Senate of Latium
Senate of Latium Senatus Latii | |
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| 151st Senate of Latium | |
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| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
Silvius Apronianus since 4 January 2021 | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 794 senators |
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Political groups | Majority
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| Elections | |
| Semi-proportional list | |
Last election | 10 August 2020 |
| Meeting place | |
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| Curia Claudia | |
| Website | |
| www.senatus.gov.il | |
| This article is part of a series on the |
| Politics of Latium |
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The Senate of Latium is the unicameral legislature of Latium. It has existed since the days of the ancient Latin kingdom. It remains one of the longest standing and oldest institutions in the Latin government.
The composition and powers of the Senate are found in the various constitutional documents of Latium, including the mythical founding documents of the city of Castellum. The most prominent governing document is the Senate Edict, as part of the Theophylactian Reforms. The Senate is comprised of 794 senators, elected by national list. Senators meet in the Senate House, in Castellum sometimes known as Curia Claudia or Curia Anicia. Though subordinate to the Monarch in his capacity as Princeps Senatus, the Consul is the leader of the chamber, serving as it's presiding officer and speaker.
History
The Senate has existed since the founding of the city of Castellum in the form of a council of nobles to guide the city's governance. It is the longest lasting and most enduring tradition of the Latin peoples. It continued to remain politically weak until mid-11th century and the ensuing instability that followed out of the devastating defeat of the Latin Imperial forces at the Battle of Saint-Nazaire. In this era, the senate constituted many of the newly landed nobles and lords who now dictated many Royal edicts and laws. The Senate lost a great deal of power during the reign of Empress Maria I Claudia, whom they attempted to overthrow at one point, forcefully removed many senators and relocated the body to Ascanium, which had been the seat of the Crown for the prior 70 years in order to keep a watchful eye on the body.
Reforms of 1866
The Senate has changed substantially in its composition, powers and abilities throughout its existence. Before the reforms of Maria IV Gentilia and Theophylactus I Anicius, approximately 95% of its seats were hereditary or appointed, with the remaining seats often held by members of the clergy. Key leadership position, were held for no longer than a calendar year. For example, in this period the Emperor would appoint two Consuls to preside over the Senate. The same was true for Senatorial Tribunes, though these were often elected from among sitting senators.
Following the reforms in 1866, modern political factions or parties began to form around prominent members; the conservative Optimates around Thomas Anicius, Duke of Beroea; and the liberal Populares around Peter Lucretius. Here, the Senate shifted towards a more modern legislature and a more representative body. It wasn't until after the Social War that hereditary seats were abolished and every seat became elected.
Acts of Constitutional Reform
At the conclusion of the Social War, Empress Diana I Anicia, directed the Senate, specifically the Senatorial Reform Act. This act focused on reducing the Senate from its bloated membership of 930 to 794. The Monarch retains the ability to create new senators, whether by calling for the addition of new seats, appointing senators, or the expansion or abolition of existing seats.
Membership
Qualifications
The Senate Act sets out three basic requirements for senators: (1) he or she must be a registered voter at the time of election (ie. at least 17 years old); (2) he or she must be citizens of Latium for the past 15 years or longer; (3) he or she must reside in Latium.
By law and constitutional convention, the Senate has authority over it's own membership, allowing it to expel or censure members. A person may not sit in the Senate if he or she is the subject of a bankruptcy proceedings, or if he or she is bankrupt. Individuals deemed unfit under the Mental Fitness and Stability Act for ten months or more must vacate their seat. Under the same Act, three specialists must report to the Orator and Praeses that a Senator is suffering from mental illness before a seat can be declared vacant.
Anyone found guilty of high treason may not sit in Senate until he or she has received a full pardon from the Monarch. Moreover, individuals serving a prison sentence of one year or more are ineligible. Those found guilty of certain election-related offenses, under the Acts of Constitutional Reform, are permanently barred from holding public office, unless they attain special dispensation by the Monarch. Several other disqualifications are codified in the same Act: holders of high judicial offices, civil servants, members of the regular armed forces, and members of foreign legislatures. Magistrates, even though they are paid officers of the Crown, are not disqualified. Senators may continue to serve in the senate while holding separate legislative positions, such as a dual mandate in city, provincial, or devolved assemblies.
Elections and term
Senators represent the entire population of Latium under the theory of virtual representation. Senators are nominated by senate factions, though appointed senators may choose to forego a faction affiliation. Factions, submit nominee lists to the Imperial Electoral Commission by the deadline. Factions are not required to publicly disclose their lists, but must meet specific requirements in order to receive imperial approval to stand for election.
This commission often recommends to the Monarch on any possible expansion or reduction of senate seats. These proposals are subject to Imperial assent, and in certain instances may be amended. The number of elected seats has been fixed at 750 since 2010. While Senate seats that can be won via election are currently fixed, the Emperor is empowered to appoint any individual to the Senate regardless of election or other qualifications. Often times these appointments are honorary, or in the alternative serve to allow the Emperor to appoint an individual to a Pretorship, which requires Senate membership. Currently, there are 52 appointed Senators at the Emperor's pleasure.
