The National Assembly
The National Assembly: Overview
The National Assembly of the Republic of Tinland is the supreme legislative organ of the federal government and is also considered to be the primary organ of the government itself. The National Assembly consists of delegates elected by the people in each State (or appointed by the executive in each Territory) for two-year terms. While Territories only appoint one delegate to the National Assembly, States elect a number of delegates in accordance with their population.
The National Assembly convenes on the second Tuesday in January, every year, but the National Assembly also meets regularly throughout each session for the functions and powers of the National Assembly. However, when the National Assembly is adjourned, the National Assembly selects one of the delegates from each State delegation to serve on a committee, called: The Committee of the Republic.
The National Assembly has the power:
To engage and determine peace and war;
To provide rules and procedures over captures on land or water;
To provide the organization for courts concerning captures on land or water;
To establish rules and procedures for the militias of the several States and Territories;
To enter treaties;
To send and receive ambassadors and embassies;
To regulate commerce and trade between the several States and Territories and between the confederation and any foreign state;
To coin money;
To regulate the money of the Republic of Tinland, including the exchange value;
To organize departments and civil officers;
To enact "necessary and proper laws";
To appropriate money for a budget;
To advise and consent to the appointment of the Chief Justice and the President of the Republic;
To conduct investigations, impeach, and remove officers of the Republic of Tinland;
To admit new States and regulate the Territories;
To regulate a census; and,
To amend the Constitution.
The National Assembly: Organization
The National Assembly of the Republic of Tinland elects its presiding officer, and the chief executive of the Republic of Tinland, otherwise known as the President of the Republic. The President of the Republic is considered to be the head of the executive branch of the federal government, although no executive branch is established within the Constitution. Furthermore, the President of the Republic is the chief ambassador and the head of the government of the confederation. Since the founding of the Republic of Tinland, Anthony Barauskis is to the only person to serve as the President of the Republic.
The agenda, minutes, and general duties of the National Assembly, such as the journal, text of bills, and documents, are under the control and the responsibility of, the clerks employed by the President of the Republic and accepted by the National Assembly. There are currently four clerks in the National Assembly:
The Clerk of the National Assembly;
The Reading Clerk;
The Archives Clerk; and,
The Clerk of the Media.
The National Assembly is divided into committees, which are composed to focus on a certain purpose or function of the National Assembly. Committees play a major important role in the legislative-making process, as being a place where bills that were proposed in the National Assembly are debated by a smaller group of members. There are currently four committees:
The Committee of the Whole;
The Committee on Organization;
The Committee on Foreign Affairs; and,
The Committee of Finance.
Internal Documents of the National Assembly
The Journal of the National Assembly is the official record of the deliberations of the National Assembly. The Constitution of the Republic of Tinland, specifically Section III, Article IV, states "The National Assembly shall keep and, from time to time, publish a journal of its proceedings and the votes of the members on all motions presented...". The Journal of the National Assembly is kept by the Clerk of the National Assembly and is published at the end of every legislative session.
The Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly is the official code of conduct and internal regulations of the National Assembly. The Constitution of the Republic of Tinland, specifically Section II, Article IV, requires that the National Assembly adopts an official set of rules for its procedure. The Rules of Procedure cover the legislative process, the appointment and removal of officers in the National Assembly, and the code of conduct for the delegates in the National Assembly.