The National Assembly, officially the National Assembly of the Republic of Tinland, or "The National Assembly of the Republic of Tinland, in representing the Commonwealth of Hawa, the State of Sumiaya, the State of Dolora, the State of New Port, the Northwest Territory, the Crownburg, and the Erkon Territory", is the federal legislative authority of the Republic of Tinland. Like many other legislatures, it is a unicameral legislature, consisting of one chamber. The National Assembly is the primary organ of the government of the Republic of Tinland.

History

Constitutional Convention (2019 - 2020)

Before the Constitution of 2020 had been adopted, there was no official legislature running the Republic of Tinland. For about two months, the idea of an independent state was proclaimed but no work was being done to form a government. However, on 14th day of December in 2019, Anthony Barauskis had called a constitutional convention for the adoption of a constitution. The constitutional convention - though worked on creating a government for the new micronation - held no official power, neither did any State due to the lack of the constitution's for laws to be enacted from. The first "constitution" was proposed by Anthony Barauskis, which was given the name of "Articles of Freedom and Union" - a name with inspiration from the Articles of Confederation, the United States' first constitution.

During the debate over the Articles of Freedom and Union, the constitutional convention had unanimously agreed to "Proclamation of Independence for the Republic of Tinland", the declaration of independence for the Republic of Tinland, on the 15th of January, but independence would not officially come until five days later. The first legitimate draft of the Constitution of the Republic of Tinland came just days later, which proposed a central legislature: The Legislature of the Republic of Tinland. The name would than become the National Assembly.

The First Constitution and Second Constitutional Convention (2020 - 2022)

When the first Constitution was adopted, the central government was only vested in one organ: The National Assembly. Much like the Articles of Confederation, the executive, legislative, and judicial powers were vested in the National Assembly, but unlike other constitutions or governments were only one organ or body held all power, the central government was severely weakened, for many reasons but mainly that laws and a majority of decisions required unanimous consent and the lack of an amendment procedure, continuously brought problems for the country to make much progress.

The constitution laid out all possible powers and duties that the National Assembly. The powers of the National Assembly had what was considered "powers to not disrupt the relationship of the confederation", the powers of the National Assembly included declaring peace and war, signing treaties, coining money, establishing a treasury and postal service, amongst other things. Furthermore, the National Assembly had the authority to compose a "Committee of the Republic", which was similar to the National Assembly, but only met during the adjournment of the National Assembly.

After over a year of under-performing governance, and nearly two months of no bills being introduced or enacted, on October 8, 2021, the National Assembly had enacted a resolution calling for a constitutional convention to revise the constitution. The measure was meet with criticism over the legitimacy of whether the National Assembly was able to revise or replace the constitution. Despite the criticism, the constitutional convention had officially began to meet over a new constitution. One part of the major discussions was over the "composition, organization, and relation of the National Assembly". Two plans were proposed over what the national legislature should look like.

The first plan was drawn up by the delegation of the State of Dolora. It was have kept the powers and authority of the National Assembly, but got rid of the Committee of the Republic and changed the Presidency to a rotating position with little purpose. The second plan, drawn up by the Commonwealth of Hawa, would provided a republican form of central government. The National Assembly would have kept all powers under the previous constitution, except the power to handle disputes between the States and Territories, but also included powers to collect taxes and annex new territory.

The final draft was proposed by the general committee on December 16, 2021, and the draft was adopted by the constitutional convention on January 4, 2022. Fifteen days later, on January 19, 2022, all States officially adopted the new Constitution of the Republic of Tinland, and thus, the new National Assembly.

Powers

Constitutional-Ordained Powers

The Constitution of the Republic of Tinland lays out the powers granted to the National Assembly. Article 6 of the Constitution of the Republic of Tinland provides the majority of the powers of the National Assembly, but Article 7, Article 8, Article 13, Article 15, Article 16, and 17 also holds provisions (or clauses) that deal with powers held by the National Assembly.

Enumerated Powers

The powers of the National Assembly are as follows:

To engage and declare war and peace;
To provides rules and procedures for courts for pirates and captures on land or water;
To provide punishments for pirates and captures on land or water;
To organize general procedures for the militias of each State and Territory;
To enter into treaties;
To receive and send ambassadors and embassies;
To determine and regulate commerce and trade between the States and Territories, and the confederation and foreign states;
To coin and regulate the currency of the Republic of Tinland, including establishing mints and prints;
To establish civil departments and officers, including creating a common treasury and postal service;
To create "necessary and proper" laws;
To create a budget;
To conduct investigations and impeach or remove officers;
To create laws concerning the Territories of the Republic of Tinland;
To provide compensation for all officers of the confederation and an oath of office;
To create procedures for a census; and,
To collect and lay taxes;

Amending Powers

The Constitution of the Republic of Tinland gives the National Assembly the power to amend the Constitution, which states:

"The National Assembly, whenever three-fourths of the members therein may deem it necessary, or upon the application of three-fourths of the respected legislature in each of the several States, shall call forth a convention for the proposal of an amendment to the Constitution of the Republic of Tinland;..." (Article 20, the Constitution of the Republic of Tinland).

As stated by the first clause of the twentieth article of the Constitution of the Republic of Tinland, either the National Assembly or three-fourths of the State Legislatures can propose an amendment to the Constitution of the Republic of Tinland. Once three-fourths of the National Assembly agrees to an amendment if the State Legislatures may propose an amendment, or the State Legislature if the National Assembly may propose an amendment, a convention is convened to discuss the amendment. Once all members of the convention accept the amendment, the amendment should be given to either and accepted by three-fourths of the members of the National Assembly or of State of Legislatures for approval, once the necessary votes are given, the amendment is adopted.

