[ Union Laws, Union ]

The Law of Motions is a set of laws that define certain formal actions that senators and ministers can invoke.

For purposes of this law, a Motion is defined as “A formal proposal by a Senator for an Action, in accordance with the Law of Motions.”. An Action in turn is defined as “An activity engaged in by the Unions bodies at the request of the Senate after an official vote on a motion passes.”

Motions must be made in person in the Senate - a motion cannot be made by an aide, through a letter or by Holonet. Seconding a motion need not be done in person - only the primary call for the motion must be made in person. Once a motion has been sufficiently seconded, it is put to a vote to determine if the motion carries.

A motion of no confidence declares the Senate no longer stands behind the Chancellor and Cabinet and demands elections be made immediately without waiting for the next electoral period.

1. A motion of No Confidence must be made by a Senator
   1. The motion must be seconded by at least four Senators before it can be put to a vote.
2. If the motion passes, elections must begin immediately, starting with the opening of the floor for new candidates as per the regular schedule.

A declaration of war is a motion for the Union to go to war with a certain group. It requires military action be taken against that group. The military forces led by the Minister of Defence may decide the best manner to implement this military action.

1. A motion for a declaration of war must be made by the Chancellor or if necessary the Minister of Defence. As a special exception, it may also be made over the holonet in a live feed - but not through a pre-recorded message or holomail.
   1. If both the Minister of Defence and the Chancellor are unavailable or incapacitated, any Senator may make the motion as above.
   2. A motion for a declaration of war must be seconded by two Senators who are not Ministers or Chancellor
2. A declaration of war is voted upon immediately after being called and properly seconded.

A Special Enforcement Motion calls for special forces, Jedi or other operatives to engage in a particular mission.

1. A Special Enforcement Motion must be made by a Minister or Chancellor
   1. It must be seconded by a Senator who is not a Minister or Chancellor
2. A Special Enforcement Motion may not be made against a member of the Union under any circumstances, nor on their territory without permission of that nation.

A motion of Inquiry calls for an official investigation into something. It must be made on the grounds that certain crucial information is not available. A motion of inquiry is automatically denied if the missing information is provided publicly by any party

1. A motion of inquiry may hold up a vote, other motion or discussion, requiring it be put off until the inquiry is completed.
   1. A motion of inquiry requires one senator to second it, if the motion does not hold up a vote or discussion or seconds from three senators if it does hold up a vote.
2. The committee shall contain one Minister (which may be the Chancellor) assigned by the Chancellor
3. The committee shall contain one Senator (who may not be a member of the cabinet) assigned by the Senate in a separate vote
4. The committee shall contain one non-government official with expertise in the field, such as an admiral, a jedi or a scientist
5. The committee may assign additional members by majority vote
6. The committee may give assignments to agencies such as the military, jedi or other parties to provide agents to aid in the investigation
7. The committee must actively investigate the matter. Failure to follow up on leads or similar negligence is punishable by law
8. The committee shall produce a report which will be presented to the Senate, providing the crucial information that was not available or providing evidence that the information is impossible to produce.
9. A held up vote must be re-started once the new information is available.

A motion of support is a no-action motion. If passed, it expresses the support of the Senate for a certain group, event, act, or other matter.

1. A motion of support must be made by a senator
   1. A motion of support must be seconded by two other Senators before it can be put to a vote.

A motion of sadness is a no-action motion. If passed, it expresses the deep sadness of the Senate about the actions of a Minister, Chancellor or committee. The Minister, Chancellor or committee may otherwise continue with their duties as normal.

1. A motion of Sadness must be made by a senator
   1. A motion of sadness must be seconded by two other Senators before it can be put to a vote.
2. No more than one motion of Sadness may be called on a Minister or Chancellor in one electoral period.

A motion of referendum is a no-action motion. If passed, it expresses the support of the Senate for the intended spending of a part of the Contingency budget.

1. A Motion of input must be made by a Minister or Chancellor.
   1. A motion of input must be seconded by two other Senators before it can be put to a vote.
2. A motion of input may list alternative options, instead of a binary yes/no vote.

In senate, a senator can call for a motion in multiple ways, this senator is called the 'mover'.

The mover states the motion, normally prefixed with the phrase “I move.” For instance, a senator may state “I move for special enforcement on the restrictions of trade of spices” If the motion was in writing, the mover would say “I move the resolution at the desk” or “I move the following resolution” and would then read it.