Senate (Montecara): Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
No edit summary
 
(74 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{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}}
|seats = 129
| preceded_by =
|last_election1 =  
| new_session = {{Start date|2020|10|05|df=yes}}
|voting_system1 =  
| leader1_type = President
|structure1 = File:Senate-MC.svg
| leader1 = [[Everàrd Torsièl]]
|structure1_res = 200px
| party1 =
|political_groups1 =  
| election1 = {{date|2020-10-05}}
* {{Color box|#DB2B39|border=darkgray}} Trade unions (30)
| leader2_type = First Vice President
* {{Color box|#390099|border=darkgray}} Industry and commerce (30)
| leader2 = [[Metelo Adorno]]
* {{Color box|#499167|border=darkgray}} Professions (10)
| party2 =
* {{Color box|#D5573B|border=darkgray}} Trades and crafts (10)
| election2 = {{date|2020-10-05}}
* {{Color box|#FFBD00|border=darkgray}} Cooperatives (5)
| leader3_type = Second Vice President
* {{Color box|#EAD2AC|border=darkgray}} Outside labor market (3)
| leader3 = [[Aurelia Corxiòn]]
* {{Color box|#12130F|border=darkgray}} Local constituencies (41)
| party3 =  
|session_room = Parlamento-IPPAR1.jpg
| election3 = {{date|2020-10-05}}
|session_res = 200px
| leader4_type = First Secretary
|meeting_place =
| leader4 = [[Olivia Casèl]]
|website = senat.go.mc
| party4 =  
|footnotes =
| 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 {{wp|upper house}} of the legislature of [[Montecara]]. Its members are elected from a combination of {{wp|Functional constituency|social constituencies}} representing various socioeconomic groups in Montecaran society and {{wp|Electoral district|local constituencies}} representing everyone in a limited geographic area.  
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 proposed by the [[Colegio]] as well as {{wp|Initiative|initiatives}} made directly by the [[Popular Assembly]], and has the power to 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. It also elects the [[Colegio]] at the beginning of every four-year mandate.  
== 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 meets in a purpose-built seat, the ''Palaço Capitolìn'', that was constructed in a baroque style and substantially completed in 1315, with major renovations in the 1550s and 1890s.
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:Joseph Heintz dJ Sala Maggior Consiglio Venezia.jpg|300px|left|thumbnail|The Montecaran Senate in session c. 1650]]
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. 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.
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.


[[File:Campidoglio (Palacio Senatorio) September 2015-1.jpg|300px|thumbnail|right|The ''Palaço Capitolìn'']]
== 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.


== Membership ==
=== Legislative procedure ===
According to the [[Constitution of Montecara]], membership in the Senate is apportioned based on a combination of social constituencies representing groups with specific connections to the labor market and local constituencies representing all inhabitants of a given geographic subdivision.  
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.


Social constituencies are represented by senators elected by and from a particular electoral body representing that social group. For example, the [[Montecaran Trade Union Center]] is responsible for electing 30 senators from among its members.
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.  


Local constituencies are represented by senators elected by and from among the citizens of one of eight geographic areas. These areas are intended to form coherent and distinct communities and territories and to ensure broad geographic representation in national decision-making.
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.


Senators are elected to a four-year mandate. There are no {{wp|Term limit|term limits}}.
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.


{| class="wikitable"
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.
|+
! rowspan="15" |Social constituencies
!Jurisdiction
!Represented group
!Electoral body
!Seats
|-
|Trade unions
|Unionized workers
|Montecaran Trade Union Center
|30
|-
| rowspan="2" |Industry and commerce
|Enterprise ownership/management
|Montecaran Chamber of Commerce and Industry
|15
|-
|Small business ownership/management
|Federation of Montecaran Employers
|15
|-
| rowspan="5" |Professions
|Architects and engineers
|Montecaran Society of Architects and Engineers
|2
|-
|Financial professionals
|Montecaran Society of Financiers
|2
|-
|Lawyers
|Barreau Montecarà
|2
|-
|Medical professionals
|Medical Society of Montecara
|2
|-
|Psychologists and social workers
|Psychological Society of Montecara
|2
|-
| rowspan="2" |Trades and crafts
|Artists and artisans
|Guild of Artists and Artisans
|5
|-
|Self-employed trades
|United Guilds of Montecara
|5
|-
|Cooperatives
|Cooperative workers
|Montecaran Congress of Cooperatives
|5
|-
| rowspan="3" |Outside labor market
|Persons with disabilities
|LEGA
|1
|-
|Retirees
|United Pensioners
|1
|-
|University students
|Student Union of the University of Montecara
|1
|-
| colspan="4" |Total social constituencies
|'''88'''
|-
| colspan="5" |
|-
| rowspan="9" |'''Local constituencies'''
|'''District'''
| colspan="2" |'''Population (2020)'''
|'''Seats'''
|-
|1
| colspan="2" |74,805
|2
|-
|2
| colspan="2" |290,876
|7
|-
|3
| colspan="2" |187,803
|4
|-
|4
| colspan="2" |84,305
|2
|-
|5
| colspan="2" |173,498
|4
|-
|6
| colspan="2" |359,040
|8
|-
|7
| colspan="2" |278,854
|6
|-
|8
| colspan="2" |338,431
|8
|-
| colspan="4" |Total local constituencies
|'''41'''
|-
| colspan="4" |'''Total Senate'''
|'''129'''
|}


=== Officers ===
=== Constitutional amendments ===
[[File:Roberto garofoli.jpg|thumb|Senate president [[Everàrd Torsièl]]]]
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.
{| class="wikitable floatright"
 
|-
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.
|+ ''Bancone'' of the Senate
! Office
! Incumbent
|-
| President
| [[Everàrd Torsièl]]
|-
| First Vice-President
| Metelo Adorno
|-
| Second Vice-President
| Aurelia Corxiòn
|-
| First Secretary
| Olivia Casèl
|-
| Second Secretary
| Albìn io Saco
|}
The Senate is presided over by a council of five officers collectively known as the ''Bancone''. This consists of the president, two vice presidents, and two secretaries. The president is 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 secretaries are responsible for organizing and reading out documents, maintaining the Senate's calendar and files, and generally attending to day-to-day operations.


=== Decision-making process ===
=== Treaties ===
The Senate is unusual among legislatures for operating on the basis of {{wp|consensus democracy|consensus}} and deliberation rather than {{wp|majoritarianism}}. While the Senate does take recorded votes, the preferred method of decision-making in both law and custom is to obtain the general consent of the chamber whenever possible.
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.


=== Committees ===
== 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.


==== Standing committees ====
== Committees ==
* Committee on State Affairs
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.
* Committee on Foreign Affairs
* Committee on Finance
* Committee on Defense
* Committee on Security and Police Matters
* Committee on Trade and Industry
* Committee on Social Protection
* Committee on Planning and the Environment
* Committee on Education and Culture


==== Special committees ====
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.
* Executive Committee
* General Committee


== 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

Retrieved from "https://iiwiki.us/mediawiki/index.php?title=Senate_(Montecara)&oldid=695352"