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{{Infobox legislature
{{Infobox legislature
|name = Senate
| name = Senate
|native_name = ''il Senàt''
| native_name = ''il Senàt''
|transcription_name =  
| native_name_lang =  
|legislature =  
| legislature = 29th Triennium
|coa_pic = MontecaraCoA.png
| coa_pic = MontecaraCoA.svg
|coa_res = 150px
| coa_res = 150px
|house_type = Upper house
| coa_alt = Coat of arms of Montecara
|leader1_type =  
| logo_pic =
|leader1 =  
| logo_res =
|leader2_type =  
| logo_alt =
|leader2 =  
| logo_caption =
|leader3_type =  
| house_type = Upper house
|leader3 =  
| jurisdiction = Montecara
|election1 =  
| term_limits = None
|party1 =  
| foundation = {{Start date|1936|07|09|df=yes}}
|members = 622 (variable)
| preceded_by =
|last_election1 =  
| new_session = {{Start date|2020|10|05|df=yes}}
|voting_system1 = Appointment for life
| leader1_type = President
|structure1 = Senate-MC.svg
| leader1 = [[Everàrd Torsièl]]
|structure1_res = 170px
| party1 =
|political_groups1 = Non-partisan
| election1 = {{date|2020-10-05}}
|committees1 =  
| leader2_type = First Vice President
|session_room = Parlamento-IPPAR1.jpg
| leader2 = [[Metelo Adorno]]
|session_res = 200px
| party2 =
|meeting_place =
| election2 = {{date|2020-10-05}}
|website = senat.go.mc
| leader3_type = Second Vice President
|footnotes =
| leader3 = [[Aurelia Corxiòn]]
| party3 =
| election3 = {{date|2020-10-05}}
| leader4_type = First Secretary
| leader4 = [[Olivia Casèl]]
| party4 =
| election4 = {{date|2020-10-05}}
| leader5_type = Second Secretary
| leader5 = [[Albìn io Saco]]
| party5 =  
| election5 = {{date|2020-10-05}}
| seats = 125
| structure1 =  
| structure1_res =  
| structure1_alt =
| political_groups1 =
| committees1 =
* State Affairs
* Foreign Affairs
* Finance
* Defense and Security
* Trade and Industry
* Social Protection
* Planning and the Environment
* Education and Culture
* Budget
* Oversight
| term_length =
| authority =
| salary =
| seats1_title =
| seats1 =
| seats2_title =
| seats2 =
| seats3_title =
| seats3 =
| seats4_title =
| seats4 =
| seats5_title =
| seats5 =
| seats6_title =
| seats6 =
| seats7_title =
| seats7 =
| seats8_title = <!-- up to | seats10_title = -->
| seats8 = <!-- up to | seats10 = -->
| voting_system1 = {{wp|Single transferable vote}}
| last_election1 = [[2020 Montecaran Senate election|21–25 September 2020]]
| next_election1 = [[2023 Montecaran Senate election|25–29 September 2023]]
| redistricting = Electoral commission
| motto =  
| session_room = Carles Puigdemont el 10 d'octubre de 2017.jpg
| session_res = 220px
| session_alt = Sàla Maxòr, Palaço di Senàt, Montecara
| meeting_place = Sàla Maxòr, [[Palace of the Senate (Montecara)|Palaço di Senàt]]
| session_room2 = Albergue de Castilla, La Valeta, isla de Malta, Malta, 2021-08-25, DD 234-236 PAN.jpg
| session_res2 = 220px
| session_alt2 = Palaço di Senàt
| meeting_place2 = [[Palace of the Senate (Montecara)|Palaço di Senàt]]
| website = [http://senat.go.mc senat.go.mc]
| constitution = [[Constitution of Montecara]]
| rules =
| footnotes =  
}}
}}


The '''Senate''' ([[Montecaran language|Montecaran]]: ''il Senàt'') is the upper house of the legislature of [[Montecara]]. Its members, called Senators, are appointed by law for {{wp|life tenure}}, and are generally chosen because of demonstrated expertise or accomplishment in some aspect of public life.  
The '''Senate''' ([[Montecaran language|Montecaran]]: ''il Senàt'') is the {{wp|upper house}} of the legislature of [[Montecara]] (the [[Popular Assembly (Montecara)|Popular Assembly]] is the {{wp|lower house}}). It is elected by {{wp|universal suffrage}}. The Senate elects the [[College of State (Montecara)|College of State]], Montecara's collective executive, at the beginning of every three-year mandate. While primary legislation requires the approval of both the Senate and Popular Assembly, the Senate alone holds some powers, most notably the appointment of certain state officials.


