ASG Senate Bill No. 17- Impeachment Process
Transcript of ASG Senate Bill No. 17- Impeachment Process
7/29/2019 ASG Senate Bill No. 17- Impeachment Process
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Associated Student Government1
University of Arkansas2
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ASG Senate Bill No. 17 4
Authors: Senator Grant Addison, Senator Amy West5
Sponsors: Senator Grant Addison, Senator Amy West6
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The ASG Impeachment Process Act of 20138
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Whereas, The Associated Student Government is modeled off of the10
government of the United States of America, a government created11
on a system of checks and balances; and12
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Whereas, The power of the Legislative Branch is a fundamental component of 14
that system of checks and balances, and the singular form of 15
accountability of government officials; and16
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Whereas, The United States Constitution states, “the Senate shall have the18
sole Power to try all Impeachments…” (Article I, Section 3); and 19
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Whereas, The Senate of the Associated Student Government has no such21
constitutional power, and therefore is restricted from their duties of 22
upholding the democratic process; then23
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Be it therefore enacted: Article II – Legislative Branch, Section 7 – Duties and25
Powers of the Legislative Branch, Clause K shall be26
amended to the following:27
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“The power to issue and hear cases of impeachment of 29
any Executive Officer, Cabinet Member, Justice,30
Senator, or Congress Member as outlined by Title 2 – 31
Legislative Code, Section20 – Impeachment Code;”32
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Be it further enacted: Article III – Judicial Branch, Section 10 – 35
Investigation of an Elected or Appointed ASG Agent36
shall be stricken from the ASG Constitution; and37
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Be it further enacted: Title III – Judicial Code, Section 12 – Hearings for an39 Alleged Breach of the Standards of Ethics shall be40
stricken from the ASG Code; and41
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Be it further enacted: Title II – Legislative Code, Section 20 – Impeachment43
Code shall be added to state the following:44
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“Section 20 – Impeachment Code46
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A. No Bill of Impeachment shall be accepted without47
at least a total of one (1) author and an additional four48
(4) sponsors.49
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B. When a Bill of Impeachment is introduced in the51
regular sessions of both the Senate and the Graduate52
Congress, it shall then be read by the separate bodies,53
and voted on as to whether to hear the case. The Bill54
author shall provide an authorship report per each55
bodies’ respective Standing Rules. A simple majority 56
by each body is required to move the case to the next57
meeting.58
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C. If passed, it shall be numbered by both bodies and60
deemed to have been classified as New Business for a61
special Joint Legislative Session of both the Senate62
and the Graduate Congress to be scheduled within63
two (2) weeks of passage.64
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D. A Bill of Impeachment shall not be considered by 66
any committee.67
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F. Except when the Chief Justice is being tried, he/she69
shall preside over the Impeachment Hearing.70
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G. When the Chief Justice is being tried, the Chair of 72
the Senate shall preside over the Impeachment73
Hearing.74
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H. The order of procedure at an Impeachment76Hearing shall be as follows:77
a. The presiding officer shall take the chair and call78
the Impeachment Hearing to order.79
b. The author of the Impeachment Bill shall have the80
right to present his/her opening statement in81
accordance with speaking time limits per the Senate82
Standing Rules.83
c. The accused officer shall have the right to present84
his/her opening statement in accordance with85
speaking time limits per the Senate Standing Rules.86
d. The author of the bill shall have the right to present87his/her evidence, the right to call and question88
witnesses, and the right to take questions from89
Senators and Congress Members in accordance with90
speaking time limits per the Senate Standing Rules.91
e. The accused shall have the right to present his/her92
evidence, the right to call and question witnesses, the93
right to attend or not attend the Hearing, and the94
right to take questions from Senators and Congress95
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Members in accordance with speaking time limits per96
the Senate Standing Rules.97
f. The author of the bill shall have the right to present98
his/her closing statements in accordance with99
speaking time limits per the Senate Standing Rules.100
g. The accused shall have the right to present his/her101
closing statements in accordance with speaking time102
limits per the Senate Standing Rules.103
h. The Joint Legislative Session shall move directly 104
into a vote on the Bill of Impeachment. An aye vote is105
to convict, a nay vote is to acquit, and there is no vote106
to abstain.107
i. A two-thirds majority of Senators and Congress108
Members present is required to convict.109
j. The presiding officer shall announce the result of 110
the vote.111
k. If convicted, the presiding officer shall declare the112
accused removed from office.113
l. If acquitted, the presiding officer shall declare the114
defendant exonerated.115
m. There is no appeals process.116
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I. At any time during which the Senate is in an118
Impeachment Hearing, the author of the Bill of 119
Impeachment may voluntarily remove any or all of the120
charges listed in the Bill.121
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J. The sponsors do not have the power to amend the123
Bill; however, they reserve the right to withdraw their124
sponsorship at any time.125126
K. A vote to convict shall be rendered by a Senator or127
Congress Member only if he/she finds clear and128
convincing evidence that all charges in the final Bill of 129
Impeachment were committed.” 130
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Be it further enacted: Any reference to the Graduate Congress within the132
impeachment process is dependent on the133
Chancellor’s approval of the separate legislative body.134
In the instance it is not approved, all impeachments135
shall be under the purview of Senate, and Senate136alone.137
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Official Use Only139
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Amendments:141
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Vote Count: Aye Nay Abstentions143
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Legislation Status: Passed Failed Other145
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___________________________ ________________148
Mike Norton, ASG Chair of the Senate Date149
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___________________________ ________________151
Tori Pohlner, ASG President Date152