Book:Constitution of Caraqua



CONSTITUTION

COMMONWEALTH OF CARAQUA

1 January 1953

Section 1 - Basics
1. The name of the state is the Commonwealth of Caraqua.

2. All powers herein vested by this Constitution derive from God exercised through the Crown on behalf of the citizens of the Commonwealth.

3. The Commonwealth is a unitary constitutional monarchy.

4. The flag of the Commonwealth will be green, in the canton the Union Jack, and in the field the outline of a white star above a white pine tree.

5. The coat of arms of the Commonwealth will be or, a pine tree vert, the chief divided quarterly: first and fourth: gules three lions passant or (for England), second: or a lion rampant gules within a double tressure flory-counter-flory (for Scotland), third: azure a harp or stringed argent (for Ireland) supported by two lions or with the motto "Appellatio interpo ad coelum."

6. The capital of the Commonwealth will be Philadelphia.

7. The official language of the Commonwealth will be English.

8. This constitution will be the supreme law of the Commonwealth.

Section 2 - Declarations of the state
9. The Commonwealth will promote democracy, honesty, openness, and fairness in all its activities and in the civil service.

10. The Commonwealth will promote peace and goodwill among all nations and peoples.

11. The Commonwealth will promote peace, order, and good governance within its territory.

12. The role of the Sovereign as the supreme governor of the Church of England will not interfere with other churches, religions, or beliefs nor create preference to the Church of England in matters of state and law.

Section 3 - Citizenship
13. Every person holding citizenship will be afforded to them the rights, privileges, and responsibilities as described in this constitution and as Parliament may by law describe.

14. All persons residing within the territory of the Commonwealth at the time of the ratification of this constitution, excluding the indigenous tribes, are hereby granted citizenship of the Commonwealth.

15. From hereon after, citizenship may only be conferred onto persons who are either —
 * (a) the child of a citizen;
 * (b) the spouse of a citizen to whom they have been married for three years or;
 * (c) have met the requirements of citizenship not herein described that Parliament may by law provide.

16. All persons lawfully residing within the territory of the Commonwealth but who are not citizens will be regarded as nationals of the Commonwealth.

Section 4 - Territory
17. The sovereignty of the Commonwealth will extend over the territories of —
 * (a) New Amsterdam;
 * (b) Pennsylvania;
 * (c) Upper Louisiana and Illinois Country.

18. Sovereignty of the Commonwealth will extend over waters not more than twelve nautical miles from the territorial coastline. Thence the Commonwealth will have exclusive economic rights to waters not more than two hundred nautical miles, in accordance to rules set by international law. 19. Sovereignty of the Commonwealth may extend over additional territories in accordance with law enacted by Parliament.

Section 1 - The Sovereign
20. The Sovereign, at the time of ratification of this constitution, Elizabeth II, is the head of state of the Commonwealth and will be known by such royal titles and styles as Parliament may by law bestow.

21. Upon the demise of the Sovereign, succession of her heirs will be immediate and absolute.

22. Upon the ascension of a new Sovereign, all members of Parliament and the Executive Council will assemble within forty-eight hours to proclaim and declare their allegiance to the new Sovereign.

23. The Sovereign will exercise certain powers by means of royal prerogatives and letters patent as the head of state and will act on the advice of the President of the Executive Council and ministers of the Executive Council.

24. The Sovereign will be commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces and will have the power to declare war.

25. The Crown will be the corporation sole of the powers and rights of the Sovereign and their exercise by the Executive Council and its ministers. No reference to the Crown in any statue will be construed as to be referring to any other organization or association maintained by the state with their own corporation.

Section 2 - The Governor-General
26. The Governor-General will be appointed by the Sovereign and will act as their representative in the Commonwealth and will exercise the Sovereign's powers in their place.

27. The Governor-General will serve at the Sovereign's pleasure.

28. The Governor-General will be paid, from the treasury of the Commonwealth, a salary to be fixed by law, but no law varying the salary of the Governor-General will take effect until the start of the next Governor-General's term.

