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New Republic Senate
The New Republic Senate is the legislative body of the New Republic, headed by its executive in a unicameral parliamentary system which reforms many of the ills that plagued the Galactic Senate of the Old Republic. Every voting member is popularly elected from a single sector, each sector allowed only one voting member known a a Senator; who are seated based on seniority. In addition, disparate peoples without a homeworld, such as the Caamasi, are also allowed representation following an application process. The only other member of the Senate are Legates, who are non-voting ambassadors of affiliate members who may voice their opinion and concerns on any matter of the Senate.
There are reforms in place to rely less on the Senate as a whole unlike its predecessor. Every bill put forth to the Senate is passed to a relevant Senatorial Council following debate, which votes on whether or not that bill may proceed. Should the Council unanimously vote to approve the legislation, it immediately becomes law, but otherwise requires a simple majority to be allowed onto the floor for a vote. If the Senate votes on a bill a simple majority is needed for passage. Any bill passed by the Councils or the Senate may be vetoed by the Chief of State. Committees act as advisory bodies who provide Senatorial oversight to the Councils and their area of responsibility.
Senate Bodies
Ruling Council - Consisting of the Chief of State and the Council Chairs, the Ruling Council acts as a executive committee of sorts. Any Council Chair may be removed by their majority vote, they must approve any Vote of No Confidence against a Chief of State, and may void any Chief of State's election by unanimous vote of the Council Chairs. An Interim Chief of State may be chosen from among their membership or elected by the Senate as a whole, based on the decision of the Ministry Council.
High Council - Consisting of the Chief of State, Minister of State, Supreme Commander of the Combined Defense Forces of the New Republic, any being who formerly held those positions, as well as the Senators representing the worlds or people who signed the Declaration of the New Republic that are not part of the Advisory Council; they are an advisory body to the Chief of State on diplomatic and military matters, and may advise the Senate as a whole, with all members holding speaking privileges during Senate sessions. They also oversee the New Republic Observers, who ensure the constituent members of the New Republic are following the Common Charter. They sit on the Chief of State's dais during Senate sessions.
Advisory Council - Formed following the Bastion Accords by Ponc Gavrisom, it is an organization of Senators who represent worlds deemed to be the most politically important or to have made major contributions or sacrifices for the New Republic, they are an advisory body to the Chief of State. The Advisory Council decides its own membership, selecting from the Senators. They sit on the Chief of State's dais during Senate sessions.
Defense Council - The Defense Council is responsible for oversight of the Combined Defense Forces of the New Republic and all defense related matters. They have the authority to select and remove the Supreme Commander via unanimous vote.
Ministry Council - The Ministry Council funds and oversees the General Ministry, selecting and removing by popular vote the Minister of State and First Administrator. In the case of the temporary incapacitation of a Chief of State, either by loss of communication, illness, leave of absence, resignation, or Vote of No Confidence, the Ministry Council has the authority to appoint an Acting Chief of State from the Minister of State, former Ministers of State, and former Chiefs of State. In the event that an Acting Chief of State must become an Interim Chief of State, the Ministry Council may chose to keep the Interim Chief of State, allow the Ruling Council to select from its membership, or leave it to an election by the Senate.
Commerce Council - The Commerce Council is charged with regulating commerce throughout New Republic space. They also see to any appropriations legislation not referred to another Council.
Justice Council - The Justice Council approves appointments to the Court of Justice by the Chief of State, and rules on legal charges against members of the Senate, that is whether they should face discipline within the Senate or criminal prosecution, in addition to being referred to on all legislation that is not appropriations and is not sent to another Council. They oversee and advise, but do not have administrative authority, over the legal systems of the members of the New Republic.
Council on Security and Intelligence - The Council on Security and Intelligence, named so to avoid confusion with an Old Republic body, is the only body of the Senate which holds exclusively classified meetings. CSI oversees the threats faced by the New Republic, and unlike other Councils, has a representative from the New Republic Intelligence Service, New Republic Fleet Intelligence, and New Republic Defense Forces on hand to report and advise. The Director of NRI is selected and removed by the Council via unanimous vote.
Science and Technology Council - The Science and Technology Council oversees scientific and education matters, with relevant legislation being referred to them.
Oversight Committee - The Senatorial Oversight Committee is charged with overseeing relations between the New Republic and its members, as well as among the members themselves.
Economics Committee - The Economics Committee sees to the economy of the New Republic, and advises on all appropriations matters.
Military Oversight Committee - A creation of Borsk Fey'lya during his time as Chief of State, which he took the chairmanship of in a controversial move, the Military Oversight oversees the operations of the New Republic Defense Forces, much as he Defense Council does, but without administrative authority. Many see it as contradictory to the Defense Council and in many cases an opposing body.
Trade Council - Composed of Senators, Legates, and business leaders of the New Republic, the Trade Council ensures that trade and commerce is maintained and flows openly, freely, and fairly.
Corruption Panel - Charged with overseeing and reviewing the conduct of members of the Senate, it has no binding authority but can recommend punishment of members to the Senate or send cases to the Judicial Council where warranted.
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