Anyone under the age of 18, prisoners, and insane persons are not qualified to become Senators. To vote, one must be a citizen of Latium, or currently live in an overseas territory. Latin citizens living abroad are allowed to vote for 15 years after moving from Latium. No person may vote in more than one county.
Term
Senatorial elections occur every five years, though the emperor may dissolve the senate and call for new elections. The timing of the dissolution is normally chosen by the Monarch. After the Senate is dissolved, new elections are held.
Once elected, senators continue to serve until the next dissolution of the Senate. If a senator dies or ceases to be qualified, his or her seat falls vacant. It is also possible for the Senate to expel members, but this power is exercised only in cases of serious misconduct or criminal activity. In each case, a vacancy may be filled by a member of the same political faction from the previous election's party list, if the vacancy happens more than 3 years before the next election. If a seat falls vacant less than 3 years before the next election, the seat remains vacant until the election.
Appointed senators are not beholden to electoral term limits, though often serve for a term of years granted with the appointment, though in rare instances may receive a life appointment.
Salary and benefits
The designation as a Senator applies to all elected members with the style of "The Most Renowned". The annual salary of each Senator is currently $170,000. Senators may also receive additional salaries in right of other offices they hold (for instance, the Magisterial offices or the Consulship). Most senators also claim for various office expenses (staff costs, postage, travel, etc.) and, in the case of non-Castellum members, for the costs of maintaining a home in the capital.
Senators also receive retirement benefits that are similar to other government employees if they serve for more than one full term. These benefits vest after 10 years of service. Senators also receive state privileges similar to that of privilege of peerage, which includes protection against civil liability for actions done or statements made in the course of their legislative duties.
Officers
Praeses Senatus
The praeses senatus (President of the Senate) is the de facto leader of the senate and serves as the leader of his or her senatorial faction. It was established by imperial decree in 1866. The praeses decide the agenda, when sessions meet, when votes are held, and significant influence in appointing or deciding committee appointments. The praeses senatus is also responsible for ensuring the legislation is supported by a majority and then earns imperial assent. He also nominates the Orator Senatus, who serves as the senate's presiding office.
Minority leaders
A minority leader is the leader of any senatorial faction with at least 5 sitting senators. In any session of the Senate, there is always at least one minority leader, but in most instances multiple. Minority leaders can be considered similar to the Leader of the Opposition in similar parliamentary systems, making a minority leader the chief representative of his or her party in the Senate. By Senatorial procedure, a minority leader is given priority over other party members to speak on the Senate floor, except for the Consul.
Factions often appoint deputy minority leaders, and their own frontbench to serve as a shadow cabinet. These front bench teams are often divided similarly to magisterial offices with members referred to as Spokesperson (ie; Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs). Though this is not a constitutional role, spokespersons of minority teams are often high ranking within the senatorial party.
Procedure
Daily procedure
Debates
Committees
The Senate uses committees and their subcommittees for a variety of purposes, including the review of bills and their amendments. The appointment of committee members is formally made by the whole Senate, but the choice of members is actually made by the political parties. Generally, each party honors the preferences of individual members, giving priority on the basis of seniority. Historically, membership on committees has been in rough proportion to the party's strength in the Senate as a whole, with two exceptions: on the Rules Committee, the majority party fills nine of the thirteen seats; and on the Ethics Committee, each party has an equal number of seats. However, when party control in the Senate is closely divided, extra seats on committees are sometimes allocated to the majority party.
Most committee work is performed by twenty standing committees, each of which has jurisdiction over a specific set of issues, such as Agriculture or Foreign Affairs. Each standing committee considers, amends, and reports bills that fall under its jurisdiction. Committees have extensive powers with regard to bills; they may block legislation from reaching the floor of the Senate. Standing committees also oversee the departments and ministries of the executive branch. In discharging their duties, standing committees have the power to hold hearings and to subpoena witnesses and evidence.
Functions
Bills may be introduced to either the main Senate floor or any of the relevant sub-assemblies; however, imperial proposed or sponsored legislation originates at the main floor for debate and full member vote. The senate frequently passes resolutions (senatus consulta) which have already been adopted or issued as edicts by the Emperor. However, legislative measures on a variety of topics may still originate from the Senate itself. These legislative measures, that do not already have imperial sponsorship, are required to be discussed at a meeting between the Senate and Sacred Assembly after leaving sub-assembly and before senate-wide vote. Many of these measures originate in the College of Praetors, which often makes the meeting with Senate leaders and the Sacred Assembly a formality. If the measure passes the Senate vote by a majority, it is then referred to the Emperor for approval where he may either grant or withhold assent.
See also
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