I sign SB-05-23: Access to Court Interpreters Act.

TO THE STATE ASSEMBLY:

I thank the members of the Legislature for promptly adopting in a bipartisan manner this piece of legislation which will improve access to court interpreters for those members of our community who struggle to understand the common language of judicial proceedings.

Furthermore, this piece of legislation addresses a key priority that I promised the people of Fremont: that we would end the chaotic situation where the state was functioning without a proper budget. By retrospectively reauthorizing the funding levels in the 2021 budget for the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years, this Act will ensure that the government is properly funded and can provide the essential services that ordinary Fremonters need and want.

##Access to Court Interpreters Act ###An Act to give effect to article I, section 14 of the State Constitution, to authorize funding, and for other purposes

Whereas, the State Constitution at article I, section 14 guarantees the right to an interpreter to any “person unable to understand the common language of judicial proceedings” who “is charged with a crime” or “defendant in a civil action”,

Whereas, this right is analogous to the right to counsel and thus implicitly guarantees an interpreter at public expense to indigent defendants,

Whereas, no funds or programs have been instituted by the State Assembly to give effect to this right, thereby imposing an unfunded mandate on local governments and the judicial department,

Whereas, it is the official public policy of the State, as adopted in the Municipal Bill of Rights, not to impose unfunded mandates on local governments,

Whereas, this glaring omission should be rectified through the establishment of a state program to fund the public provision of court interpreters,

The people of the Republic of Fremont do enact as follows:

SEC. 1. SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the “Access to Court Interpreters Act of 2023”.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM

(a) There is established within the Judicial Council a program for the provision of vouchers to eligible defendants for the purpose of furnishing language interpretation in judicial proceedings of which the administration of this Act is vested.

(b) The program is administered by the chief judicial administrator of the State, or a designated representative thereof, and shall have all powers necessary to bring into execution the provisions of this Act.

(c) The program may draw from all funds authorized by section 4(a) of this Act and from any other sources of funding made available by statute or executive order.

SEC. 3. ELIGIBILITY FOR PROGRAM

(a) Eligibility for the program extends to any natural person who—

(1) is charged with a felony or a misdemeanor within the meaning of section 16 of the Penal Code;

(2) is named as a defendant in any civil action in law or equity in a city court, county court, or inferior court of record;

(3) is party to proceedings arising out of a direct appeal of a conviction for a felony or a misdemeanor; or

(4) is named as a respondent in any appeal of a civil action in law or equity in a city court, county court, or inferior court of record.

(b) No person is eligible for the program who—

(1) defends an action before an arbitrator, mediator, administrative tribunal, professional regulatory body, disciplinary panel, legislative body, court of impeachment, or other non-judicial body;

(2) is charged with an infraction within the meaning of section 16 of the Penal Code;

(3) defends an action in a court of the United States, a foreign sovereign, or an Indian tribe;

(4) is capable of understanding the English language, whether orally or in writing, in a manner that would enable him or her to broadly comprehend the general meaning of the proceedings;

(5) is not in financial need; or

(6) is only named as a cross-defendant or cross-respondent in a civil action.

(c) Officers of the court shall endeavor to inform any potentially eligible person of his or her constitutional right to an interpreter and to assist him or her in making a request under the program for such an interpreter.

(d) The determination of whether a person is eligible for an interpreter under the program is to be performed by the presiding judge or magistrate; provided that a motion for reconsideration of an unsuccessful request lies to the chief judge of the court. Judicial review of a denial of a request lies via writ of mandate to the court above within 30 days of denial of a motion for reconsideration.

(e) In this section—

(1) “natural person” means an actual living human being, to the exclusion of all other legal persons;

(2) “financial need” means that a person’s net financial resources and income are insufficient to enable that person to engage the services of a certified and/or registered court interpreter in his or her desired language; and

(3) “foreign sovereign” means any other state, territory or possession of the United States, any foreign power, or any other sovereign located outside the territory of the Republic of Fremont.