The Senate considers legislation passed by the lower house of the Montecaran legislature, the [[Popular Assembly]], and may approve, reject, or amend its proposals. It cannot initiate legislation, though it can issue its own resolutions which do not carry the force of law.  
== Membership and elections ==
Montecara is divided into 25 Senate districts, each of which elects five Senators by {{wp|single transferable vote}}. Senators are elected to a three-year mandate. There are no {{wp|Term limit|term limits}}.  


The Senate is Montecara's {{wp|constitutional court}} in addition to its legislative functions. It hears appeals from the [[Judiciary of Montecara#Court of the General Audience|Court of the General Audience]], which itself hears appeals from various civil and criminal courts, and from the [[Judiciary of Montecara#Court of Examiners|Court of Examiners]], which is the {{wp|court of cassation}} for administrative law.
The [[Constitution of Montecara]] requires that candidates for the Senate have the right to vote (implying that they must be citizens aged at least 20) and reside in the district from which they are elected. It also sets out disqualifications for membership in the Senate, namely:
* Being convicted of a serious crime ''(crìma)'';
* Being employed by the state;
* Having a financial interest in a contract or other business agreement with the state.


== History ==
Before taking office, Senators must take an {{wp|Oath of office|oath}} or solemn vow to abide by the Constitution and to fulfill their duties in the best interests of the Montecaran people.  
[[File:Maccari-Cicero-detail.jpg|300px|left|thumbnail|A 19th-century depiction of the Latin Senate in session]]
Montecara's Senate traces its lineage to the ancient Senate of the [[Solarian Republic]], the ultimate source of state authority. As an independent state after the fall of the [[Solarian Empire]], Montecara's leading patrician families constituted their own deliberative assembly to fill the power vacuum that was created when central state authority receded. In time, this body came to be seen as the reconstitution of the original Senate, and it is still regarded as such by Montecaran state.  


As it existed from the fall of the Latin Republic through the late 18th century, the Senate was largely an aristocratic body that served the interests of Montecara's ruling class. It was a forum for leading families to smooth out friction created by competing business interests, promote trade, provide for a navy and an army that would defend them and their property, and create laws that kept the plebeians in check. It also performed the crucial function of choosing the [[Doxe of Montecara|Doxe]], the head of state of the {{wp|crowned republic}}, who ruled for life.  
Senators are {{wp|Legal immunity|immune}} from being prosecuted or sued for anything they say in the Senate chamber. They may not be arrested or charged with an offense unless {{wp|In flagrante delicto|caught in the act}}, although the Senate may vote to allow a member to be prosecuted. If a Senator is detained, the Senate can order them to be released.


Elections of senators were sporadic and perfunctory, with certain families guaranteed that their candidate of choice would be elected by his fellows. Although this system was undemocratic by modern standards, it provided an essential mechanism for preventing the internecine conflicts that plagued other medieval city-states and forced the wealthy to work together to promote their, and the state's, best interests.  
== Functions ==
The Senate is vested with legislative power, which it uses in conjunction with the Popular Assembly to create laws and constitutional amendments and to approve treaties. It has the power of its own accord to issue resolutions, elect its officers, and conduct inquiries.


As modern ideas of representative government, democracy, and liberty slowly grew during the 18th century, a liberal wing of senators developed who opposed the increasingly out of touch institution of the Doxe and wanted to reform Montecara's premodern and aristocratic form of government. They were inspired by a revival of classical ideas and felt that Montecara had drifted away from its republican origins into being a monarchy in all but name. These liberal senators joined with revolutionary masses to overthrow the Doxe in 1868, in the process beginning the [[Liberal Revolution]]. The revolution ended in the abolition of the Doxe's office and the re-establishment of Montecaran government as a modern liberal democracy.  
=== Legislative procedure ===
The main responsibility of the Senate is to draft and pass laws. The legislative process begins with the issuance of a mandate, which is a concise proposal that demands legislative action on a particular topic. Mandates may originate from the [[College of State (Montecara)|College of State]], from a motion of the Senate, or from an initiative of the Popular Assembly. In the cases of a mandate originating from the College of State or from the Senate as a whole, the College itself takes responsibility for drafting the proposal; in the case of a mandate originating with a Popular Assembly initiative, the task is assigned to the relevant Senate committee.


