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title: Standing Rules of the Imperial Legislature of the Rhine

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#    Standing Rules of the Imperial Legislature of the Rhine

### RULE I — THE VORSITZENDER
1. The Vice Chairman or Chairman of the State Legislature (Chair of the State Legislature) shall be the Vorsitzender (presiding officer). When the presiding officer is absent, the Vorsitzender Pro Tempore shall take this place. Only the Vorsitzender shall have the power to break ties; that authority shall not be given to the Vorsitzender Pro Tempore. The Vorsitzender Pro Tempore, if acting as the Vorsitzender, shall not be required to vote but may choose to do so.
~~2. The Legislators shall at the beginning of the Legislature, and for any vacancy, elect a legislator to be the Vorsitzender Pro Tempore. The Legislators may, by resolution, remove the Vorsitzender Pro Tempore provided that there is a just reason for it.~~
3. The Voritzender shall control the proceedings of the Legislature, ensure these rules are upheld, and maintain order and attendance of the Legislators.

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### RULE II - JOURNAL OF RECORD AND LEGISLATURE STAFF
1. The Journal of Record shall contain:
    a) date and time of sessions convening and dispersing;
    b) register of present members;
    c) motions;
    d) orders of the Vorsitzender;
    e) votes;
    f) messages between the Legislature and other branches of the Government.
2. The Journal shall not contain transcripts of speeches by members and specific orations that are irrelevant to the record.
    a) May be overridden by the Vorsitzender or the Chancellery of the Imperial Government.
3. The Chair of the State Legislature shall appoint, at the beginning of every Legislature, a Chief Clerk and any additional clerks the chair deems necessary. The Chair of the State Legislature may remove a clerk at any time.
4. The Chair of the State Legislature, after a resolution of the Legislature, may appoint a Sicherheitschef (Chief of Security).


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### RULE III - SESSIONS AND QUORUM
1. The quorum requirement for normal business shall be 1⁄2 of membership.
2. The membership shall convene in regular sessions at least once every month, as prescribed by the Chancellery of the Imperial Government (Vice Chancellor and Chancellor of the Imperial Government).
3. Special sessions shall be convened by the Chancellery of the Imperial Government or by 1⁄2 of the Legislature membership. During special sessions convened by the Chancellery of the Imperial Government, the legislature shall be confined to discuss:
    a) subjects designated in the calling of an emergency session;
    b) subjects presented by the Chair;
    c) the reconsideration of bills vetoed by the Chair.
4. Emergency Sessions that are convened by 1⁄2 of membership shall not be limited in discussion.
5. The membership, when wishing to perform an override of a veto or an impeachment, shall require a presence of 2⁄3 of the membership in attendance.
6. If the membership, when convened, does not meet Quorum then the only motion that shall be available is to compel the attendance of absent members.


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### RULE IV - ORDER OF BUSINESS

1. At the beginning of the Legislature, the first item of business shall be taking the oath. The second item of business shall be to ratify the standing rules. The third item of business shall be to elect the Vorsitzender Pro Tempore from the sworn-in members. The fourth item of business shall be to appoint the members to the standing committees.
2. During regular business:
    a) attendance shall be called and the register of the members taken;
    b) priority shall be given to unfinished business left at the end of the previous session;
    c) members shall then listen to any members, hear committee reports, and then proceed to hear bills that have been tabled. The Vorsitzender or the Clerk shall read out the title unless it is motioned that the entire text of the bill is to be read;
    d) the Vorsitzender shall then entertain any other petitions or motions from the floor after which, the Orders of the Day will then be created in the order that they were introduced. No motions placed on the Orders of the Day shall be removed without its regular course;
    e) sessions will close when adjournment is made solely from the floor of the Legislature.
    
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### RULE V - RULES OF DEBATE