SEC. 4. SPENDING AUTHORIZATION

(a) A per annum amount not exceeding 85,000,000 dollars is authorized for the program to be drawn from the General Fund account for Legislative, Judicial, Executive, and Government Operations in Title II of the Consolidated Revenue and Appropriations Act of 2021.

(b) The same title is reauthorized retrospectively through December 31, 2022 and on a pro-rated basis throughout 2023 until the adoption of a budget for that fiscal year.

SEC. 5. INTERPRETATION

This Act shall not be construed as the exclusive means by which a court may appoint an interpreter to an indigent defendant in proceedings. It is rather the intention of the Legislature through this Act to help alleviate the financial burden of paying for the services of interpreters currently borne by local governments and the judicial department by providing an alternative financing option.

SEC. 6. ENTRY INTO FORCE

This Act enters into force immediately.

Sponsored by /u/ModelAinin (Dem.)

All amendments should be submitted as a top-level comment. Voting for and against said amendment should be done as a reply.

Welcome to Morning Hour Debate!

Morning Hour debates are a regular occurrence in legislative chambers. At the state level, these will be general discussion threads for state-specific issues.

All members of the simulation are permitted to participate in this discussion. You do not have to be a sitting member of the Assembly to engage in these conversations.

Please remember to be kind and courteous in your comments.

Hi there!

For legislation submissions, please comment the following below:

Title: -title-

Link: Google Doc preferred

Legislation Type: H.R./H.Res./etc.

If you are submitting unlinkable, please respond to the initial comment with the text of the bill.

I call for Assembly members to nominate candidates for Speaker. The nomination period will last 48 hours.

Congrats on landing in the Fremont Assembly, I'll be your clerk, Roberto. I currently have no deputy clerk. The State is now open, and we'll get right on task with the Speaker vote as soon as possible.

Throughout this term, you must use this thread for:

Send replacements for vacant seats (party leaders only);

Resignations from any office of the State; Withdrawing legislation;

You need to speak to a Clerk for assistance outside of any thread;

Anything else that doesn't fit into the other threads across this subreddit and r/ModelWesternAssembly.

Legislative submissions are done by way of google form submissions via this the form in the pinned post, even before the Speaker is elected. (All submissions most abide by the Universal State Bylaws, and be verified)

Assembly Schedule:

The amount of bills posted per week is discretionary to the State Clerk and will vary depending on how many submissions we have.

The Executive:

If the Governor fails to act on any bill after seven (7) days of being notified by the State Clerk, they shall receive one (1) strike for inactivity. An accumulation of three (3) strikes will lead to their meta-removal.

If the Lieutenant Governor fails to break any tie after seven (7) days of being notified by the State Clerk, they shall receive one (1) strike for inactivity. An accumulation of three (3) strikes will lead to their meta-removal.

The state officers of the last Assembly shall be considered the same unless they have taken a new position in the government, the Governor nominates someone to fill their spot, or they resign.

The Legislature:

If an assemblyperson fails to vote in respect to a proposed legislation, they shall be given their one (1) strike for inactivity, , and upon an accumulation of three (3) strikes, shall be removed from office.

Swearing in

“I, (Name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of the Republic of Fremont, that I take this oath freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will faithfully execute the office of Assemblyperson to the best of my ability. (So help me God).”

All assemblypersons must be sworn in, unless they're replacing someone who's already sworn in.

#The Order

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lpOTH9Dnbsv6BL4lVmzigl2crT5coUozVuBtTHjxnnM

#Note from the Governor

This order establishes a specific office for preserving the glaciers of Fremont in order to ensure that this administration, and any future administrations, can maintain the crucial focus on protecting these glaciers. Glaciers are essential parts of cold ecosystems and their melting due to climate change can have disastrous effects for humans and animals. This order is part of this administration’s green Fremont vision.

#Meta Note

In line with the Quad advice on cabinet positions, to prevent inactivity in the sim, nobody will be appointed to any of these positionsz

I, Michael David Grant, with the power vested in me as Governor of Fremont, hereby sign WSB-05-07 into law.