== Building ==
Once a mandate has been issued, the drafting process begins. The College of State as a whole is responsible for its draft legislation, though in practice the relevant Secretary leads the process. The bulk of the work of researching and drafting proposed laws is assigned to the professional staff that support the College. In the case of a Popular Assembly mandate, the staff of the assigned Senate committee are responsible for preparing the draft, with the Senators directing the process.  
[[File:Campidoglio (Palacio Senatorio) September 2015-1.jpg|300px|thumbnail|left|The Senate building]]
The Senate meets in a purpose-built seat that was constructed in a baroque style and substantially completed in 1315, with major renovations in the 1550s and 1890s.


== Membership ==
Once this first draft is complete and approved by the College of State or Senate committee as appropriate, the consultation process begins. This process, which is intended to check the draft proposal for accuracy, enforceability, and acceptability, involves soliciting comment from concerned parties, including civil society organizations, the private sector, experts in relevant academic or technical fields, and interest groups. Input from the [[Social and Economic Council (Montecara)|Social and Economic Council]] may, and in many cases must, be solicited at this time. Legislation in the latter category includes any proposal affecting the national economy, labor and employment, consumer protection, or international trade. Once the consultation process is complete, staff prepare a revised draft of the proposal along with a report of their findings which will accompany the proposal as it advances through the legislative process. The proposed law and report are then submitted to the Senate at large.
{{Pie chart
 
| thumb = right
If the proposed law originated with the College of State, the Senate will at this stage assign the proposal to the appropriate committee for deliberation. To aid its work, the committee may conduct its own consultation procedure. The committee may propose changes to the proposed law which it compiles into a report, and it appoints from among its members a rapporteur who is responsible for presenting the proposed law and the committee's work to the whole Senate.
| caption = Breakdown of Senators by background (1 Jan. 2017)
 
| other = yes
At this stage, the proposed law is presented to the Senate as a whole. If the proposed law originates from a Popular Assembly mandate, or if it is a budget or financial proposal, it must be considered. Otherwise, the Senate takes a vote on whether to consider the proposal. If the vote fails twice, the proposal will be removed from the agenda. If the vote succeeds, the Senate will proceed to consider the proposal article by article. Senators may propose amendments which are voted on by the whole Senate. Once all articles have been accepted, the Senate votes on the final version of the proposed law. If the vote fails, the proposal is dropped except in the case of budget or financial proposals, which are referred back to the College of State for revision. If the vote succeeds, the proposal is approved. Approved proposals are submitted to the next session of the Popular Assembly.
| label1 = Politics
| value1 = 24.5
| color1 = red
| label2 =Law
| value2 = 22.3
| color2 = orange
| label3 = Business
| value3 = 20.7
| color3 = yellow
| label4 = Academia
| value4 =14.1
| color4 = green
| label5 = Arts & humanities
| value5 = 9.4
| color5 = blue
| label6 =Sciences
| value6 =6.5
| color6 = purple
}}
Senators are appointed to office by law, beginning with nomination by one or more members of the [[Colegio]]. If the Colegio as a whole supports the nomination, an appointment proposal is presented to the [[Popular Assembly]]. If passed, the proposal moves to the Senate itself, which has the final say in appointing a new Senator. A majority vote is required in both the Popular Assembly and Senate for an appointment to be approved.  


The only legal qualification for membership in the Senate is eligibility to vote, which is limited to [[Montecaran nationality law|Montecaran citizens]] at least 21 years old. Senators serve for life, though they may have their appointments revoked if the law appointing them is repealed. In practice, this is almost unheard-of. The only automatic way for a Senator to lose his or her seat is to cease to be a Montecaran citizen, for example by taking the citizenship of a foreign country. Not even conviction of the most serious category of crime (equivalent to a {{wp|felony}} in {{wp|common law}} systems) results in an automatic expulsion from office. Senators facing insurmountable legal or personal difficulties typically resign, however, before they can be convicted or removed from office.  
=== Constitutional amendments ===
The process for amending the constitution begins identically to the ordinary legislative process: a mandate is issued by the College of State, a motion of the Senate, or an initiative of the Popular Assembly. Proposed amendments are always submitted to the committee in charge of state affairs, and may also be submitted to other relevant committees depending on their subject. For instance, a proposed amendment regarding gambling would also be considered by the finance committee as it would affect state revenue. Each committee conducts its own consultation process and issues its own report. The Social and Economic Council always has the right to review and issue opinions on proposed amendments.  


