Standing Orders Act, 2025

An Act laying out the initial Standing Orders concerning the Hokorian Assembly, established during its first term and to be held as the rules of the Hokorian Assembly until appeal or amendment in future sessions.

ENACTED by the Koru of the Hokorian State under the Constitution of the Hokorian State.

Part I – Preliminary

Section 1 – Short title

This Act may be cited as the Standing Orders Act, 2025.

Section 2 – Commencement

This Act shall come into force on a date appointed by the Koru.

Section 3 – Interpretation

“Assembly” means Hokorian Assembly.
“Parliamentary Language” means language befitting public debate; no crass or crude language is to be permitted.
“Speaker of the Assembly” another term for the Speaker.
“Elected Member” means a person who has been elected to be a Member of the Hokorian Assembly.
“Motion to Expedite” a power granted by these Standing Orders to the Prime Minister to request a 12 hour voting window rather than the standard 24 hour window. This motion requires another Elected Member to second the motion.
“Motion to Seal” a power granted by these Standing Orders to the Prime Minister to request to seal the proceedings of a debate or vote. This motion requires the approval of the Koru, Prime Minister, and the Speaker of the Assembly and is for usage when the issue motion or debate is deemed a credible threat to National Security.
“Named Member” the named Assembly Member in relation to procedures outlined in the Standing Orders
“Named Minister” the named Minister in relation to procedures outlined in the Standing Orders.
“Suspension” a punishment levied against an Elected Member by the Speaker of the Assembly banning the excluded member from debating or voting until lifted.
“Exclusion” the permanent removal of an Elected Member from the Assembly, the most serious punishment the Assembly can enact and reserved for High Crimes or Gross Misconduct.
“Primus Inter Pares” First Amongst Equals, the temporary honorific title assumed by the Speaker of the Assembly under the conditions outlined in Part III, Section 1, 1, a, ii. and Part III, Section II, 1, a, iii., 1.

Part II – Standing Orders

Section 1 – General Practice

All language used upon the Assembly floor is to match the decorum demanded by general parliamentary language.
Matters on the Assembly Floor are deemed to be of public record and viewable to the public freely.
Classified or Restricted Matters are not to be discussed on the Assembly Floor unless prior dispensation is granted by an authorised person(s).

Section 2 – The Speakership

When the Speakership is vacant at the beginning of a term any elected Assembly Member may put their name forwards for consideration as Speaker of the Assembly.
All names shall be compiled into a ballot; organised by the sitting Speaker and submitted to the Assembly Members for a private vote.
1. In a situation where the sitting Speaker is again in contention for another term as Speaker – the Koru shall assume the responsibility of organising and handling the Speakership Election.
The method used to vote for the Speaker shall be Ranked Choice Voting.
Upon the elimination of all but the lowest ranked candidate across the number of rounds necessary to ensure a majority for the winning candidate – they shall be declared the Speaker for the next term.
The Candidate who ranked second in the election shall be offered the role of Deputy Speaker – to stand in when the Speaker of the Assembly is unavailable to perform their role.

Section 3 – Bills and Motions

Any Elected Member of the Assembly is permitted to introduce a bill or motion.
1. Once a motion or bill is presented; the Speaker is to open debate for a period of 24 hours.
After the 24 hour debate period outlined in Part II, Section 3, 1, a., the Speaker shall open voting on the proposed issue
1. Should the motion or bill be withdrawn by the original proposer the voting process is terminated with immediate effect.

