Senate address
Of course it was a lie you fool. Bruised apples have black cores. Stop yammering about virtue! It's a long list but unless you buggers added an eighth while I was eating lunch, honesty ain't on it. It's an address - she can say what she sodding likes and that ain't a crime. Those with wits and a care to use them will decide for themselves what to believe.
Walter Brewer, Senator for UpwoldOverview
A Senate address is an opportunity for an individual to make a presentation to the Imperial Senate at a Senate session. Only a handful of Imperial titles confer the right to address the Senate, but they traditionally include The Throne and the Master of the Imperial Mint.
The Senate may create new Imperial titles with this power if they wish; this is most appropriate where the holder of the title does not need to attend regular Senate sessions but may need to report regularly to the Senate.
It is also possible to confer the right to make an address on a named citizen regardless of any Imperial title held. This is usually expressed as an invitation for the individual to address the Senate.
Limitations
No Compulsion
It is not possible to compel a citizen to appear before the Senate to speak. The Senate may grant an Imperial title the right to make an address, request an individual address the Senate, or invite them to speak on an individual motion, but they cannot compel them to appear. Only the Imperial Synod has the power to compel a citizen to appear before them.
Agenda
Regardless of any responsibilities or expectations, the Senate cannot set the content of an address. A citizen who chooses to address the Senate may speak on any matter they wish.
Usage
The Constitutional Court have indicated that it is not constitutional to have the right to address the Senate more than once a summit.
are often very poorly received.
Procedure
Raising an address
An Imperial citizen who has the right to address the Senate may do so by informing the Speaker for the Senate of their intention. The Speaker will add the item to the agenda for the next session.
The citizen should ensure that they are present at the chamber throughout the session, as they may be called at any time. They may only enter the chamber once called, and must leave when their address is concluded. The citizen may choose to inform the Speaker of the rough content of their address in advance if they wish.
Presentation
The citizen making an address will be allowed a few minutes to speak during which those present in the chamber are expected to remain reasonably quiet. Although the citizen has been granted the legal right to address the Senate on a matter of their choice, the Speaker determines how long they may speak for. The purpose of an address is to present the Senate with information that is of interest to them. Individuals who try the Senate's patience by talking too long on a subject that it is clearly of diminishing interest to everyone present will be instructed to conclude their address early by the Speaker.
Debate
After the presentation is complete, the Speaker will allow some time for members of the Senate to ask questions and for the speaker to reply.