1. When a member desires to speak, at any time during the session, they shall rise and address the Vorsitzender (Mr/Madam Presiding Officer)/(Mr/Madam Vorsitzender), and will not proceed with the request until recognised by the Vorsitzender. Once they begin speaking, the Legislator will not be forcefully required to yield the floor unless the Legislature shall call the questions. Only one member may hold the floor unless authorised by a special motion by the Legislature.
2. Every member speaking shall avoid personalities, they shall sit down when finished. No member shall speak out of their place without leave from the Vorsitzender.
3. When two or more members rise at the same time, the Vorsitzender shall name the member entitled to the floor.
4. Members repeatedly in violation of any of the rules of the Legislature shall be called to order by the Vorsitzender, and order the member to take their seat.
5. A member called to order shall lose the right to speak on the pending motion, but shall not be barred from voting.
6. A member called to order shall remain seated until the Legislature begins consideration of another motion or unless the presiding officer returns the rights of the member to the floor.
7. If a member called to order refuses to immediately take their seat, the Vorsitzender shall name that member, who shall be escorted from the chamber by the Sicherheitschef.
8. A member having been named shall not be allowed to resume their seat until the Vorsitzender returns the member their rights to attend the session, or a new session has begun.
9. If, after a member is seated or named, the action of the Vorsitzender is appealed, the Legislature shall decide the case by a majority vote of the present members; if there is no immediate appeal, the decision of the Vorsitzender shall be conclusive.
10. No member may interrupt another except:
    a) in compliance with the motions in order;
    b) to doubt the presence of a quorum;
    c) to ask the person speaking to yield.
11. No member shall speak more than once on a question unless all other members have been afforded that chance.
12. No member shall occupy more than five minutes at a time while speaking where debate is unlimited.
13. All members shall be courteous, avoid personal attacks, avoid digressions and shall direct their remarks to the Vorsitzender.

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### RULE VI - MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE
1. A member that loses citizenship shall lose their seat in the Legislature. Any member that commits a felony while in office is subject to expulsion proceedings to be brought up.
2. Whenever a vacancy shall occur in the Legislature, the Chair of the State Legislature shall certify such to the Chancellery of the Imperial Government. The Chancellery of the Imperial Government shall fill the vacancy by appointment and the Vorsitzender shall swear the member in.
3. Members are not subject to civil process and are privileged from arrest, except for felony or breach of peace, while attending a session.
4. The Legislature shall elect a Vorsitzender Pro Tempore by simple majority vote of the whole Legislature. The Legislature may remove a sitting Vorsitzender Pro Tempore by a 3⁄4 vote of the whole Legislature, but will be required to nominate a replacement at the earliest convenience.
5. The Legislature may expel or temporarily suspend other members with a 3⁄4 majority vote due to the member's inactivity, lack of responsibility, or general disobedience.
6. Should a Senator be in jeopardy of being expelled for not attending any session in person for a period of thirty days, a motion may be made to block the automatic expulsion. Should a majority of the Legislature vote to block the automatic expulsion, it shall be considered blocked.

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### RULE VII - MOTIONS IN ORDER
1. Motions will only be entertained when the Vorsitzender deems it to be suitable; the exception being points of order and legislative procedure. Only motions that allow members to interrupt the Vorsitzender may allow members to speak without being recognised by the Vorsitzender.
2. Motions may only be made by the member after being recognised by the Vorsitzender. If the motion requires a sufficient second, the Vorsitzender shall go out for them. If a sufficient second is not achieved as required, the motion shall fail automatically.
3. The Vorsitzender, after the motion is seconded, shall seek any opposition. If none are heard, the motion is granted automatically. If a member objects, they shall briefly state why. A motion may only be refused by the Vorsitzender if it breaks one of these rules.
4. If opposition is made, the Vorsitzender may make time for debate or may call the motion for a vote. The result shall be stated with either of the following: "The motion is adopted" or "The motion is defeated."
5. The following motions are in order:

