The Legislative (Articles 7 - 9)

Article 7 - The Senate of Steamhappia

The Senate shall be vested with the Legislative power of the Republic with the Senate composed of Senators elected by the people to represent them in the proceedings of the Republic.

The number of Senators able to be elected and how they are elected shall be determined by law with the initial number of Senate seats being five including the President Pro Tempore.

The Senate operates in bimonthly sessions. At the end of each session all seats are vacated and at the start of each session all newly elected Senators are seated.

Senators are elected prior to each session and serve for the duration of that session.

Should a Senate seat become vacant, a by-election is held and the elected senator serves for the remainder of the session.

Article 8 - Operations of the Senate

Any Senator may introduce legislation as bills to be considered by the Senate and to be passed to the President to be signed as Acts of the Senate should the conditions be met.

The Senate may hold the Executive to account through inquiry and oversight.

The Senate requires a Majority of its members be present to meet a Quorum in order to conduct business.

The Senate can elect a Presiding Officer to chair proceedings in the absence of the President Pro Tempore.

The Senate may set its own standing rules and punish members for disorderly behaviour.

A Senator may be expelled by the Senate with a two-thirds vote.

The Senate may override the President’s Veto with a two-thirds vote automatically passing the bill into law.

Article 9 - Impeachment Procedure

Any Senator can introduce Articles of Impeachment against a President, President Pro Tempore, Justice of the Sovereign Court or Civil Officer provided that there is the support of a Majority of Senators.

A Two-Thirds vote is required to ratify the Articles of Impeachment where the accused is convicted and tried by the Sovereign Court.

Should the Sovereign Court convict the accused they are to be removed from office, should the Sovereign Court not convict the accused the Senate with a four-fifths vote may convict them anyway and remove them from office.