Senate Handbook (Nova Roma)

Revision as of 16:31, 5 August 2008

DRAFT (Pending approval)

Introduction

Over the years a number of handbooks or guides for various Nova Roman offices have been created. This has been done so as to have in one place all of the relevant information on the rules and procedures of a given magistrate or position. It is the intent of the Committee on Rules that this "Senate Handbook" will serve the same function for senators both new and old. It is hoped that this "Vade mecum" (lat. "go with me") will be a useful tool in providing both senators and the Senate's presiding officers with a readily available reference tool for quick and efficient use. It is also our hope that it will also serve as a source of reference for information to help provide, in a clear manner the rules and procedures of the Nova Roman Senate.

It is our goal to have this Senate Handbook available both online and in a downloadable form (printed form).

Within this handbook are the current constitutional and legal rules and procedures of the Nova Roman Senate. It also includes all senatus consulta ("advice of the senate") currently in force.

As always we would like input on updating and improving this "Senate Handbook" so please feel free to drop a note to any member of the Committee at any time.

• C. Equitius Cato (Term ending December 31 2763)
• Dec. Iunius Palladius Invictus (Term ending January 1, 2764)
• Ti. Galerius Paulinus (Term ending January 1, 2764)
• Equestria Iunia Laeca(Term ending January 1, 2765)
• L. Cornelius Sulla Felix (Term ending January 1, 2765)

Ex-offico non-voting members for 2763

• Publius Memmius Albucius, Consul
• Caeso Fabius Buteo Quintilianus, Consul
• Equestria Iunia Laeca, Praetor
• Marca Hortensia Maior,Praetor

Constitutional authority establishing the Nova Roman Senate

The constitution establishes the authority of the Senate:

Rank of Senate actions within our constitutional framework

Constitutional powers of the Senate

The Senate of Nova Roma is empowered by different sections of the constitution to do the following:

• To "issue Senatus consulta (advice of the Senate) on those topics upon which it shall see fit to comment". Source:

• To "exercise control over the aerarium (treasury) and shall oversee the financial endeavors, health, and policy of the state". Source:

• To "prepare a budget for the following year." Said budget is to be adopted no later than November 31st of each year. Source:

• To prepare and "pass supplemental Senatus consulta to modify the annual budget". Source:

• To "impose taxes, fees, or other financial requirements on the citizens in order to maintain the financial welfare of the state". Source:

• To "create provinciae for administrative purposes and appoint provincial governors" of new or existing provinciae. Source:

• To fill a vacancy in an magistrate’s office "should there be less than three months remaining therein". Source:

• To "issue the Senatus consultum ultimum (the ultimate decree of the Senate)". The SCU could empower the Consuls to deal with a given matter or it could appoint a dictator. Source:

• To "enact rules governing its own internal procedures". Source:

• To "serve as the Board of Directors of the corporation", Nova Roma, Inc. Source:

• To ratify alterations to the Constitution as passed by the comitia centuriata; Source:

• To ratify edicta of an appointed Dictator that alters the Constitution Source:

• To "nominate additional families to the Comitia Curiata for elevation to patrician status if this elevation does not cause the Ordo Patricius to exceed 5% of the population of Nova Roma". Source:

• To appoint "an Interrex to serve a term lasting no more than five days".

"should both consular positions be vacant at the same time" "The Interrex shall organize new elections in the Comitia Centuriata to elect two new consuls to serve out the remainder of the previous consuls' term of office". Source:

Legal (Nova Roman) powers of the Senate

WORKING DRAFT

The Senate of Nova Roma is empowered by different Nova Roman laws to do the following:

To designate the ceremonial functions of the decuria lictoria (lictors) Source: Lex Vedia apparitoria

To appoint Tribunus Plebis or Aedilis Plebis because of a lack of candidacies for the annual elections : By extending by one year the term of the magistrate serving in that office, with the consent of that magistrate, or by appointing senators to serve the required magistrate positions Source :Lex Grylla de magistratibus plebis creandis

To approve, along with both Censors an exemption for age for a candidate for office Source: Lex Vedia de magistratuum aetate

To establish the Official fora of Nova Roma. Source:Lex Octavia de sermone

To appoint the Magister Aranearius Source: Lex Apula de magistro araneario

To appoint the Editor Commentariorum and the assistant Editor Commentariorum

To appoint the curator aerarii (fem. curatrix) CFO of Nova Roma, Inc.

To appoint additional Financial Officers to serve as the assistants to the curator aerarii and can substitute for them when needed.

OTHERS TO FOLLOW

Current Senate Procedures

• Rules on convening the Senate
• Procedures for Reporting the Senate's Call to Order
• Rules on defining a Senate Quorum
• Rules and procedures for debate and for the taking of votes in the Senate.
• Senate procedures on Provinces and Provincial governors

The Senate as the Board of Directors of Nova Roma,Inc.