Imperial Senate
Overview
The Imperial Senate is the legislative body for the Empire. The Senate has a wide range of political powers which makes senators some of the most powerful political individuals in the Empire. Senators represent the interests of the territories of the Empire. The Senate spends the Imperial budget, passes laws and is responsible for appointing citizens to some of the most important offices in the land.
History
The Senate was created at the dawn of the Empire to ensure that the power to govern remained in the hands of the citizens. The Senate is a development of the Witan which existed in Wintermark to help the monarch run the nation, in the time before the Empire.
Role within the Empire
The Imperial Senate consider and vote on procedural motions, vital policy decisions required for the administration of the Empire which may involve the expenditure of Imperial funds. For instance, when a territory is conquered by the Imperial armies, the Senate decides which nation the territory will be assigned to.
Any changes to Imperial Law must be raised and approved by the Senate; changes which have constitutional implications also require authorization by The Throne and approval by the magistrates. The Senate also has the power to create new offices of state, individuals with powers and responsibilities, who operate as part of, or alongside, the Senate, Synod, Bourse, Military Council or the Conclave.
Appointments by the Senate include the generals who sit in the Imperial Military Council and command the Imperial armies. They also choose who and when to appoint to The Throne. It is the also the responsibility of the Senate to pass declarations of war and to end a state of warfare.
The Senate are also responsible for the Imperial budget. Senators can raise motions to assign the Empire's taxes to economic, military or research commissions.
Decisions made by the Senate may be vetoed by the Synod under some circumstances, and by the Throne.
Structure and dynamics
The Senate typically sits twice in each full day of an Imperial summit, and once in each part day.
The Speakers of the Senate are civil servants responsible for ordering motions during a sitting, allowing time for motions to be considered, for maintaining civil debate, counting votes and ensuring due procedure within the chamber.
Attendance
Imperial citizens are usually permitted to attend the Senate in the public gallery. They are not permitted to speak during debates.
Limitations
Powers of veto
The Throne may veto any motion that has been passed by the Imperial Senate. The Throne has until the end of a sitting to veto a decision taken during that sitting.
The Synod is responsible for the Virtuous conduct of the Empire. Either the Assembly of Nine or the General Assembly may veto any motion with constitutional implications. In addition, the General Assembly of the Synod may veto any one Senate decision during any summit, using its power of veto.
Any veto by the Synod must be exercised at the beginning of the next sitting which follows the session where the decision was passed. It is the responsibility of the Conscience to deliver the veto of the Synod to the Senate.
Abdication of Military Responsibility
Although the Senate appoints the generals to the Military Council, the constitution states that "The Military Council will execute the strategy of war without interference from the Senate". This is considered to indicate that Senators should refrain from involvement in the business of the Military Council and to this end Senators are legally prohibited from entering the Military Council.