Membership in the Senate is not considered full-time employment, so compensation is limited to a {{wp|per diem}} while the Senate is in session. However, expenses such as staff, office space and supplies, transportation, security, and communications are covered by the state, and Senators reaching retirement age are given an additional annual pension if their retirement income is below a certain threshold.
After the consultation process, the proposed amendment is presented to the whole Senate, which must consider it if it originates from a Popular Assembly initiative. The Senate considers proposed amendments article by article before voting on the final version. Constitutional amendments must be approved by an absolute majority of Senators to pass before being put to the Popular Assembly, which must also approve them by an absolute majority in order to ratify them.


There is no fixed number of Senators; the Popular Assembly and Senate may appoint as many members as they wish. In modern times, however, the number of Senators is typically between 600 and 650. Membership fluctuates regularly as members are appointed, die, or resign.  
=== Treaties ===
The process for considering treaties is essentially a simplified version of the legislative process. After signing a treaty, the College of State submits the treaty to the foreign affairs committee, which conducts the consultation process as it would for a piece of ordinary legislation. Senators on the committee make their report as usual before submitting the treaty to the full Senate, which must consider it. The Senate is, of course, unable to amend treaties, but it can make {{wp|Reservation (law)|reservations}} exempting parts of a treaty from applying to Montecara or declarations regarding its interpretation of the treaty, unless doing so is prohibited in the text of the treaty itself. Once a treaty is approved by the Senate, it is put before the Popular Assembly. Ratification occurs when the approved instrument of ratification is exchanged with the other contracting party or parties.


Although the legal qualifications for membership are minimal, realistic candidates have usually enjoyed long and noteworthy careers in some aspect of Montecaran public life, most prominently politics, diplomacy, law, business, or academia. There has been a movement in recent years to appoint more Senators with backgrounds in the arts, sciences, and humanities to bring a broader range of perspectives to deliberation and the legislative process.
== Officials ==
[[File:Roberto garofoli.jpg|thumb|Senate president [[Everàrd Torsièl]]]]
The Senate is presided over by a council of five officers collectively known as the Presidium ''(Presìdio)''. This consists of the President, two Vice Presidents, and two secretaries. The President is responsible for convening the Senate and presiding at its sessions, as well as holding ultimate responsibility for the functioning of the Senate as a whole. The Vice Presidents assist in these functions and preside in the absence of the President. The secretaries are responsible for organizing and reading out documents, maintaining the Senate's agenda and files, and generally attending to day-to-day operations. Officers are elected at the first meeting of each new triennium.


== Officers ==
== Committees ==
{| class="wikitable floatleft"
The Senate maintains permanent committees in two categories: legislative committees and supervisory committees. Legislative committees each deal with a specific area of subject matter and are tasked with developing legislative proposals in that area. Members are expected to cultivate relevant expertise and maintain an awareness of trends and developments in their area of concern. Supervisory committees, by contrast, are concerned with the proper functioning of government and examine the actions of the Senate and Senators to ensure that they conform to established laws and standards.
|-
! Office
! Incumbent
|-
| Co-Presidents
| [[Everàrd Torsièl]] and Giulièt Sardò
|-
| First Vice-President
| Metelo Adorno
|-
| Second Vice-President
| Aurelia Corxiòn
|-
| First Quaestor
| Olivia Casèl
|-
| Second Quaestor
| Albìn io Saco
|-
| First Secretary
| Colombo Ferìn
|-
| Second Secretary
| Orchidèa Bosi
|}
The Senate is presided over by a council of eight officers collectively known as the ''Bancone''. This consists of the two Co-Presidents, two Vice-Presidents, two {{wp|Quaestors}}, and two Secretaries. The Presidents, whose powers are equal, are responsible for convening the Senate for regular debate and presiding at its sessions; the Vice-Presidents assist in these functions and preside in the absence of the President. The Quaestors are responsible for managing the budget and administration of the Senate, and the Secretaries are responsible for organizing and reading out documents, maintaining the Senate's calendar and files, and generally attending to day-to-day operations.