| Motion                                                            | Type of Motion | Second? | Debatable? | Voting Procedure | Can interrupt Vorsitzender? |
| :-----------------------------------------------------------------: |:--------------:|:-------:|:----------:|:----------------:|:---------------------------:|
| Adjourn with fix time -- To arrange a time for the next session |   Privileged   |   Yes   |    Yes     | Simple majority  |             No              |
| Adjourn sine die -- To dismiss the session without an assigned time, subject to the call of the Vorsitzender. | Privileged | Yes | Yes | Simple majority | No |
| Recess -- To start a short intermission of the session; motion must contain the length of time. | Privileged | Yes | No | Simple majority | No |
| Rise to a question of privilege -- To make a personal request. | Privileged | No | No | Decision of the Chair | Yes |
| Call for orders of the day -- To force the Legislature to conform to its agenda or orders of business. | Privileged | No | No | One member, requires 2⁄3 to overrule | Yes |
| Appeal a decision of the Chair -- To reverse a decision by the Chair. | Incidental | Yes | Yes, on the merits | Simple majority | Yes |
| Rise to a point of order -- To challenge for violation of the rules. | Incidental | No | No, unless appealed | Decision of the Chair | Yes | 
| Roll coll vote -- To verify a vote. | Incidental | No | No | Decision of the Chair | Yes |
| Object to consideration of a question -- To suppress action. | Incidental | Yes | Yes | 2⁄3 majority | Yes |
| Divide a motion -- To consider parts of a motion seperately | Incidental | Yes | No | Simple majority or decision of the member | No |
| Leave to modify or withdraw a motion -- To modify or withdraw a motion | Incidental | No | No | Simple majority | No |
| Suspend the rules -- To take action contrary to the Standing Rules; must include the individual rule. | Incidental | Yes | Yes | 2⁄3 majority | No |
| Rescind -- To repeal previous action. | Bring a question again | Yes | Yes | 2⁄3 majority | No |
| Reconsider -- To consider a defeated motion again | Bring a question again | Yes | Yes | Simple majority | No |
| Take from the table -- To consider a tabled motion | Bring a question again | Yes | No | Simple majority | No |
| Lay on the table -- To defer action | Subsidiary motion | Yes | No | Simple majority | No |
| Previous question / Invoke Cloture -- To force an immediate vote on a Main Motion or Subsidiary Motion; ends debate. | Subsidiary motion | Yes | No | 2⁄3 majority | Yes |
| Refer to a Committee -- Refer to a Committee for further scrutiny or study | Subsidiary motion | Yes | Yes | Simple majority | No |
| Amend - To modify a Main Motion | Subsidiary motion | 1⁄3 of members | Yes | Simple majority | No |
| Discharge from Committee -- To remove from the Committee | Main motion | Yes | Yes | 2⁄3 majority | No  |
| Proceed -- To introduce business to the floor (Question for debate, Bill, Resolution, Impeachment, etc.) | Main motion | Yes | Yes | Simple majority | No |

6. Other motions not mentioned here may be accepted by the discretion of the Vorsitzender and will require a second and a 2⁄3 vote to pass.
7. In the event no clerk is present, the Legislature may vote to continue or start a session in the absence of a clerk providing the session is being recorded with two thirds of the membership in favour.

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### RULE VIII - IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS
1. Whenever a member shall propose articles of impeachment against the Chair of the State Legislature, or other members of the Legislature, it shall be referred to the Committee on Government Oversight. Unless discharged by the Legislature, the Committee on Government Oversight shall vote to send it to the Legislature either favourable or unfavourably. The articles of impeachment shall list fully the basis for the proceeding.
2. Whenever a member shall propose articles of impeachment against members of the Judiciary, it shall be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Unless discharged by the Legislature, the Committee on the Judiciary shall vote to send it to the Legislature either favourably or unfavourably. The articles of impeachment shall list fully the basis for the proceeding.
3. Whenever the committee reports the articles of impeachment, the Legislature may vote; it shall require a majority to validate the impeachment.
4. Following a majority in favour of impeachment, the impeachment shall be referred by the Vorsitzender to the Chancellery of the Imperial Government. The Legislature shall then appoint an impeachment manager, which may be any Legislator or member of the Imperial Government who is not involved directly with the subject being impeached.

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### RULE IX - INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
1. All members wishing to introduce a bill to the floor through a motion must publish the draft bill at least 24 hours before the motion is made.
2. Repealing a hence signed piece of legislation shall require a simple majority of members as a collective in favour of such motion.
3. Overriding the Chair of the State Legislature's veto of passed legislation shall require all of the members present in favour of such motion.
4. All Bills will be given the chance to have amendments or amendments of amendments, scrutinised by the floor in one straight reading of the bill.
5. The Vorsitzender or clerk will update when a Bill has gone through its straight reading in the respective channel in the Legislative Discord, and mark any amendments made to the bill in red font. Any removed or edited text must be struck out and must be in red font.
6. The Vorsitzender or clerk shall update the Trello whenever a Bill has been introduced and shall put the bill under the respective list within the Trello.
7. The Vorsitzender, Vorsitzender Pro Tempore, or clerk will appoint bills their number and fill out any dates, numbers, or names which the template has marked in red.
8. In the instance that a Legislator has planned absence but wishes to vote on a bill planned to be brought to the floor, they may notify the Vorsitzender to accept their vote in proxy.

