Senate session - Revision history

Matt: Text replacement - "Conclave" to "Conclave"

2026-01-16T09:37:10Z

Text replacement - "Conclave" to "Conclave"

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:37, 16 January 2026
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	==Overview==		==Overview==
	Like the [[~~Conclave\|~~Conclave]] and the [[Military Council]], the [[Senate]] conducts its official business at formal sessions, where matters are discussed and votes are cast. Although members of the Senate meet to discuss business throughout the day (the [[Speaker for the Senate]] encourages all members to discuss Senate in advance of the session), the sessions are the best chance to address the entire Senate and the only time that motions can be raised and voted upon.		Like the [[Conclave]] and the [[Military Council]], the [[Senate]] conducts its official business at formal sessions, where matters are discussed and votes are cast. Although members of the Senate meet to discuss business throughout the day (the [[Speaker for the Senate]] encourages all members to discuss Senate in advance of the session), the sessions are the best chance to address the entire Senate and the only time that motions can be raised and voted upon.

	Traditionally, the Senate aims to have two sessions each full day of an Imperial summit and one session each half-day.		Traditionally, the Senate aims to have two sessions each full day of an Imperial summit and one session each half-day.

Matt: Text replacement - "Military Council" to "Military Council"

2026-01-16T09:33:36Z

Text replacement - "Military Council" to "Military Council"

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:33, 16 January 2026
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	==Overview==		==Overview==
	Like the [[Conclave\|Conclave]] and the [[~~Military Council\|~~Military Council]], the [[Senate]] conducts its official business at formal sessions, where matters are discussed and votes are cast. Although members of the Senate meet to discuss business throughout the day (the [[Speaker for the Senate]] encourages all members to discuss Senate in advance of the session), the sessions are the best chance to address the entire Senate and the only time that motions can be raised and voted upon.		Like the [[Conclave\|Conclave]] and the [[Military Council]], the [[Senate]] conducts its official business at formal sessions, where matters are discussed and votes are cast. Although members of the Senate meet to discuss business throughout the day (the [[Speaker for the Senate]] encourages all members to discuss Senate in advance of the session), the sessions are the best chance to address the entire Senate and the only time that motions can be raised and voted upon.

	Traditionally, the Senate aims to have two sessions each full day of an Imperial summit and one session each half-day.		Traditionally, the Senate aims to have two sessions each full day of an Imperial summit and one session each half-day.

Matt: Text replacement - "Senate" to "Senate"

2026-01-15T22:24:31Z

Text replacement - "Senate" to "Senate"

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:24, 15 January 2026
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	==Overview==		==Overview==
	Like the [[Conclave\|Conclave]] and the [[Military Council\|Military Council]], the [[~~Senate\|~~Senate]] conducts its official business at formal sessions, where matters are discussed and votes are cast. Although members of the Senate meet to discuss business throughout the day (the [[Speaker for the Senate]] encourages all members to discuss Senate in advance of the session), the sessions are the best chance to address the entire Senate and the only time that motions can be raised and voted upon.		Like the [[Conclave\|Conclave]] and the [[Military Council\|Military Council]], the [[Senate]] conducts its official business at formal sessions, where matters are discussed and votes are cast. Although members of the Senate meet to discuss business throughout the day (the [[Speaker for the Senate]] encourages all members to discuss Senate in advance of the session), the sessions are the best chance to address the entire Senate and the only time that motions can be raised and voted upon.

	Traditionally, the Senate aims to have two sessions each full day of an Imperial summit and one session each half-day.		Traditionally, the Senate aims to have two sessions each full day of an Imperial summit and one session each half-day.

Matt: Text replacement - "[[Imperial Synod" to "[[Synod"

2026-01-15T21:31:18Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial Synod" to "[[Synod"

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:31, 15 January 2026
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	The mainstay of the agenda for a session are the motions. The right to raise a motion is one of the most important powers of senators, shared only with the [[Conscience of the Senate]]. Motions can be presented to a Speaker at any time, but the civil service usually reject a motion brought to them less than two hours before a session is due to begin, unless there is a very good reason for it.		The mainstay of the agenda for a session are the motions. The right to raise a motion is one of the most important powers of senators, shared only with the [[Conscience of the Senate]]. Motions can be presented to a Speaker at any time, but the civil service usually reject a motion brought to them less than two hours before a session is due to begin, unless there is a very good reason for it.