Elections and Sessions

Article 3 and Article 5 of the Constitution of the Republic of Tinland provides for the elections and sessions of the members of the National Assembly.

Elections

According to Article 3, Section 1 of the Constitution of the Republic of Tinland, elections for the members (officially "delegates") takes place on the "[…] on the second Wednesday in September in the year of two thousand and twenty-two, and every second year thereafter." Like other legislatures and also other civil officers of the Republic of Tinland, there is no term limits. Article 3 also provides for qualifications and organization of the National Assembly. However, the executive authority of each Territory appoints their member, by the consent of the legislature.

Qualifications

The Constitution of the Republic of Tinland lays out the qualifications for the members of the National Assembly, the Constitution states:

"No person shall serve as a delegate of the National Assembly, except if they are a citizen of the State or Territory which they are elected, for at least one year, and been a resident for the district that they are to represent for at least six months" (Article 3, Section 4, the Constitution of the Republic of Tinland).

Organization of the National Assembly

The organization of the National Assembly, is similar to that of the United States House of Representatives. The States of the Republic of Tinland have representatives based on population. The Commonwealth of Hawa has six delegates, the State of Sumiaya has four, the State of Dolora has five, and the State of New Port has two. However, the Territories of the confederation are only granted one delegate, regardless of population.

Sessions

Article 5 of the Constitution of the Republic of Tinland focuses on the sessions of the National Assembly. Sessions of the National Assembly begin on second Tuesday in January, every year, and the Constitution requires that the members of the National Assembly must meet at least once a month and regular meetings require a majority of members to be present. Article 5, Section 2 gives the National Assembly the power to adjourn during the session, furthermore, the National Assembly can appoint one delegate from each State's delegate to serve on an adjournment committee called: "The Committee of the Republic". The Committee of the Republic has the same powers as the National Assembly, except for the powers of war or foreign affairs.

Officers and Committees

The President of the Republic

The President of the Republic is the presiding officer of the National Assembly. When acting as the presiding officer of the National Assembly, the President of the Republic does not have any vote, unless the National Assembly is equally divided, the President of the Republic has holds similar powers to that the presiding officer of other legislatures in other countries, including the power to appoint civil officers of the Republic of Tinland. The President of the Republic is also the chief executive officer of the Republic of Tinland, thus giving them chief ambassador and head administrator.

Clerks

There are four clerks of the National Assembly, they are:

The Clerk of the National Assembly: The Clerk of the National Assembly oversees the other clerks and handles the voting process and providing members with all needed equipment and documents.
The Reading Clerk: The Reading Clerk has one main role, which is to read all bills, motions, resolutions, and papers before the National Assembly.
The Archives Clerk: The Archives Clerk records the meetings of the National Assembly, through the journal of the National Assembly, and takes care of the archives of the National Assembly.
The Clerk of the Media: The Clerk of the Media controls all media controlled by the federal government of the Republic of Tinland, including all social media accounts and websites.

Committees

The National Assembly is divided into committees. Committees play an important role in the legislative-making process, where bills are presented after being introduced into the National Assembly itself. There are currently four committees to be organized:

The Committee on Finance
The Committee of the Whole
The Committee on Organization
The Committee on Foreign Relations

Legislation

As the legislature, the National Assembly has the power to enact legislation. The power to legislate comes from Article 7 of the Constitution of the Republic of Tinland, which reads:

"The National Assembly shall have the power to create such necessary and proper laws concerning the jurisdiction of the confederation, or the powers of the said departments or civil officers, or of the general welfare or common defense or affairs of the confederation; […]"

The Legislative Process

Article 7 of the Constitution of the Republic of Tinland provides a process for how bills become law. First a delegate proposes a summary of the bill to the floor of the National Assembly, which is read by the Reading Clerk. Then if a majority of members agree to the summary, the summary to sent an appropriate committee for drafting. The committee reviews the summary and begins to work a draft version, whereby each provision is drafted and approved. Once the draft is finalized, the members within the committee debate the draft and if a majority approves, it leaves committee to the floor of the National Assembly. However, if the committee does not accept the draft, and a motion to reconsider is also struck down, then the bill is "die". Besides that, once the bill is presented to the floor of the National Assembly, the Reading clerk should read the entire bill and the National Assembly had three days (which may be extended) to debate over the contents of the bill. Then the National Assembly must vote on the bill. If two-thirds of the members accept, then the bill will become law once the President of the Republic signs the bill, while if the bill fails to get two-thirds support, then the bill can die. Motions for amendments to the bill and to present back to committee may be presented but requires two-thirds of the members to accept.

Enacting Style

All bills and resolutions have an enacting style, which comes before the contents of that bill or resolution:

Enacting style for bills:

"BE ENACTED BY THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF TINLAND,"

Enacting style for resolutions:

"BE RESOLVED BY THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF TINLAND,"

Code of Statutes and Code of Resolutions

The National Assembly has an freedom of information policy, whereby all bills, laws, resolutions, and orders before the National Assembly must be released to the public. Due to this policy, the National Assembly created two code books: The Code of Statutes and the Code of Resolutions.

The Code of Statutes has all compiled laws (or statutes) enacted by the National Assembly. It divides the laws into Volumes, which are two years of legislation, furthermore, each Volume is divided into chapters, which are individual laws. The Code of Resolutions is not divided into volumes, but by chapters, which is one resolution. Both the Code of Statutes and the Code of Resolutions are found on the website of the Republic of Tinland.

National Assembly (Tinland)

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