29. Whenever the Governor-General is absent from the Commonwealth, is unable to exercise the powers and duties of the office, or has vacated the office, the Chief Magistrate of the Commonwealth will serve in the Governor-General's place as the Administrator of the Commonwealth until such time as the Governor-General is able to resume exercise of the powers and duties of the office or until the Sovereign appoints a new Governor-General.

30. If the Chief Magistrate is unable to assume the powers and duties of the Governor-General in accordance with article 29, the next most senior judge of the Supreme Court will assume the powers and duties of the Governor-General as the Administrator of the Commonwealth.

31. The Governor-General will ensure that all royal prerogatives concerning the Commonwealth of Caraqua are enacted.

32. The Governor-General will act on the advice of the President of the Executive Council and its ministers.

33. The Governor-General will represent the Commonwealth at all international functions and will receive all heads of state, heads of government, and other foreign dignitaries visiting the Commonwealth.

34. The Governor-General will inspect the credentials of all foreign diplomats and ambassadors.

35. Upon the opening of a parliamentary term, the Sovereign or Governor-General will address all members of Parliament, informing them of such matters and issues they deem to be of importance.

Section 3 - The Executive Council
36. There will be an Executive Council to advise the Governor-General which will consist of the President and a number of ministers to be determined by law but not fewer than three.

37. The Governor-General will appoint the President who will serve at his pleasure but not for a term longer than eight years.

38. Only persons who are a member of Parliament may be appointed as President.

39. The President will appoint the ministers of the Executive Council. Only persons who are members of Parliament will be appointed to the Executive Council and will serve at Parliament's pleasure.

40. The President of the Executive Council will have the right to request the Governor-General to dissolve Parliament and issue a writ of election for members of the House of Commons, notwithstanding the provisions of article 77.

41. In the event of Parliament's dissolution, members of the Executive Council will continue to hold their offices until the first meeting of the next Parliament.

42. The President will, at least once per year, inform Parliament on the state of the Commonwealth and recommend to them measures he deems necessary.

43. In the event any member of the Executive Council dies, resigns, is expelled, or otherwise departs from Parliament, they will immediately cease to be a member of the Executive Council.

44. The Executive Council will have the power, with the consent of three-fifths of the members, to issue Orders in Council to enact and implement acts of Parliament and to carry out other functions of state.

45. The Executive Council will meet at least twice per year and will meet in matters regarding —
 * (a) regulations established by Orders in Council;
 * (b) establishing public inquires as Parliament may by law commence;
 * (c) proclamations of the Governor-General;
 * (d) appointments to the civil service and other ministries.

46. The Governor-General, or the Administrator of the Commonwealth under the provisions of article 29, will preside over meetings of the Executive Council.

47. The Governor-General, or Administrator of the Commonwealth under the provisions of article 29, may appoint a delegate to preside over meetings with the consent of the Executive Council. 48. For the purposes of this section, "meeting" means the gathering of at least half of the members of the Executive Council in a manner as to enable instant communication between all members present.

49. There will be a Clerk of the Executive Council who will be appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the President of the Executive Council.

50. The Clerk of the Executive Council, or whomever they shall delegate, will certify a quorum is present before a meeting of the Executive Council commences. 51. The Clerk of the Executive Council will not be considered a member of the Executive Council under the provisions of this section.

52. The Clerk of the Executive Council will have the duty to —
 * (a) advise the Governor-General of matters affecting that office;
 * (b) provide a channel of communication between the Governor-General, the President of the Executive Council, members of the Executive Council, the Speaker of the House of Commons, and the President of the Senate;
 * (c) record the proceedings of the Executive Council, omitting what three-fourths of the members have deemed ought to be secret;
 * (d) countersign proclamations issued by the Governor-General and Orders in Council;
 * (e) maintain the honors system of the Commonwealth;
 * (f) act as a liaison between the Sovereign and the Executive Council;
 * (g) send notice of meeting to the members of the Executive Council and prepare agendas for meetings.

53. Parliament may require action by the Executive Council in any law enacted by inserting the words "in Council" in the relevant provision.

Section 1 - Parliament in whole
54. Legislative power is vested in Parliament.