Section 4 – Voting

Voting is to be opened by the Speaker as outlined in Part II, Section 3, 2.
1. Voting may only be opened should a quorum set at 50% of the total number of Elected Members be present to vote.
  1. Should a bill fail to meet quorum once it is opened for voting it is declared tabled pending a revote at a later time due to not being affirmed or voted down.
The Speaker is authorised to alter the standard voting window on a motion at the behest of the Prime Minister.
1. If no Motion to Expedite is requested then the standard voting window shall be a period of 24 hours from the opening of voting.
Voting shall occur in a forum where only other Elected Members can observe.
1. In occurrences of a Motion to Seal from the Prime Minister; voting shall return to the former method of privately submitted ballots to the Speaker.
2. Elected Members are permitted to change their votes; provided they have cast a vote and are still within the 24 hour window that voting is open for.
  1. Elected Members shall either vote “Aye” or “Nay”.
  2. Elected Members may refrain from voting and will be labelled “In Absentia” regardless of if they were present for the vote.
3. Upon the Conclusion of the Vote the Speaker shall name the Elected Member and their vote on the Assembly Floor as a matter of public record.
In matters of National Security outside the scope of a Motion to Seal, such as a Motion to Suspend a State of Emergency, voting will adopt a different set of rules.
1. Votes shall be privately submitted to the Speaker and have 12 hours to do so.
2. Elected Members may not change their votes; this is the only exemption to Part II, Section 4, 3, b.
3. Upon the Conclusion of the Vote the Speaker shall announce the result of the vote by proclaiming “The Motion Passes” or “The Motion Fails”.
  1. Elected Members and their votes shall not be announced as an exemption to Part V, Section 32, 1 of the Constitution.
  2. This measure is deemed legal per Part V, Section 29, 1 of the Constitution permitting Standing Orders to make exceptions to the Constitutional requirement to make available votes by Elected Members on the Public Record.

Section 5 – Reprimands of Elected Members

Should an Elected Member be in violation of the Standing Orders a reprimand may be levied against the named member.
1. These reprimands can range from a request to retract a comment to expulsion from the Assembly.
Reprimands from the Assembly are issued in conjunction with legal consequences depending on severity; and the Assembly shall work in conjunction with the Justice Ministry to pursue the appropriate resolution.
The Reprimands available to the Assembly are as follows.
1. Request to Withdraw Comment; this reprimand lies solely with the Speaker of the Assembly, or Deputy Speaker if they are overseeing the session.
  1. A Request to Withdraw Comment shall be issued in the case of any violations of Part II, Section 1, 1. Should the named Elected Member comply no further action is needed.
2. Suspension from the Session; this reprimand lies solely with the Speaker of the Assembly, or Deputy Speaker if they are overseeing the session.
  1. A Suspension from the Session shall occur if an Elected Member repeatedly refuses a Request to Withdraw Comment, or violates Part II, Section 1, 3 of these Standing Orders.
    1. Violations of Part II, Section 1, 3 shall also be turned over to the Justice Ministry to pursue the appropriate legal penalties.
  2. A Suspension shall also occur in the case of an Elected Member being subject to a Criminal Case that pertains to High Crimes such as treason, or general abuse of power and office.
    1. Elected Members in Civil Cases will not be suspended.
3. Expulsion from the Assembly; this reprimand lies with the wider Assembly.
  1. Expulsion from the Assembly is the final reprimand of the Assembly and requires the assent of the Speaker, Prime Minister, and a Majority Vote of 75%.
  2. An Expulsion vote can only occur if the following conditions are met.
    1. Gross Misconduct, such as an Elected Member failing to attend a single debate or vote in 6 months.
    2. Has been reprimanded with Suspension twice in the current session.
    3. Has been found guilty of treason or abuse of office in a court of law.

Part III – Procedures for Extraordinary Events

Section 1 – Votes of Confidence against the Government

Any Elected Member may motion for a Vote of No Confidence in the Government once per 6 months.
1. A majority of 51% is required for a Confidence Vote to pass the Assembly.
  1. Should such a motion pass; the Government is directed to formally resign within 48 hours and new elections are to be held no later than 96 hours after the Vote of No Confidence.
  2. In this time; the Speaker of the Assembly shall assume the position of Primus Inter Pares and lead the Interim Government until the conclusion of the new elections and swearing in of new Elected Members.
2. Should the threshold of 51% not be reached; the Government wins the Vote of No Confidence and cannot be impeached for a period of 6 months.

