Organic Law

The 1997/XVIII Organic Law, also known as the OrgLaw, is the highest law of Talossa and the supreme governing document. Its twenty-one articles broadly establish the boundaries of the nation, the role of the sovereign, the functioning of the government, the nature of the Ziu, and other vital topics. The nineteenth article describes a Covenant of Rights and Freedoms modeled after the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights, which guarantees a list of rights vital to the Talossan people.

History

The Organic Law was established in 1997/XVIII.

Contents

Article I: Declaration of Independence

Text of Org.1.1.

This section consists of a single sentence, mimicking the original founding of Talossa by "proclaim[ing] the Kingdom of Talossa to be an independent unit in the master plan of World Singular Secession."

Article II: Points of State

Text of Org.2.1.

This article establishes the boundaries of Talossa and its capital, Abbeville. It also describes some of the most important symbols of the nation, including the flag, national motto, and arms of the state.

Article III: The King

Text of Org.3.1.

See our main article on this subject at Crown.

The third article declares Talossa to be a "constitutional, hereditary Monarchy," and its second section grants the sovereign specified powers, such as the ability to veto bills and grant pardons. The bulk of this article, however, concerns the manner in which the monarch is replaced or succeeded. It details how the crown passes from King John to his next heir, irrespective of gender, and the implementation of a regency when this is not immediately possible.

The article also specifies how the Ziu may remove an heir from the line of succession, or remove a reigning monarch from his position. Lastly, Article III requires a new King to establish a Privy Council of esteemed elder Talossans, to advice him on "matters of grave importance."

Article IV: Election to the Senäts

Text of Org.4.1.

Article IV describes the method of election for members of the Senäts, as well as the means by which a Senator can be removed from office (voluntarily, by the Cort Pü Inalt, or by impeachment by the rest of the Senäts).

Article V: Composition of the Senäts

Text of Org.5.1.

See our main article on this subject at Senäts.

The main article regarding the functioning and makeup of the Senäts, this article lays out much of the scope of that body's power, as well as associated restrictions. The Senäts does not have any say in the monthly vote of confidence undertaken by the Cosa, and no bill that appropriates money may originate in the Senäts (although such bills must still acquire the assent of the Senäts to pass). Certain types of amendments to the Organic Law, on the other hand, may only pass with a 2/3 vote of the Senäts; bills pertaining to Talossan territorial claims, provincial boundaries, the amendment process, or the Senäts itself all require this strength of support.

Two of the more arcane rules of Talossan governance also are delineated in this article:

• The sovereign is prohibited from entering the Senäts chamber unless called to testify. This has in the past combined with statutes that require royal assent to an action of the Senäts (such as the awarding of a Senatorial Medal of Honour) to necessitate a royal messenger.
• If the Senäts twice rejects a revenue bill, the sovereign may force both houses of the Ziu to meet in a single body with him, passing the bill if a majority of that body assent to it. It is due to this provision and to the ability to veto that the Crown is considered to be a part of the Ziu.

Article VI: Political Parties

Text of Org.6.1.

See our main article on this subject at Political parties.

This brief section of the OrgLaw specifies the few requirements of political parties in Talossa. To be recognized as a political party, an organization must register two things with the Chancery: the name of their leader and a fifty-word statement describing their "general aims and views." The Secretary of State is also empowered to require a filing fee.

Article VII: Elections to the Cosâ

Text of Org.7.1.

In language mirroring that of Article IV, this article describes the method by which citizens elect representatives to the Cosa, and the procedure by which the sovereign replaces Members of Cosa who vacate their seats.

Article VIII: Composition of the Cosâ

Text of Org.8.1.

See our main article on this subject at Cosa.

In many ways a continuation of the preceding article, this section of the Organic Law provides more rules by which Members of Cosa receive their seats, and how they may be lost. Frequently amended, this article represents significant change from the OrgLaw as first drafted, when the "Real Cosa" of twenty elected representatives constituted the lower house of the Ziu, rather than the current proportionally assigned 200 virtual seats that are distributed according to percentages of the popular vote.

Article IX: The Secretary of State, the Hopper, and the Clark

Text of Org.9.1.

See our main article on this subject at Chancery.

Article IX describes in detail the role of the Chancery, arguably the most important and one of the most powerful positions in Talossa, and the process by which any proposed bill may become law.

Article X: Passing Legislation

Text of Org.10.1.

Article XI: The Seneschál

Text of Org.11.1.

Article XII: The Government (Cabinet)

Text of Org.12.1.

Article XIII: Duration of the Cosâ and the Government

Text of Org.13.1.

Article XIV: Living Cosâ

Text of Org.14.1.

Article XV: Amendments to the Organic Law

Text of Org.15.1.

Article XVI: The Courts

Text of Org.16.1.

Article XVII: Territorial Subdivisions

Text of Org.17.1.

Article XVIII: Citizenship and Rights

Text of Org.18.1.

Article XIX: Covenant of Rights and Freedoms

Text of Org.19.1.

Article XX: Referenda

Text of Org.20.1.

Article XXI: Status of the Organic Law

Text of Org.21.1.

See also

• The text of the Organic Law