55. Parliament will consist of the Senate and the House of Commons.

56. Parliament will have supremacy over all areas and matters it deems necessary to effect peace, order, and good governance in the Commonwealth.

57. Parliament will assemble at least once per year and no where else but in Philadelphia and neither chamber may adjourn for more than three days without the consent of the other chamber.

58. Parliament will have the power to provide for the qualification of voters for members of the House of Commons. Each voter for the House of Commons will have one vote.

59. Parliament will not make any law that cannot be repealed by a future parliament.

60. Both chambers of Parliament may choose their other staff and make rules for their proceedings, including the formation of committees to consider legislation and authorization to compel the attendance of absent members.

61. Both chambers of Parliament will keep a record of their proceedings and publish the same at least once every year. Both chambers may omit records of their proceedings that three-fifths of the members present deem require secrecy.

62. All members of Parliament will be immune from arrest during their term in office except in cases of treason or other felony offense.

63. All members of Parliament will have parliamentary privilege and be immune from civil suit regarding any speech made within a session of Parliament.

64. All members of Parliament will be paid, from the treasury of the Commonwealth, a salary to be fixed by law, but no law varying the salary of members of Parliament will take effect until after the next election of the House of Commons.

65. All members of Parliament will not hold any other office of the Commonwealth besides minister of the Executive Council during their term in Parliament, serve in both chambers of Parliament concurrently, or accept any gift more than one hundred fifty dollars in value without the consent of the chamber of which they are a member.

66. Any member of Parliament may be expelled upon the concurrence of two-thirds of the chamber of which they are a member.

67. All members of Parliament before taking their seats will swear the following oath —
 * (a) "I (name) do solemnly swear allegiance and fealty to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, that I will support, protect, and defend the Constitution of the Commonwealth, and that I will perform with honor the duties of the (House of Commons or Senate)."
 * (b) the name of the Sovereign, if no longer Elizabeth II, will be properly substituted.

Section 2 - The Senate
68. The Senate will consist of members appointed by the Governor-General, the number of which will be ascertained by law but not fewer than twenty four.

69. The Senate will be divided into three classes as evenly as possible. In the first Parliament, the terms of members of the first class will expire after two years, the terms of members of the second class will expire after four years, and the terms of members of the third class will expire after six years, and for all subsequent Parliaments the terms of all members will expire after six years, so that one third of the members will be appointed every two years.

70. Only persons who are a citizen of the Commonwealth, at least thirty years of age, and have resided within the Commonwealth for at least ten years consecutively may be appointed to the Senate.

71. Whenever there is a vacancy in the Senate, the Governor-General may appoint a replacement who will serve the remainder of the vacated member's term.

72. Half of the members of the Senate present will constitute a quorum.

73. The Senate may choose their president and temporary president from among their members.

74. The Senate will have the power to try all impeachments of officers of the Commonwealth. When sitting for this purpose, all members of the Senate will be under oath and the concurrence of two-thirds of the members of the Senate will be required to convict. Conviction by the Senate will extend only to removal from office and, upon the concurrence of a majority of the members of the Senate, disqualification to hold any further office of the Commonwealth.

75. The Senate, upon the concurrence of two-thirds of the members, will have the power to ratify treaties to which the Commonwealth may be a party.

Section 3 - The House of Commons
76. The House of Commons will consist of members elected directly by the people to represent a constituent district for a term of two years, the boundaries and number of which to be ascertained by law but not fewer than seventy-two.

77. The day of election for members of the House of Commons will be first Saturday of November and they will take their seats on the first Monday of January.

78. All members of the House of Commons will reside in the constituent district they represent.

79. Only persons who are a citizen of the Commonwealth, at least twenty five years of age, and have resided in the Commonwealth for at least six years consecutively may be elected to the House of Commons.

80. Whenever there is a vacancy in the House of Commons, the Governor-General will issue a writ of election not longer than twenty days after the vacancy occurred to choose a replacement for the remainder of the vacated member's term unless the vacancy occurs within six months of the next election of the House of Commons.

