Second, while it provides a mechanism for the Empire to become involved in local disputes if it wishes to, it does not require it to. Indeed, you will find in Section II, Article I that the Empire must be notified when an Imperial world proposes to use force on another, and it is through the Empire's inaction that the use of force is permitted. In contrast, Senator Star's measure requires the study and approval of the Empire to sneeze in the direction of another world. Also, the requirements that I place here on Imperial worlds are more reasonable than those in Senator Star's measure—there are no requirements to defend your neighbors, for instance, which is a matter for local treaties and not the Imperial Senate.

However, I am not uncharitable to Senator Star. Indeed, I include some elements of her measure in mine, such as her limitation on space mines, which was another point of contention that I feel my measure resolves. It is my candid hope that even those who support Senator Star's proposal will also support this one, or support this one instead. It is a practical proposal, I vote in favor, and I humbly encourage you, my colleagues, to do likewise.

Article I. The term "Imperial world" shall, in this act, refer to an inhabited world that is not subordinate to any other world or political entity, and cannot be claimed as such by any other world or political entity, and that considers itself and is considered a member of the Galactic Empire, possessing all of the rights and responsibilities associated with membership in the Galactic Empire. The term shall also refer to any union of worlds or persons meeting the same conditions as described.

Article II. The term "unaligned" shall, in this act, refer to an inhabited world with no appreciable political relations or correspondence with the Empire, or with any other political entity, Provided; the world in question is not subordinate to any other world or political entity, and that no other world or political entity can legitimately claim it as such. "Unaligned," in this sense, may also refer to a union of worlds or persons meeting the same conditions as described.

Article I. Imperial worlds may use force against other Imperial worlds, and "unaligned" worlds, Provided; such force is prudent and necessary for the world's security interests, commercial interests, or for the purposes of law enforcement or the protection or extraction of its citizens, and, Provided; notification of the use of force has been presented to the Empire a reasonable amount of time in advance, during which time the Empire has not prohibited the use of force as described in the notification.

Article II. The use of force shall be considered "prudent and necessary" for a world's "security interests," "commercial interests," or other interests in instances including, but not limited to; the defense of the world in question, the defense of the world's people and properties, the enforcement of trade policies, sanctions, and piracy laws, certain acts of protest (i.e. blockade), and the assistance of other worlds in disasters or famines.

Article III. Imperial worlds, when using force against other Imperial worlds, or "unaligned" worlds, are expected to observe all contemporary legal and moral standards for the use of force. In particular, they shall not impede interstellar commerce to and from the world in question in an unreasonable or indiscriminate fashion, insofar as it is possible to prevent this (i.e. no placing of space mines in an indiscriminate fashion, no deliberate destruction of spaceports, etc., if possible).

Article I. Imperial worlds who violate the provisions of this act—namely, to use force on other Imperial worlds, or "unaligned" worlds, without consultation with, or when prohibited from doing so by, the Empire—may have those individuals responsible for the violation, and individuals participating in the violation, fined a minimum of 10,000 credits each, or imprisoned for no more than 10 standard years, or both, per violation, as determined by the courts. Private interests, individuals, and businesses under the auspices of an Imperial world who violate the provisions of this act may be prosecuted in the same manner as described.

Article I. Any provisions of prior acts of the Senate that contradict the provisions of this act shall henceforth be superseded by the provisions of this act.