== Judicial functions ==
Temporary committees can be created by a Senate resolution to address a specific issue. These may take the form of investigative committees, which are empowered to exercise the Senate's right to gather evidence and compel testimony in furtherance of an investigation.
The Senate is Montecara's constitutional court. It hears appeals from the courts of cassation for civil, criminal, and administrative matters in matters where the [[Constitution of Montecara]] is concerned. Although appeals are made to the Senate as a whole, cases are invariably referred to the Juridical Committee (''Conmixòn giuridicà''), which is composed of select Senators with a legal background. They hear cases en banc and make decisions by majority vote, with their judgment taking the form of a committee report made to the full Senate. While the Senate theoretically has the power to reject the Juridical Committee's decisions, in practice it always accepts their report and makes it final and binding.  


== See also ==
== See also ==
*[[Popular Assembly]]
*[[Popular Assembly (Montecara)]]


{{Template:Montecara topics}}
{{Template:Montecara topics}}
[[Category:Montecara]]
[[Category:Montecara]]
[[Category:Legislatures]]
[[Category:Legislatures]]
[[Category:National legislatures]]
[[Category:Politics of Montecara]]
[[Category:Bicameral legislatures]]

Latest revision as of 16:41, 17 August 2023

Senate

il Senàt
29th Triennium
Coat of arms of Montecara
Type
Type
Term limits
None
History
Founded9 July 1936 (1936-07-09)
New session started
5 October 2020 (2020-10-05)
Leadership
President
Everàrd Torsièl
since 5 October 2020
First Vice President
Metelo Adorno
since 5 October 2020
Second Vice President
Aurelia Corxiòn
since 5 October 2020
First Secretary
Olivia Casèl
since 5 October 2020
Second Secretary
Albìn io Saco
since 5 October 2020
Structure
Seats125
Committees
  • State Affairs
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Finance
  • Defense and Security
  • Trade and Industry
  • Social Protection
  • Planning and the Environment
  • Education and Culture
  • Budget
  • Oversight
Elections
Single transferable vote
Last election
21–25 September 2020
Next election
25–29 September 2023
RedistrictingElectoral commission
Meeting place
Sàla Maxòr, Palaço di Senàt, Montecara
Sàla Maxòr, Palaço di Senàt
Palaço di Senàt
Palaço di Senàt
Website
senat.go.mc
Constitution
Constitution of Montecara

The Senate (Montecaran: il Senàt) is the upper house of the legislature of Montecara (the Popular Assembly is the lower house). It is elected by universal suffrage. The Senate elects the College of State, Montecara's collective executive, at the beginning of every three-year mandate. While primary legislation requires the approval of both the Senate and Popular Assembly, the Senate alone holds some powers, most notably the appointment of certain state officials.

Membership and elections

Montecara is divided into 25 Senate districts, each of which elects five Senators by single transferable vote. Senators are elected to a three-year mandate. There are no term limits.

The Constitution of Montecara requires that candidates for the Senate have the right to vote (implying that they must be citizens aged at least 20) and reside in the district from which they are elected. It also sets out disqualifications for membership in the Senate, namely:

  • Being convicted of a serious crime (crìma);
  • Being employed by the state;
  • Having a financial interest in a contract or other business agreement with the state.

Before taking office, Senators must take an oath or solemn vow to abide by the Constitution and to fulfill their duties in the best interests of the Montecaran people.

Senators are immune from being prosecuted or sued for anything they say in the Senate chamber. They may not be arrested or charged with an offense unless caught in the act, although the Senate may vote to allow a member to be prosecuted. If a Senator is detained, the Senate can order them to be released.

Functions

The Senate is vested with legislative power, which it uses in conjunction with the Popular Assembly to create laws and constitutional amendments and to approve treaties. It has the power of its own accord to issue resolutions, elect its officers, and conduct inquiries.

Legislative procedure

The main responsibility of the Senate is to draft and pass laws. The legislative process begins with the issuance of a mandate, which is a concise proposal that demands legislative action on a particular topic. Mandates may originate from the College of State, from a motion of the Senate, or from an initiative of the Popular Assembly. In the cases of a mandate originating from the College of State or from the Senate as a whole, the College itself takes responsibility for drafting the proposal; in the case of a mandate originating with a Popular Assembly initiative, the task is assigned to the relevant Senate committee.

Once a mandate has been issued, the drafting process begins. The College of State as a whole is responsible for its draft legislation, though in practice the relevant Secretary leads the process. The bulk of the work of researching and drafting proposed laws is assigned to the professional staff that support the College. In the case of a Popular Assembly mandate, the staff of the assigned Senate committee are responsible for preparing the draft, with the Senators directing the process.