81. Half of the members of the House of Commons will constitute a quorum.

82. The House of Commons may choose their speaker from among their members.

83. The House of Commons will have the power to impeach any officer of the Commonwealth excepting the Governor-General.

Section 4 - Legislation
84. Except as provided in this section, both chambers of Parliament will have equal power in proposing legislation.

85. All money bills will originate in the House of Commons but may be amended in the Senate as with other legislation.

86. Money bills are bills that either —
 * (a) impose a tax or raise an existing tax;
 * (b) allocate or appropriate money from the treasury, not including salaries of officers of the Commonwealth;
 * (c) borrow money on the credit of the Commonwealth or;
 * (d) re-authorizes a prior-enacted money bill.

87. Bills that appropriate money for the annual functions of the government of the Commonwealth will not contain any provisions not relevant to such functions.

88. All bills introduced in either chamber of Parliament will undergo the procedure described as follows before becoming law —
 * (a) in the first reading, the title of the bill and a summary of its provisions will be read;
 * (b) the bill will then be referred to an appropriate committee that either chamber may by their rules establish to consider legislation;
 * (c) in the second reading, the bill will be deliberated by the chamber wherein it originated and the committee, if it has been referred to one, will vote on whether to advance the bill to the third reading —
 * (i) if the bill had not been referred to a committee, the chamber wherein it was introduced will vote in whole whether to advance the bill to the third reading.
 * (d) in the third reading, the bill be debated and may be amended before a vote is held by the chamber wherein in whole the bill was introduced whether to advance it to the other chamber, wherein the the bill will undergo the same process as described in this article;
 * (e) after the bill has undergone the same process, any amendments made to the bill will be considered by the other chamber, and if they approve, the bill will be referred to the Governor-General who may grant royal assent in the Sovereign's name;
 * (f) the Sovereign may rescind royal assent granted by the Governor-General in her name within one year of such assent being granted;
 * (g) all bills granted royal assent and made law will be assigned a number and published in the gazette of Parliament and will not take effect until at least thirty days after such publication. The Governor-General may waive this thirty-day period for legislation he deems urgent.

Section 1 - The Supreme Court
89. Judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court and other inferior courts described in this constitution and that Parliament may by law establish.

90. The Supreme Court will consist of the Chief Magistrate and associate justices, the number of which to be fixed by law but not fewer than two.

91. The Supreme Court will be the court of last resort and hear appeals from circuit courts.

92. The Supreme Court will have original jurisdiction over —
 * (a) cases pertaining to a treaty to which the Commonwealth is a party;
 * (b) cases involving ambassadors of the Commonwealth and of foreign states;
 * (c) cases seeking to have a writ of mandamus, prohibition, or injunction issued against an officer of the Commonwealth;
 * (d) suits against the Commonwealth or a person acting on behalf of the Commonwealth.

93. The Supreme Court may choose its other staff and make rules for its proceedings.

94. The Chief Magistrate and associate justices will be paid, from the treasury of the Commonwealth, a salary to be fixed by law.

95. The Marshal of the Commonwealth will provide security to the Supreme Court and inferior courts as needed and will enforce decisions made by the Supreme Court.

Section 2 - Inferior courts
96. Inferior courts will consist of —
 * (a) circuit courts;
 * (b) superior courts;
 * (c) county courts.

97. For the purposes of this section, the Commonwealth will be divided into circuits along county boundaries, the number of which to be determined by law but not fewer than three, each having a circuit court having jurisdiction over appeals from superior and county courts within.

98. Principal cities and incorporated cities will have a superior court that will hear cases originating within their municipal boundaries.

99. Superior courts may be divided into branches by the city council in accordance to the types of cases heard.

100. Counties will have county courts that will hear cases originating within their county boundaries.

101. Parliament will by law provide for courts of the Armed Forces and other specialty courts it deems necessary.

Section 3 - Judges
102. The Chief Magistrate, associate justices of the Supreme Court, and judges of circuit and superior courts will retire at the age of seventy-five.

103. The Chief Magistrate, associate justices of the Supreme Court, circuit judges, and the Marshal of the Supreme Court will be appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the President of the Executive Council and with the consent of the Senate.

