How to be Involved in the Congress

The HM Congress is a player run organisation intended as a platform to create roleplay jobs and laws across the server as well as a place to litigate minor disputes.

History of Congress

Founded by the player, Thendil, on March 11th, 2022, it was originally called the HM Player Senate and served as an organised way for city representatives to make suggestions for the server.

Following its success, on October 29th, 2023 it was expanded to include both a House of Representatives for independent players, a Senate for city/nation representatives, an executive branch with its own President and a cabinet and a supreme court, and rebranded as the HM Congress.

Running for Election

The election cycle takes place twice yearly, in June and in December, with each session of congress starting at the beginning of the following month. During each election all Representatives, Senators and the President and Vice President are all appointed.

A notice of election and the rules are usually posted on the HM website in the forums. It is highly recommended to join a party via the Congress Discord as the House/Senate Leader usually decides what bills are put forward.

Senate seats are usually appointed by the owner(s) of a nation or group of cities equivalent to the size of a nation. Each nation is free to run their own elections or appoint someone during the election cycle or when someone resigns.

Congressional Business

In order for congress to begin passing legislation, it must complete a number of steps and follow its own rules and procedures.

Appointing a Speaker/President Pro tempore

The first business of the House and Senate is usually to appoint a presiding officer who remains impartial. This person makes sure the rules are being adhered to and everything is running correctly. The Vice President of the Executive Branch may act as the presiding officer in the Senate, and should let the Senate know if so. The House usually has its own Speaker and the Senate will elect a President Pro tempore for when the Vice President is not present.

Any member may submit a motion to elect a speaker.

Appointing a House/Senate Leader

The second business of the House and Senate is to appoint a Leader. This person is usually the representative of a party or alliance of parties with the largest majority. Alternatively this person should be able to command the majority of the House or Senate and be separate to the presiding officer. Each chamber may decide its own rules in the absence of a leader.

Drafting Legislation

In order to allow the most voices to contribute to the Congress, any player may submit draft legislation. The House Leader may review draft legislation and ask a committee to review it and get it ready to be voted on. Once a committee recommends this, they liaise with the Speaker to bring it to the floor to be voted on.

Committee may be created using a motion as and when required. Committees can be used to do a number of things including finalise legislation, subpoena players to testify or, investigate issues.

Passing Legislation

Once draft legislation is ready to be presented to the floor to be voted on, the Speaker of the House will host a vote and each representative will give their approval or not.

This will then be submitted to the Senate to approve. If they vote to amend, it will be sent back to the House in its new form. Once both chambers have approved text, it is sent to the President to sign into law.

Presidential Veto

A President may choose to veto legislation, whoever congress may choose to overturn this by two-thirds majority.

Constitution

This is the ultimate set of rules by which Congress runs. No law passed or action may contradict this.

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court consists of a Chief Justice and Associate Justices who cast their votes on constitutional matters.

Executive

The Executive consists of a President, Vice President and its officers i.e. a Chief of Staff and Cabinet, who run the departments of the Player Government.