Section 2 – Votes of Confidence against the Prime Minister

Any Elected Member of the Prime Minister’s Party may motion for a Vote of No Confidence in the Prime Minister once per 6 months.
1. A majority of 51% is required of the Elected Members who are part of the Governing Party.
  1. Should the threshold be reached; the Prime Minister is directed to notify the Speaker and the Koru within 24 hours of their intention to resign.
  2. After the Koru’s Office and the Speaker’s Office have been informed of the intention to resign; the Prime Minister is further directed to formally resign within 2 hours by means of a public address on the Assembly Floor.
  3. The Deputy Prime Minister is directed to be recognised as the Prime Minister.
    1. Should no Deputy Prime Minister be named; the Speaker of the Assembly shall assume the mantle of Primus Inter Pares until a new Prime Minister is selected via internal party mechanisms.
  4. Should the Prime Minister not comply with the directives issued within these Standing Orders; they are subject to removal by the Koru and/or Exclusion by the Speaker of the Assembly.
2. Should the threshold of 51% not be reached; the Prime Minister wins the Vote of No Confidence and cannot be impeached for a period of 6 months.

Section 3 – Votes of Confidence against the Speaker of the Assembly

Should the Speaker be in violation of the Standing Orders or Constitution; any Elected Member may motion for a Vote of No Confidence in the Speaker.
1. A majority of 51% is required for a Confidence Vote to Pass the Assembly.
  1. Should the threshold be reached; the Speaker of the Assembly is directed to transfer all powers and privileges to their Deputy Speaker.
    1. Should no Deputy Speaker exist; the rules around Speakership elections in Part II, Section 2 of these Standing Orders are to be followed to choose a new Speaker of the Assembly.
  2. The Former Speaker of the Assembly is not permitted to seek the Speakership again in the subsequent vote; and may not hold a role in the Speakership Structure until the next Assembly.
2. Should the threshold of 51% not be reached; the Prime Minister wins the Vote of No Confidence and cannot be impeached for a period of 6 months.

Section 4 – Votes of Confidence against a Minister

Any Elected Member of the Governing Party may motion for a Vote of No Confidence in the named Minister once per 6 months.
1. A majority of 51% is required of the Elected Members who are part of the Governing Party.
  1. Should the threshold be reached; the Minister is directed to inform the Prime Minister of their intention to resign within 24 hours.
  2. After notifying the Prime Minister of their intention; the named Minister is to inform the Assembly of their formal resignation within 6 hours.
2. Upon their formal resignation; the Prime Minister is directed to appoint the named Minister’s replacement within 24 hours.
3. Should the threshold of 51% not be reached; the named Minister wins the Vote of No Confidence and cannot be impeached for a period of 6 months.

Section 5 – State of Emergency

Per Part VIII, Section 45, 1 of the Constitution of the Hokorian State; upon the advice of the Prime Minister the Koru may declare a State of Emergency.
1. Per Part VIII, Section 46, 3 the Assembly may overturn a State of Emergency by means of a Motion to Suspend.
Under the powers granted to the Assembly under Part VIII, Section 46, 3 of the Constitution – the process for overturning a State of Emergency is as follows.
1. Any Elected Member, including the Speaker of the Assembly, is permitted to introduce a Motion to Suspend to the Assembly floor.
2. A 24 hour period of debate is to follow wherein Elected Members are authorised to summon any citizen to present evidence in favour and against the state of emergency.
  1. All officials regardless of their role in relation to state security are ordered to respond to summons issued by an Elected Member to answer questions and give testimony before the Assembly.
3. Upon the conclusion of the debate period a private vote per Part II, Section 4, 4 shall determine if the State of Emergency shall either be overturned or kept in effect.
  1. There are no limits on how many Motions to Suspend can be held provided they are no more than once per 168 hours (1 week).
4. Should a State of Emergency be overturned; the Assembly shall be granted permission to launch an Inquiry into the conduct of the Prime Minister, whose advice is paramount to calling a State of Emergency.
  1. If the result of the Inquiry finds evidence of foul play by the Prime Minister then a Vote of No Confidence may be called regardless of if they are currently protected from a Confidence Vote per Part III, Section 2, b.
  2. There is no expectation or legal requirement under current law for an Inquiry or Confidence Vote to be held; but under these Standing Orders the Assembly reserves the right to pursue this course of action.