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### RULE X - VOTING
1. The Vorsitzender shall declare the result of all voted motions in the session; but shall any member doubt a vote, the Vorsitzender shall order the Clerk to produce a roll call.
2. All votes shall be taken by voice vote unless requested by any member or by the Vorsitzender, in which the Vorsitzender shall roll call the motion.
3. Any member shall require permission from the Vorsitzender to abstain from voting on any question or motion.
4. A member, having been away from their keyboard, shall be marked as abstained by the clerk; however, following their return to their keyboard, shall be required to change their vote.
5. The clerk or Vorsitzender shall report at the conclusion of any vote the outcome along with the vote breakdown, in the format of ayes-nays-abstentions.
6. When a question has been decided by the Legislature, any member voting with the prevailing side or who has not voted may, on the same day or during the next session thereafter, move for reconsideration. If the Legislature shall refuse to reconsider such a motion entered, or if such a motion is withdrawn by leave of the Legislature, or if upon reconsideration the Legislature shall affirm its first decision, no further motion to reconsider shall be in order. Every motion to reconsider shall be decided by a majority vote.

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### RULE XI - COMMITTEES
1. Standing committees shall consist of no more than five legislators, elected through legislative resolution or motion.
2. The following standing committees shall have members appointed to it at the commencement of each term of legislature, and shall have jurisdiction over the following subjects:
    a) Committee on Government Oversight — impeachment proceedings on any government official, misconduct by the executive or legislative branch, expulsions hearings, disciplinary action towards legislators, investigation of ethics violations by legislators, management of executive or legislative operations, audits of the executive or legislative branch, and maintenance of transparency between the public and the executive branch;
    b) Committee on the Judiciary — judicial proceedings, judges, justices, criminal penalties, civil liberties, and the judiciary and its operations in general;
    c) Committee on Public Safety and Law Enforcement — law enforcement, and public safety in general;
    d) Committee on Economics and Employment — employment regulations, employer regulations, business regulations, employee rights, employer rights, certifications, budgets, and anything pertaining to employees and/or employers.
3. The Vorsitzender or Clerk of the Legislature shall be responsible for appropriately referring legislation or nominations to a committee upon introduction, as applicable.
4. Members may not be on any more than two committees at a given time. Members may not serve as Chairperson of more than one committee.
5. All standing committees shall have the power to:
    a) issue a subpoena to testify in front of the given Committee;
    b) discuss bills passed to them by the Legislature;
    c) pass resolutions or reports;
    d) introduce bills to the Legislature.
6. Committees may meet separately to normal sessions, so long as the Journal of Record is maintained by either the Clerk of the Legislature or Clerk dedicated to the Committee.
7. Standing committees shall be granted authority to create their own standing rules but within the framing of the existing Standing Rules of the Imperial Legislature.
8. The members of each committee shall elect a chairperson amongst themselves.

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### RULE XII - THE CHANCELLERY OF THE IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT
1. The Chancellery of the Imperial Government may:
    a) participate in debate;
    b) present Legislative resolutions as well as other Legislature-only documents;
    c) cast votes on Legislative resolutions, and other Legislature-only documents.
2. The Chancellery of the Imperial Government may act on their own accord unless:
    a) mandated otherwise by the Imperial Throne.
3. The Chancellery of the Imperial Government may appoint members to the Supreme Privy Council who will serve as advisors to the Chair. In addition to this, the Chancellery of the Imperial Government will be required to appoint a Principal Private Secretary who will serve the Imperial Government and aid with its operations directly under the Chair itself.

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### RULE XIII - THE PRINCIPAL PRIVATE SECRETARY
1. The Principal Private Secretary may:
    a) give input and advice to all aspects of the Imperial Government;
    b) act on behalf of the Chancellery of the Imperial Government when approved;
    c) participate in debate;
    d) present Legislative resolutions as well as other Legislature-only documents;
    e) cast votes on Legislative resolutions, and other Legislature-only documents.

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### RULE XIV - THE SUPREME PRIVY COUNCIL
1. The Supreme Privy Council may:
    a) give input and advice to all aspects of the Imperial Government;
    b) act on behalf of the Chancellery of the Imperial Government when approved;
    c) act on behalf of the Principal Private Secretary when approved;
    d) participate in debate;
    e) present Legislative resolutions as well as other Legislature-only documents;
    f) cast votes on Legislative resolutions, and other Legislature-only documents.
    
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### RULE XV - AMENDMENTS TO THESE RULES
1. Any proposal to amend the rules shall be done in writing and sent to the Vorsitzender or Vorsitzender Pro Tempore. No motion to amend these rules shall be in order unless by one day's notice. No amendment shall take effect unless 3⁄4 of the whole Legislature be in agreement.
2. Any amendments made by the Chancellery of the Imperial Government are final.