I, Michael David Grant, with the power vested in me as Governor of Fremont, hereby sign WSB-05-30 into law.

u/Somali-Pirate-Lvl100 u/crydefiance

Governor Michael D. Grant has nominated BoristheRabid to replace IcierHelicopter (resigned) to be an Associate Justice of the Fremont Supreme Court. You may ask questions here.

#The Order

https://docs.google.com/document/d/12zcJFgujnRZ85aCWeXxEslKF0eZCbGGA7JzsIOJ0nLE

#Note from the Governor

Given that the State Seal Alteration Act was passed and signed almost a year ago and the Supreme Court has confirmed the legality of the conditions under which it was signed, I can no longer see any rationality in Lieutenant Governor Melp’s Directive 002, which prevents the law from being effectively enforced.

This order countermands Directive 002 and orders all departments of the government to comply with the changing of the seal, in accordance with state law.

I, Governor Michael D. Grant of the Republic of Fremont, nominate Boris The Rabid for associate justice on the Supreme Court of the Republic of Fremont on this day, February 22nd 2023.

I, Michael David Grant, with the power vested in me as Governor of Fremont, hereby sign WSB-05-12 into law.

I, Michael David Grant, with the power vested in me as Governor of Fremont, hereby sign WSB-05-20 into law.

I, Michael David Grant, with the power vested in me as Governor of Fremont, hereby sign WSB-05-24 into law.

u/Somali-Pirate-Lvl100

#The Order

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rl8TA4y6MmlJqSfYHuNSb6DTR7CRGHz2nNTJCbyHHII

#Note from the Governor

This order is designed to reduce unnecessary illegal immigration into the Republic of Fremont by minimizing the ability of institutions in America to harbor illegal immigrants. However, as I recognize there are frequently situations in which illegal immigration is the only choice an individual can make in order to save their own life, I have included an exceptions section.

This section ensures that, if an illegal immigrant has come from a country where there is extreme risk to their life, they may be immune to Sections 1 and 2 of this order. It is my goal to ensure that illegal immigration does not occur unless it is absolutely necessary for the protection of life and liberty.

I also wish to make it clear that this order is to deal with the temporary cartel threat in the South, and may be repealed at a later date once the threat is reduced.

The Order

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DQ-yvlbCx70XQIqVMDdKK3VPdZPP_Fko1lfudCdZ-lI

Note From The Governor

I have decided to write and release this Executive Order in order to ensure that the indigenous citizens of Fremont are properly represented in government and that they have an opportunity to advise myself and all future governors about the specific and relevant needs of their communities. I look forward to seeing the Indigenous Representation Council in action. Our first meeting will be held at the City Hall in the City of Fremont.

The Order

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EH3owSrYIaRQTZ5VQKQuYY-Z4UJvMpvrFSLHQh6oYCY

Note From The Governor

I have decided to write and release this Executive Order in order to ensure that, if Fremont was to experience a major disaster/crisis event in the future, the Fremont National Guard will be able to operate swiftly and effectively to save lives and mitigate the situation. This executive order increases the safety of Americans in Fremont against both natural disasters and potential minor terror attacks. I hope that the people of Fremont can feel more secure as they go about their daily lives knowing that the National Guard, under the Grant Administration, is the ready to protect them, always. God Bless Fremont and God Bless America.

(THIS HAS BEEN REPOSTED DUE TO A COUNTING ERROR WHICH MISNUMBERED THIS ORDER AS 20 RATHER THAN THE ACTUAL 22)

The Order

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BGY8E1-KCjcPNjC-551VU50G6JBBfklXZlf98NM-bGQ

Note From The Governor

After careful review, I decided to create this new award to more effectively recognize and reward those who do good for our environment. I believe that we are trying to raise a more environmentally-conscious generation and a vital part of that is showing our children that caring for our world is rewarded and their efforts will be recognized by this government. I hope that the people of Fremont are pleased with this new order and I look forward to announcing the first recipients soon!

(THIS HAS BEEN REPOSTED DUE TO A COUNTING ERROR WHICH MISNUMBERED THIS ORDER AS 19 RATHER THAN THE ACTUAL 21)

I, Michael David Grant, with the power vested in me as Governor of Fremont, hereby sign WSB-05-08 into law.

