Sub-Stewards Decree #470: Large Charter Amendment

[Erik Mortis]

I realize I have no real power as Sub-Steward, Assuming that title still exists. But I figure I can get things moving to decentralize the Empire and improve the state of things.

So... here's a small revisions to the Charter!

IC: I. C. shall change as follows
FROM

Section C: Heir to the Throne.

a. Before the end of zir reign, the Kaiser must pick a successor from among all living individuals eligible by birthright.
b. Should the Kaiser die or abdicate the throne, the Kaisership shall pass to zir successor.
c. Should no heir have been chosen, the successor shall be the closest related living individual eligible by birthright.

TO

Section C: Heir to the Throne.

a. Before the end of zir reign, the Kaiser must pick a successor from among the full citizens of Shireroth.
b. Should the Kaiser die or abdicate the throne, the Kaisership shall pass to zir successor.
c. Should no heir have been chosen, the successor shall be chosen by procedures laid forth in the Lawbook.

IC: II. A Shall be changed as follows

Section A: Powers of the Landsraad.

a. The Landsraad shall be vested, through the good grace of the Kaiser, with legislative powers in Shireroth.
b. The Landsraad may set its own rules for voting percentages and procedures, and internal decorum, without outside interference.
c. The Landsraad may take no action that violates this Charter, the Lawbook, or Imperial Decrees of the Kaiser.
d. Neither the Landsraad, nor any body it creates, has authority or jurisdiction over the Kaiser.
e. All permanent law set down by the Landsraad shall be recorded in the Lawbook. Treaties, resolutions, and other temporary measures passed by the Landsraad need not be recorded in the Lawbook.

TO

Section A: Powers of the Landsraad.

a. The Landsraad shall be vested, through the good grace of the Kaiser, with legislative powers in Shireroth.
b. The Landsraad may set its own rules for membership, voting percentages and procedures, and internal decorum, without outside interference.
c. The Landsraad may take no action that violates this Charter, the Lawbook, or Imperial Decrees of the Kaiser.
d. Neither the Landsraad, nor any body it creates, has authority or jurisdiction over the Kaiser or this Charter.
e. All permanent law set down by the Landsraad shall be recorded in the Lawbook. Treaties, resolutions, and other temporary measures passed by the Landsraad need not be recorded in the Lawbook.
f. Members of the Landsraad may not violate this Charter, Imperial Decrees, Landsraad Procedures, or the Lawbook.

IC: II. C. Shall be removed.

Section C: Members of the Landsraad.

a. The Landsraad shall consist of the Nobles of Shireroth.
b. Nobles may pick their own successor from among those eligible by birthright. Should no heir be available the Kaiser shall appoint the next noble.
c. The Kaiser has the power to create and destroy subdivisions as zie sees fit. The Kaiser has the power to reshape the borders of any subdivision as zie sees fit.
d. The Landsraad may remove a subdivision’s seat from the Landsraad, thereby disbanding the subdivision completely and redefining the lands as necessary.
e. Only Nobles of Shireroth or Emissaries appointed by a noble may speak or vote within the Landsraad. The nobles of the Landsraad may allow non-nobles to speak within the Landsraad under procedures specified by the Landsraad.
f. Nobles of Shireroth may not violate this Charter, Imperial Decrees, Landsraad Procedures, or the Lawbook.

A new IC: II. C. shall be as follows.

Section C: Special Powers of the Landsraad
a. Only the Landsraad has the power to create, destroy and reshape subdivisions.
b. With the consent of the Arbiter, the Landsraad by unanimous vote may remove a Kaiser from the throne of Shireroth.
c. Should a Kaiser be removed in this fashion the normal rules for succession apply.

IC: II. D. a. Shall be changed as follows
FROM

Section D: The Prætor

a. The Prætor of Shireroth may only be elected by the nobility of the Shireroth, from among the full-citizens of the Shireroth. The Prætor does not have to be a Noble of Shireroth. The Kaiser shall manage the election of the Prætor by the Landsraad, and shall act as Prætor of the Landsraad until one is immediately elected.

TO

Section D: The Prætor

a. The Prætor of Shireroth may only be elected by the Landsraad of Shireroth, from among the full-citizens of the Shireroth. The Kaiser shall manage the election of the Prætor by the Landsraad, and shall act as Prætor of the Landsraad until one is immediately elected.

IC: IV. A. shall change as follows
FROM

Section A: Amending The Charter.

a. The Kaiser may make amendments to this Charter at anytime, with the approval of the Prætor and Arbiter. Should there be no Prætor, the Landsraad must immediately elect one. Should there be no Arbiter one must immediately be appointed.
b. This charter may not be abolished, dissolved or revoked.
c. All amendments to this Charter must be documented.

TO

Section A: Amending The Charter.

a. The Kaiser may make amendments to this Charter at anytime, with the approval of the Prætor and Arbiter.
b. The Landsraad may make amendments to this charter by a 2/3rd majority at anytime, with the approval of the Kaiser and the Arbiter.
c. This charter may not be abolished, dissolved or revoked.
d. All amendments to this Charter must be documented.

So.. the run down. This lets the Landsraad be made up of whoever it wants to be. It grants the Landsraad sole power over subdivision borders. It grants the Landsraad the power to remove a Kaiser (not easy), and the power to amend the Charter under similar rules as the Kaiser can. In general I made the government more able to change without needing a charter revision, and thus hopefully opening more options.

I'm not sure if I missed anything, but I figure we need to start somewhere. I have other ideas too, but they might be more drastic.

I await the Kaiser's and Arbiter's approval, hopefully.

[CJ Miller]

You made two subsections II(A)(d).

[Erik Mortis]

Thanks. Fixed.

[Malliki Tosha]

Section A, c-d and f should be removed in my opinion. They are unnecessary and look unprofessional. A, d also contradicts the new section C, b.

[Erik Mortis]

I took the thing out about the Landsraad having no power over the Charter in light of the new amendment bit.

Was this the contradiction you spoke of?

[Malliki Tosha]

"d. Neither the Landsraad, nor any body it creates, has authority or jurisdiction over the Kaiser or this Charter."

This contradicts the amendment that allows the Landsraad to amend the Charter and dismiss the Kaiser.

[CJ Miller]

Then why not

"d. Except as in extraordinary circumstances provided for in the Charter and Imperial Code of Law, neither the Landsraad or any body created thereby can exercise any authority over the Kaiser or the Charter."

[Erik Mortis]

Try this

"d. Except as in extraordinary circumstances provided for in this Charter, neither the Landsraad nor any body created thereby can exercise any authority over the Kaiser or the Charter."

Better? (The Code of law is just the Lawbook, and creates a weird loophole if you keep it in.)

[CJ Miller]

What loophole? :s

[Erik Mortis]

More a paradox really. Giving power with one hand, and denying it with the other.

[Kaiser Ometeotl I]

Any other thoughts on this? Once we get a new Praetor/Arbiter I'm gonna try again with this.