104. Judges of superior courts and county courts will be appointed or elected in accordance to their city or county's charter.

105. Circuit judges, superior judges, and county judges will reside within the circuit, municipality, or county they are assigned to.

Section 1 - Organization
106. Local government will consist of municipalities and counties.

107. For the purposes of this section, the Commonwealth will be divided into counties, the number and boundaries of which to be determined by law.

108. Executive and legislative power of municipalities and counties will be vested in their respective councils, in accordance with their charters.

109. Municipal and county charters will be adopted under the supervision of Parliament.

110. Each county may establish a charter to govern procedure in regards to —
 * (a) the manner of election of its board, sheriff, and other officers;
 * (b) budgets and bonds;
 * (c) rules concerning the establishment and governance of principal cities, incorporated cities, towns, villages, and communities;
 * (d) establishment of school districts.

111. Every county will provide in its charter for a —
 * (a) clerk;
 * (b) sheriff;
 * (c) judge;
 * (d) prosecutor;
 * (e) treasurer;
 * (f) comptroller;
 * (h) archivist.

112. Municipalities will be categorized into five classes determined by population —
 * (a) Principal city; more than five-hundred thousand residents;
 * (b) Incorporated city; more than one-hundred thousand residents;
 * (c) Town; more than fifty-thousand residents;
 * (d) Village; more than ten-thousand residents;
 * (e) Community; fewer than ten-thousand residents.

113. Principal cities and incorporated cities may establish a charter to govern procedure in regards to —


 * (a) the manner of election of its council, mayor, and other officers;
 * (b) taxation;
 * (c) budgets and bonds;
 * (d) municipal boundaries;
 * (e) establishment of school districts;
 * (f) establishment of other districts as they may by ordinance or Parliament may by law create.

114. Every principal city and incorporated city will provide in its charter for a —
 * (a) mayor;
 * (b) chief of police;
 * (c) clerk;
 * (d) treasurer;
 * (e) comptroller.

115. Municipal and county councils will provide for and maintain —
 * (a) law enforcement and fire protection;
 * (b) public infrastructure and transportation;
 * (c) schools and school boards;
 * (d) waste collection and water processing;
 * (e) public libraries.

116. Every municipal and county ordinance will be published in a local gazette for public notification.

117. Municipal and county councils will consist of not more than eight and not fewer than three members elected by the residents of the municipality or county for a term not longer than four years.

118. Executive and legislative power in towns, villages, and communities will be vested in the county council of the county where they are located.

119. Municipal and county councils may agree to consolidate their functions upon the consent of Parliament.

120. Parliament may by law establish and define the privileges and immunities of municipal and county council members

Section 1 - Natural resources
121. Until Parliament by law otherwise provides, the following natural resources will be considered under the domain of the Commonwealth —
 * (a) internal waters;
 * (b) coal;
 * (c) petroleum;
 * (d) fisheries;
 * (e) minerals;
 * (f) timber;
 * (g) natural wildlife;
 * (h) flora and fauna.

122. Until Parliament by law otherwise provides, the discovery, development, and utilization of natural resources will be under the review of the Commonwealth, with cooperation with such corporations and individuals, public or private, that Parliament may by law designate.

123. Corporations or individuals, public or private, that have been designated to cooperate with the Commonwealth under the provisions of article 122, will be at least ninety per cent owned by citizens of the Commonwealth, or be a citizen of the Commonwealth under the provisions of article 15.

124. Any agreement of cooperation between corporations or individuals, public or private, and the Commonwealth for the purposes of the discovery, development, or utilization of natural resources will be for a period not longer than fifteen years, renewable under conditions that Parliament may by law set.

125. Lands held or owned by corporations or individuals, public or private, used for agricultural purposes will not be affected by any article in this section.

Section 2 - Property
126. Until Parliament by law otherwise provides, the following will be considered property of the Commonwealth —
 * (a) public harbors;
 * (b) lighthouses;
 * (c) rivers;
 * (d) railroads;
 * (e) military roads;
 * (f) public works;
 * (g) all buildings constructed for use by the Commonwealth.

