Senate of Westarctica

The Senate of Westarctica is the primary legislative body of Westarctica. The function and composition of the Senate is outlined in the Constitution of Westarctica (Chapter III: The Legislature). Senators are accorded the honorific "The Honorable."

The current Senate Leader is the Duke of Denfeld.

Legislative function

The Senate is a body of legislators selected from among citizens of Westarctica. It forms the lower portion and general start of the legislative process in Westarctica. Its primary function is to create and pass laws, while aiding in good governance.

Proposals for new laws may be submitted by either a senator or the Prime Minister. Proposed laws must receive a simple majority assent of the total number of seats in the Senate to pass. Proposals that have passed the Senate are then reviewed by the Prime Minister for either approval or denial. Those proposals the Prime Minister approves are passed on to the Sovereign for potential approval and ratification into law.

Any proposals denied by the Prime Minister, but passed in the Senate by a 2/3 or greater majority will be passed on to the Sovereign for consideration. Proposals that the Prime Minister denies, but passed with less than a 2/3 majority are to be given back to the Senate, where they may be modified or dropped.

Ultimately, the Sovereign either approves or vetoes any proposal that reaches them via the legislative process. Those proposals that the Sovereign approves are to be signed into law as a Westarctican Ordinance and bear both the royal signature and Sovereign’s seal.

Proposals that the Sovereign denies, but were passed with a 3/4 or greater majority by the Senate and the Prime Minister’s approval shall be signed into law as a Westarctican Ordinance by the Prime Minister. Laws passed in this manner may not pertain directly to a matter that is considered to fall entirely under the Sovereign’s purview, per the constitution.

Composition

Senators are selected during the annual Voting Weekend to a term of two years. Senators are limited to service in three consecutive two-year terms, regardless of how much time they serve during those three terms. There is no limit to the total number of terms an individual may serve.

Senate Leader

The position of Senate Leader is generally the first order of business for an incoming Senate. There are no explicit added benefits to holding this position, and the only added responsibility is serving as mouthpiece of the body, as well as guiding it through the legislative process. The Senate Leader is accorded the honorific "The Right Honorable."

On 21 February 2023, Alex "Sasha" Radionov was selected by the sitting senators as the first Senate Leader. He resigned from this position on 28 October 2023.

On 1 November 2023, the Duke of the Bear Peninsula was voted in as Senate Leader with 7 approvals and 1 abstention.

On 5 March 2024, the Duke of Denfeld was elected as the new Senate Leader.

Requirements to serve

Prospective senators must meet the following requirements in order to be deemed eligible to serve in the senate:

• 18 years or older, and under the age of 75 on the day the application window opens;
• In sufficient mental and physical health that they can be expected to perform the duties of the role for the entirety of their term;
• Willing and able to commit the time required to fulfill all duties specified by this Constitution;
• Submit a completed application packet.

Current list of senators

The inaugural Senate of Westarctica, seated on 20 February 2023, consists of the following members:

• Duke of Denfeld - Senate Leader
• Alex "Sasha" Radionov
• Crystal Conrad
• Hann Dougie
• Kurt Fuchs
• Thomas Marek
• Betty McKeough
• Mae Richardson
• Christian Seitz
• Trevor Stratton
• Michael Pacheco
• Jordan Farmer (appointed to fill vacancy, term ended when position was permanently filled)
• Ella Westerly (resigned)

Activities

The first Senate passed the following Westarctican Ordinances into law:

• 20 May 2023: WO-2023-001 - Creation of Committees in the Westarctican Senate.
• 4 September 2023: WO-2023-003 - Renaming of Executive Committee Range and Hull Glacier.
• 6 October 2023: WO-2023-004 - Creation of Westarctican Parks Service.

On 7 January 2025, the Senate voted upon and passed Constitutional Amendment CA-2025-001 giving Grand Duke Travis wide powers to reshape the Government of Westarctica.