Once this first draft is complete and approved by the College of State or Senate committee as appropriate, the consultation process begins. This process, which is intended to check the draft proposal for accuracy, enforceability, and acceptability, involves soliciting comment from concerned parties, including civil society organizations, the private sector, experts in relevant academic or technical fields, and interest groups. Input from the Social and Economic Council may, and in many cases must, be solicited at this time. Legislation in the latter category includes any proposal affecting the national economy, labor and employment, consumer protection, or international trade. Once the consultation process is complete, staff prepare a revised draft of the proposal along with a report of their findings which will accompany the proposal as it advances through the legislative process. The proposed law and report are then submitted to the Senate at large.

If the proposed law originated with the College of State, the Senate will at this stage assign the proposal to the appropriate committee for deliberation. To aid its work, the committee may conduct its own consultation procedure. The committee may propose changes to the proposed law which it compiles into a report, and it appoints from among its members a rapporteur who is responsible for presenting the proposed law and the committee's work to the whole Senate.

At this stage, the proposed law is presented to the Senate as a whole. If the proposed law originates from a Popular Assembly mandate, or if it is a budget or financial proposal, it must be considered. Otherwise, the Senate takes a vote on whether to consider the proposal. If the vote fails twice, the proposal will be removed from the agenda. If the vote succeeds, the Senate will proceed to consider the proposal article by article. Senators may propose amendments which are voted on by the whole Senate. Once all articles have been accepted, the Senate votes on the final version of the proposed law. If the vote fails, the proposal is dropped except in the case of budget or financial proposals, which are referred back to the College of State for revision. If the vote succeeds, the proposal is approved. Approved proposals are submitted to the next session of the Popular Assembly.

Constitutional amendments

The process for amending the constitution begins identically to the ordinary legislative process: a mandate is issued by the College of State, a motion of the Senate, or an initiative of the Popular Assembly. Proposed amendments are always submitted to the committee in charge of state affairs, and may also be submitted to other relevant committees depending on their subject. For instance, a proposed amendment regarding gambling would also be considered by the finance committee as it would affect state revenue. Each committee conducts its own consultation process and issues its own report. The Social and Economic Council always has the right to review and issue opinions on proposed amendments.

After the consultation process, the proposed amendment is presented to the whole Senate, which must consider it if it originates from a Popular Assembly initiative. The Senate considers proposed amendments article by article before voting on the final version. Constitutional amendments must be approved by an absolute majority of Senators to pass before being put to the Popular Assembly, which must also approve them by an absolute majority in order to ratify them.

Treaties

The process for considering treaties is essentially a simplified version of the legislative process. After signing a treaty, the College of State submits the treaty to the foreign affairs committee, which conducts the consultation process as it would for a piece of ordinary legislation. Senators on the committee make their report as usual before submitting the treaty to the full Senate, which must consider it. The Senate is, of course, unable to amend treaties, but it can make reservations exempting parts of a treaty from applying to Montecara or declarations regarding its interpretation of the treaty, unless doing so is prohibited in the text of the treaty itself. Once a treaty is approved by the Senate, it is put before the Popular Assembly. Ratification occurs when the approved instrument of ratification is exchanged with the other contracting party or parties.

Officials

Senate president Everàrd Torsièl

The Senate is presided over by a council of five officers collectively known as the Presidium (Presìdio). This consists of the President, two Vice Presidents, and two secretaries. The President is responsible for convening the Senate and presiding at its sessions, as well as holding ultimate responsibility for the functioning of the Senate as a whole. The Vice Presidents assist in these functions and preside in the absence of the President. The secretaries are responsible for organizing and reading out documents, maintaining the Senate's agenda and files, and generally attending to day-to-day operations. Officers are elected at the first meeting of each new triennium.

Committees

The Senate maintains permanent committees in two categories: legislative committees and supervisory committees. Legislative committees each deal with a specific area of subject matter and are tasked with developing legislative proposals in that area. Members are expected to cultivate relevant expertise and maintain an awareness of trends and developments in their area of concern. Supervisory committees, by contrast, are concerned with the proper functioning of government and examine the actions of the Senate and Senators to ensure that they conform to established laws and standards.

Temporary committees can be created by a Senate resolution to address a specific issue. These may take the form of investigative committees, which are empowered to exercise the Senate's right to gather evidence and compel testimony in furtherance of an investigation.

See also

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