127. All revenues derived from property owned by the Commonwealth will be placed into the treasury and no tax will be imposed on property owned by the Commonwealth.

Section 3 - Finance and trade
128. Parliament will have the exclusive power to impose duties and customs on goods imported to or goods exported from the Commonwealth. All duties and customs imposed on goods imported to or exported from the Commonwealth will be uniform across the Commonwealth.

129. Duties and customs will not be imposed on all goods traded or exchanged within the Commonwealth.

130. Whenever the treasury reports a surplus in revenue, Parliament may by law distribute such surplus to municipalities and counties for the support of their functions.

Section 1 - Fundamental rights
131. Every person has the right to life.

132. Every person has freedom of religion.

133. Every person has freedom of speech.

134. Every person has freedom of association.

135. Every person has freedom of movement within the Commonwealth.

136. Every person has the right to be secure in their bodies and homes and will have freedom from unreasonable arrests, searches, or seizures. Warrants to arrest, search, or seize may only be issued under oath and must describe the person to be arrested, the charge against them, the place to be searched, or the thing to be seized.

137. No private property will be taken by the Commonwealth for public use without fair compensation.

138. Every defendant has the right to confront their accuser, hear the charges against them, and be tried in open and public court in a timely manner.

139. Every defendant has the right to be tried by a jury of their peers.

140. Every defendant has the right to counsel.

141. Every defendant has the right to remain silent.

142. No defendant will be made to testify or be a witness against themselves.

143. Every defendant will be free from cruel or unusual punishment.

144. Every defendant will be paid at least eighty percent of the minimum wage for any labor performed while incarcerated.

Section 2 - Workers' rights
145. Every worker has the right to seek employment.

146. Every worker has the right to a fair minimum wage, to be established by law.

147. Until Parliament may by law change, the length of the regular work week will be forty hours. Every worker will be paid at least one and a half times their regular rate of pay for every hour worked beyond the regular work week.

148. Every worker has the right to rest and leisure.

149. Every worker has the right to a safe workplace.

150. Every worker has the right to be treated with dignity on the job.

151. No worker will be made to work more than fourteen hours consecutively and with no fewer than eight hours in between each working shift, with exemptions as Parliament may by law create.

152. No worker may be discriminated for employment on the basis of race or sex and reasonable accommodations will be made for workers with limited ability.

153. Every worker has the right to collectively bargain and form a trade union.

154. The Commonwealth will prioritize and encourage the employment of citizens of the Commonwealth within the territory of the Commonwealth.

155. No person will be held in bondage of involuntary labor.

Section 3 - Women's rights
156. The law will recognize the equality of men and women.

157. Every woman has the right to bodily integrity. No woman will be subjected to genital mutilation, involuntary sterilization, or forced termination of pregnancy.

158. Every woman has the right to paid maternal leave, the duration of which to be determined by law.

159. Every woman has the right to choose her spouse.

160. Every woman will be free from physical and sexual abuse.

Section 4 - Children's rights
161. A child is any person under the age of eighteen.

162. Every child has the right to a name.

163. Every child has the right to an education.

164. Every child has the right to adult guardians.

165. Every child has the right to play and associate with their peers.

166. Every child has the right to be informed, in a manner appropriate to their capability of understanding, of decisions made in regards to their physical and mental health.

167. Every child will be free from physical and sexual abuse.

168. Every child will be free from exploitation of their labor, with exemptions as Parliament may by law create.

169. The minimum wage for an exempted child worker will be the same as for adult workers.

170. The wages of an exempted child worker will be placed into a trust account maintained by the Commonwealth which will be inaccessible to any person until the exempted child worker's eighteenth birthday.

171. No child will be married.

172. No child under the age of seven will be charged with an offense, put on trial, imprisoned, or put to death.

173. No child under the age of seventeen will serve in the Armed Forces or be conscripted.

Section 5 - Family rights
174. The law will recognize the family as the basic unit of society.

