and natural gas from the Arctic. This legislation will come in effect a year from which it is passed. Introduced by WSFA

30 DD A Resolution to Revoke the FDA Ban on Blood Donations from Gay Men 0 RESOLVED, The Federal Drug Administration currently prohibits homosexual men from donating blood; and The nation is facing a critical shortage of blood; and Men who have had sex with other men have not been able to donate blood in the past thirty years due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 0 s; and Current medical regulations require test screenings for HIV/AIDS, which prevents these diseases from being transferred from donor to patient; and This ban is outdated and discriminatory against gay men; and The American Medical Association has stated its opposition to the ban; now, therefore, be it That the Congress here assembled revoke this ban and allow homosexual men to donate blood and allow that their blood be used to save lives and restore health. Introduced by WSFA

31 EE A Bill to Increase Cybersecurity 0 SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. SECTION. Congress will appropriate 0 billion dollars for the full implementation of the Comprehensive Homeland Security Presidential Directive, The Comprehensive National Cyber Security Initiative. Cyberspace is defined as the uses of the internet, networking, and digital communication. Presidential Directive is a twelve step plan for securing the safety of our cyber infrastructure. The Department of Homeland Security in cooperation with the National Security Agency will oversee the implementation of these improvements. This appropriation shall be made on January, 0. A target date for completion of the twelve steps is January, 00. Introduced by WSFA

32 Table of Frequently Used Parliamentary Motions Required Type Motion Purpose Vote. Fix time for reassembling To arrange time of next meeting Yes Yes-T Yes-T Majority Yes. Adjourn To dismiss the meeting Yes No Yes-T Majority No Second Required? Debatable? Amendable? May Interrupt? Privileged Incidental. Recess To dismiss the meeting for a Yes Yes Yes-T Majority No specific length of time. Rise to a question of privilege To make a personal request No No No Decision of Yes during debate the Chair 0. Call for orders of the day To force consideration of a postponed motion No No No Decision of the Chair Yes. Appeal a decision of the chair To reverse a decision Yes No No Majority Yes. Rise to a point of order or To correct a parliamentary error No No No Decision of Yes parliamentary procedure or ask a question the Chair. Division of the chamber To verify a voice vote No No No Decision of Yes the Chair. Object to the consideration To suppress action No No No / Yes of a question. Divide a motion To consider its parts separately Yes No Yes Majority No. Leave to modify or To modify or withdraw a motion No No No Majority No withdraw a motion. Suspend the rules To take action contrary to standing rules Yes No No / No. Rescind To repeal previous action Yes Yes Yes / No. Reconsider To consider a defeated motion Yes Yes No Majority No again 0. Take from the table To consider tabled motion Yes No No Majority No. Lay on the table To defer action Yes No No Majority No. Previous question To force an immediate vote Yes No No / No Subsidiary. Limit or extend debate To modify freedom of debate Yes Yes Yes-T / No. Postpone to a certain time To defer action Yes Yes Yes Majority Yes. Refer to a committee * For further study Yes Yes Yes Majority Yes. Amend an amendment To modify an amendment / Yes No Majority No. Amend To modify a motion / Yes Yes Majority No. Postpone indefinitely To suppress action Yes Yes No Majority No Main. Main motion To introduce a business Yes Yes Yes Majority No * No. should include: Nos. and by:. How appointed T = Time. Adding (inserting). The number. Striking (deleting). Report when or to what standing committee. Substituting