	[[Senate announcement\|Announcements]] occur when the holder of an Imperial title exercises legal powers of the Senate on their behalf. These powers would normally require a Senate motion to use - and thus are subject to veto by the [[~~Imperial~~ Synod]]. The Senate may delegate these powers to one or more Imperial titles - but the citizen exercising those powers must then announce them during a Senate session to ensure that they remain subject to the appropriate oversight. Announcements are not voted on - but the Speaker will sometimes allow a short debate by members of the Senate.		[[Senate announcement\|Announcements]] occur when the holder of an Imperial title exercises legal powers of the Senate on their behalf. These powers would normally require a Senate motion to use - and thus are subject to veto by the [[Synod]]. The Senate may delegate these powers to one or more Imperial titles - but the citizen exercising those powers must then announce them during a Senate session to ensure that they remain subject to the appropriate oversight. Announcements are not voted on - but the Speaker will sometimes allow a short debate by members of the Senate.

	Any citizen that holds an Imperial title that confers the right to address the Senate may do so by informing the Speaker of their intent. The Speaker will add the address to the agenda and call the citizen to speak at the relevant moment.		Any citizen that holds an Imperial title that confers the right to address the Senate may do so by informing the Speaker of their intent. The Speaker will add the address to the agenda and call the citizen to speak at the relevant moment.

Matt: Text replacement - "[[Imperial Conclave" to "[[Conclave"

2026-01-15T16:57:51Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial Conclave" to "[[Conclave"

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:57, 15 January 2026
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	==Overview==		==Overview==
	Like the [[~~Imperial~~ Conclave\|Conclave]] and the [[Military Council\|Military Council]], the [[Senate\|Senate]] conducts its official business at formal sessions, where matters are discussed and votes are cast. Although members of the Senate meet to discuss business throughout the day (the [[Speaker for the Senate]] encourages all members to discuss Senate in advance of the session), the sessions are the best chance to address the entire Senate and the only time that motions can be raised and voted upon.		Like the [[Conclave\|Conclave]] and the [[Military Council\|Military Council]], the [[Senate\|Senate]] conducts its official business at formal sessions, where matters are discussed and votes are cast. Although members of the Senate meet to discuss business throughout the day (the [[Speaker for the Senate]] encourages all members to discuss Senate in advance of the session), the sessions are the best chance to address the entire Senate and the only time that motions can be raised and voted upon.

	Traditionally, the Senate aims to have two sessions each full day of an Imperial summit and one session each half-day.		Traditionally, the Senate aims to have two sessions each full day of an Imperial summit and one session each half-day.

Matt: Text replacement - "[[Imperial Senate" to "[[Senate"

2026-01-15T14:49:22Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial Senate" to "[[Senate"

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:49, 15 January 2026
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	==Overview==		==Overview==
	Like the [[Imperial Conclave\|Conclave]] and the [[Military Council\|Military Council]], the [[~~Imperial~~ Senate\|Senate]] conducts its official business at formal sessions, where matters are discussed and votes are cast. Although members of the Senate meet to discuss business throughout the day (the [[Speaker for the Senate]] encourages all members to discuss Senate in advance of the session), the sessions are the best chance to address the entire Senate and the only time that motions can be raised and voted upon.		Like the [[Imperial Conclave\|Conclave]] and the [[Military Council\|Military Council]], the [[Senate\|Senate]] conducts its official business at formal sessions, where matters are discussed and votes are cast. Although members of the Senate meet to discuss business throughout the day (the [[Speaker for the Senate]] encourages all members to discuss Senate in advance of the session), the sessions are the best chance to address the entire Senate and the only time that motions can be raised and voted upon.

	Traditionally, the Senate aims to have two sessions each full day of an Imperial summit and one session each half-day.		Traditionally, the Senate aims to have two sessions each full day of an Imperial summit and one session each half-day.