175. Every man and woman at least eighteen years of age has the right to marry and start a family.

176. The Commonwealth will take care to encourage and promote the development of families.

Section 6 - Political rights
177. Every citizen at least eighteen years of age has the right to vote in elections for the House of Commons and in national referendums.

178. Every person has the right to peaceful assembly.

179. Every person has the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

180. Every person has the right to cooperate with one another for their political interests.

181. Every person who meets the qualifications set by this constitution has the right to stand for public office.

182. Every foreign national who is being persecuted or has a reasonable fear of being persecuted on the basis of religion, sex, race, or political affiliation has the right to seek asylum in the Commonwealth.

Section 7 - Violations and enforcement

183. Every person has the right to effective and competent remedy by the courts for violations and encroachments of the rights herein before described.

Section 1 - Amending the constitution by convention
184. Parliament may, upon the concurrence of a majority of the members of the Senate and House of Commons, call a convention to propose amendments to this constitution.

185. Parliament will not call more than two constitutional conventions within a seven-year period.

186. A convention to amend this constitution will consist members elected by the people, the number of which to be equal to the combined number of members of the House of Commons and the Senate, for the duration of the convention which will be not longer than one and a half years.

187. Only persons who are a citizen of the Commonwealth, at least twenty-one years of age, and not an officer of the Commonwealth or a member of Parliament at the time of election may be member of a constitutional convention.

188. Amendments proposed within a constitutional convention will be adopted and ratified as part of this constitution upon the concurrence of two-thirds of the members of the convention.

Section 2 - Amending the constitution by referendum
189. Parliament may, upon the concurrence of two-thirds of the members of the Senate and House of Commons, submit to the people in a national referendum proposed amendments to this constitution.

190. Proposed amendments to the constitution submitted to the people by Parliament will be adopted and ratified as part of this constitution upon receiving at least fifty-five percent of the votes cast in favor.

Section 1 - Indigenous rights
191. Indigenous peoples of the Commonwealth have the right to speak their native languages. The Commonwealth will take measures to support the existence of such languages and prevent their extinction.

192. Indigenous peoples of the Commonwealth will be protected from discrimination on the basis of their tribal status.

193. Indigenous peoples of the Commonwealth have the right, within their nations, to form a government to make and enforce their own laws within the limits of this constitution and under the review of Parliament.

194. The following tribes are hereby recognized as autonomous indigenous nations within the Commonwealth —
 * (a) Chippewa;
 * (b) Menominee;
 * (c) Miami;
 * (d) Shawnee;
 * (e) Iroquois;
 * (f) Cayuga;
 * (h) Seneca;
 * (i) Mohawk;
 * (j) Potawatomi;
 * (k) Onodaga;
 * (l) Winnebago.

195. Parliament may by law recognize additional autonomous indigenous nations.

196. No indigenous national lands will be exploited for economic purposes without the consent of the tribal government concerned.

197. The Commonwealth will maintain cooperation and communication with tribal governments to foster mutual understanding, prosperity, and peaceful coexistence.

198. Any treaties between the Commonwealth and indigenous nations signed and ratified by Parliament will not supersede this constitution.

Section 2 - Municipal and county taxation limit
199. No principal city or incorporated city may impose a tax on income greater than two percent per year.

200. No county may impose a tax on income greater than one percent per year.

Section 3 - Prohibition of communists in Parliament
201. No person who is or has ever been a member of, or affiliated with, any communist movement may be elected to the House of Commons or appointed to the Senate.

Section 4 - Conflicts of ballot laws
202. If two or more laws approved by a national referendum conflict, the law that received the greater number of votes in the affirmative will prevail.

Section 5 - Municipal and county bonds
203. Any bonds, loans, or other debt proposed to be accrued by a principal city, incorporated city, or county must be approved by the residents of the city or county in a plebiscite.

Section 6 - Warrants for electronic data
204. A search warrant will be required to access electronic data by law enforcement.

Section 7 - Support for the capital and principal cities
205. For the support of their functions, government accommodations, and national historic sites, Philadelphia will receive eight million dollars from the treasury of the Commonwealth per year and all other principal cities will receive four million dollars from the treasury of the Commonwealth per year