I, Michael David Grant, with the power vested in me as Governor of Fremont, hereby sign WSB-05-14 into law.

u/Somali-Pirate-Lvl100

I, Michael David Grant, with the power vested in me as Governor of Fremont, hereby sign WSB-05-01 into law.

I, Michael David Grant, with the power vested in me as Governor of Fremont, hereby sign WSB-05-02 into law.

I, Michael David Grant, with the power vested in me as Governor of Fremont, hereby sign WSB-05-03 into law.

I, Michael David Grant, with the power vested in me as Governor of Fremont, hereby sign WSB-05-04 into law.

u/Somali-Pirate-Lvl100

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1z-eEN_6XfXHhiV4NwJTjpHfk4K3096t-nVVXMHLA0Ow

Executive Order 19

On September 26th, 2022, Governor Michael D. Grant issued an executive order to honor the recently deceased President of the United States, Adith_MUSG. It was ordered that flags be lowered to half staff and that a minute of silence be observed across the state, commencing at 11am. on September 27th, 2022.

I call for Assembly members to nominate candidates for Speaker. The nomination period will last 48 hours.

This thread is where you will submit all legislation. Here’s how to do it:

1: Write the Bill

Make sure that the bill is in Reddit Format unless it’s longer than 5 pages.

2: Submit the Bill

HERE

If you have any questions, please contact me. Thank you, and good luck with writing legislation! Fill out the form to submit legislation, and ENSURE that you answer ALL questions correctly.

3: Comment on the Thread

The last step is to comment on this thread that you submitted a piece of legislation. The comment should be written as follows:

(Name of Legislation) u/Somali-Pirate-Lvl100

4: Congrats!

Congratulations! You submitted a piece of legislation. If there are any problems, I will PM you on Discord or on Reddit.

If you have any questions, please contact me. Thank you, and good luck with writing legislation! (Also thanks to Gunnz because I stole this from him).

Congrats on landing in the Fremont Assembly, I'll be your clerk, Roberto. /u/NebraskanPride17 will be the deputy clerk. The State is now open, and we'll get right on task with the Speaker vote on Monday

Throughout this term, you must use this thread for:

Send replacements for vacant seats (party leaders only); Resignations from any office of the State; Withdrawing legislation; You need to speak to a Clerk for assistance outside of any thread; Anything else that doesn't fit into the other threads across this subreddit and r/ModelWesternAssembly. Legislative submissions are done by way of google form submissions via this LINK, even before the Speaker is elected. (All submissions most abide by the Universal State Bylaws, and be verified HERE Assembly Schedule:

Proposed legislation will be posted for amendments on Monday, amendment voting will occur on Wednesday and bill voting will be Friday. The amount of bills posted per week is discretionary to the State Clerk and will vary depending on how many submissions we have. The Executive:

If the Governor fails to act on any bill after seven (7) days of being notified by the State Clerk, they shall receive one (1) strike for inactivity. An accumulation of three (3) strikes will lead to their meta-removal. If the Lieutenant Governor fails to break any tie after seven (7) days of being notified by the State Clerk, they shall receive one (1) strike for inactivity. An accumulation of three (3) strikes will lead to their meta-removal. The state officers of the last Assembly shall be considered the same unless they have taken a new position in the government, the Governor nominates someone to fill their spot, or they resign. The Legislature:

If an assemblyperson fails to vote in respect to a proposed legislation, they shall be given their one (1) strike for inactivity, , and upon an accumulation of three (3) strikes, shall be removed from office.

Swearing in

“I, (Name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of the Republic of Fremont, that I take this oath freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will faithfully execute the office of Assemblyperson to the best of my ability.”

All assemblypersons must be sworn in, unless they're replacing someone who's already sworn in.

People of Fremont, Greetings.

By the power vested in me by Article IV Section IX Clause A of the Constitution of the Republic of Fremont, in my capacity as Governor of the Republic of Fremont, I, Michael D. Grant, hereby appoint u/gknight4 as the Attorney General of the Republic of Fremont. This appointment is active as of 00:00 UTC on the 10th day of August in the year 2022.