Matt: Text replacement - "[[Imperial Military Council" to "[[Military Council"

2026-01-15T12:24:02Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial Military Council" to "[[Military Council"

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:24, 15 January 2026
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	==Overview==		==Overview==
	Like the [[Imperial Conclave\|Conclave]] and the [[~~Imperial~~ Military Council\|Military Council]], the [[Imperial Senate\|Senate]] conducts its official business at formal sessions, where matters are discussed and votes are cast. Although members of the Senate meet to discuss business throughout the day (the [[Speaker for the Senate]] encourages all members to discuss Senate in advance of the session), the sessions are the best chance to address the entire Senate and the only time that motions can be raised and voted upon.		Like the [[Imperial Conclave\|Conclave]] and the [[Military Council\|Military Council]], the [[Imperial Senate\|Senate]] conducts its official business at formal sessions, where matters are discussed and votes are cast. Although members of the Senate meet to discuss business throughout the day (the [[Speaker for the Senate]] encourages all members to discuss Senate in advance of the session), the sessions are the best chance to address the entire Senate and the only time that motions can be raised and voted upon.

	Traditionally, the Senate aims to have two sessions each full day of an Imperial summit and one session each half-day.		Traditionally, the Senate aims to have two sessions each full day of an Imperial summit and one session each half-day.

Twiggy at 14:08, 29 July 2025

2025-07-29T14:08:13Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:08, 29 July 2025
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	===Expert Witness===		===Expert Witness===

	Any citizen raising a [[Senate motion\|motion]] in the Senate may request that a single expert witness be permitted to speak in support of it. These witnesses are technically permitted at discretion of the Speaker of the Senate, but it is rare that the request is refused. However, it is important to note that [[Senator#Limitations\| senators themselves]] may not serve as expert witnesses.		Any citizen raising a [[Senate motion\|motion]] in the Senate may request that a single expert witness be permitted to speak in support of it. These witnesses are technically permitted at discretion of the Speaker for the Senate, but it is rare that the request is refused. However, it is important to note that [[Senator#Limitations\| senators themselves]] may not serve as expert witnesses.

	It is expected that expert witnesses be individuals with recognised authority or specialist knowledge relevant to the motion, but some senators choose instead to call citizens with a personal connection to deliver a brief and impassioned plea. Expert witnesses will always be allowed to speak briefly at the start of the motion, except when time is pressing during the Sunday session where tighter restrictions apply. The citizen proposing the motion may choose to defer responding to questions to the expert witness.		It is expected that expert witnesses be individuals with recognised authority or specialist knowledge relevant to the motion, but some senators choose instead to call citizens with a personal connection to deliver a brief and impassioned plea. Expert witnesses will always be allowed to speak briefly at the start of the motion, except when time is pressing during the Sunday session where tighter restrictions apply. The citizen proposing the motion may choose to defer responding to questions to the expert witness.

Dre at 09:18, 2 June 2025

2025-06-02T09:18:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:18, 2 June 2025
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	==Speaking before the Senate==		==Speaking before the Senate==
	Every member who wishes to attend a Senate session must arrive before the ~~Session~~ begins. Once a session is in progress, nobody, not even [[The Throne]] may join the session.		Every member who wishes to attend a Senate session must arrive before the session begins. Once a session is in progress, nobody, not even [[The Throne]] may join the session.

	Each session is chaired by a [[Speaker for the Senate]]. To maintain order, members and civil servants may only speak once invited to do so by the Speaker. Those who wish to speak must catch the Speaker's eye and then wait their turn. The stated goal of the Speaker is to keep sessions brisk and on topic. Like all civil servants their oath binds them to strict neutrality. As Speaker they must balance the need to give every member of the Senate a chance to speak with a demanding time-table for Imperial business.		Each session is chaired by a [[Speaker for the Senate]]. To maintain order, members and civil servants may only speak once invited to do so by the Speaker. Those who wish to speak must catch the Speaker's eye and then wait their turn. The stated goal of the Speaker is to keep sessions brisk and on topic. Like all civil servants their oath binds them to strict neutrality. As Speaker they must balance the need to give every member of the Senate a chance to speak with a demanding time-table for Imperial business.
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	===Expert Witness===		===Expert Witness===

	Any citizen raising a [[Senate motion\|motion]] in the Senate may request that a single expert witness be permitted to speak in support of it. These witnesses are technically permitted at discretion of the Speaker of the Senate, but it is rare that the request is refused. However, it is important to note that [[Senator#Limitations\| senators themselves]] may not serve as expert witnesses .		Any citizen raising a [[Senate motion\|motion]] in the Senate may request that a single expert witness be permitted to speak in support of it. These witnesses are technically permitted at discretion of the Speaker of the Senate, but it is rare that the request is refused. However, it is important to note that [[Senator#Limitations\| senators themselves]] may not serve as expert witnesses.

	It is expected that expert witnesses be individuals with recognised authority or specialist knowledge relevant to the motion, but some senators choose instead to call citizens with a personal connection to deliver a brief and impassioned plea. Expert witnesses will always be allowed to speak briefly at the start of the motion, except when time is pressing during the Sunday session where tighter restrictions apply. The citizen proposing the motion may choose to defer responding to questions to the expert witness.		It is expected that expert witnesses be individuals with recognised authority or specialist knowledge relevant to the motion, but some senators choose instead to call citizens with a personal connection to deliver a brief and impassioned plea. Expert witnesses will always be allowed to speak briefly at the start of the motion, except when time is pressing during the Sunday session where tighter restrictions apply. The citizen proposing the motion may choose to defer responding to questions to the expert witness.
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	===Addressing Senate===		===Addressing Senate===
	Any individual who is due to [[Senate address\|address]] the Senate, make an [[Senate announcement\|announcement]], or be an ~~Expert Witness~~ must wait outside the chamber until called. They may only enter when called and must leave once their speech is complete and they have answered any questions from members of the Senate. There is no legal requirement for truth on the floor of the Senate, anyone speaking in the Senate is within their legal rights to choose whatever words they feel will suit their cause best.		Any individual who is due to [[Senate address\|address]] the Senate, make an [[Senate announcement\|announcement]], or be an expert witness must wait outside the chamber until called. They may only enter when called and must leave once their speech is complete and they have answered any questions from members of the Senate. There is no legal requirement for truth on the floor of the Senate: anyone speaking in the Senate is within their legal rights to choose whatever words they feel will suit their cause best.

	===Discretion of the Speakers===		===Discretion of the Speakers===
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	===Sunday session===		===Sunday session===
	The Sunday Senate session is often pressed for time. As a result, the Speakers strongly encourage ~~Senators~~ to bring their motions at earlier sessions, particularly if they expect extended discussion. While they always try to make time for important debates, the Civil Service must manage the agenda to conclude the session promptly.		The Sunday Senate session is often pressed for time. As a result, the Speakers strongly encourage senators to bring their motions at earlier sessions, particularly if they expect extended discussion. While they always try to make time for important debates, the Civil Service must manage the agenda to conclude the session promptly.

	To support this, the Speakers will use their existing discretion more actively during Sunday Senate. If the docket is substantial, they will use any or all of the following means to ensure the session ends well before 3pm:		To support this, the Speakers will use their existing discretion more actively during Sunday Senate. If the docket is substantial, they will use any or all of the following means to ensure the session ends well before 3pm:

AmyMason: /* The Sunday session of Senate */

2025-06-01T16:18:50Z

The Sunday session of Senate

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:18, 1 June 2025
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	The order of motions is set by the Speaker - the aim of the civil service is to ensure that the most important motions are dealt with last.		The order of motions is set by the Speaker - the aim of the civil service is to ensure that the most important motions are dealt with last.

	===~~The~~ Sunday session ~~of Senate~~===		===Sunday session===
	The Sunday Senate session is often pressed for time. As a result, the Speakers strongly encourage Senators to bring their motions at earlier sessions, particularly if they expect extended discussion. While they always try to make time for important debates, the Civil Service must manage the agenda to conclude the session promptly.		The Sunday Senate session is often pressed for time. As a result, the Speakers strongly encourage Senators to bring their motions at earlier sessions, particularly if they expect extended discussion. While they always try to make time for important debates, the Civil Service must manage the agenda to conclude the session promptly.