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The Protection of City Ships Act
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| Bernard_Oriel | Date: Wednesday, 03 Oct 2012, 3:54 PM | Message # 1 |
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| The Protection of City Ships Act
City Ships constitute a major population center in a number of cultures. It has been suggested that as a solution to the problem of overcrowding in the Core that is in some cases resulting in housing shortages.
1. City ships shall be treated as civilian assets (even though some may be armed) as per the Protection of Civilians in Inter-Planetary Conflicts Act. All protections here-extended shall be pertinent in inter-Member relations and Member-external relations only. This Act is only applicable in law to such circumstances and doesn't bind the Emperor or his duly appointed representatives and agents.
2. City ships should not be moved into areas marked as unsafe or warzones.
3. In the event of a war between two parties, City Ships are entitled to petition for Imperial Administration in order to avoid being drawn into the conflict. Imperial Administered City ships shall be considered Imperial Property and thus may not be attacked by either side in the conflict.
4. City ships should never attempt to engage other vessels in a hostile manner.
5. City ships should look to their own defenses and maintain a suitable and appropriate level of defense to avoid raids etc. It is suggested that carrying smaller vessels rather than mounting heavy weapons is the most appropriate defensive measure.
6. City ships should not mount excessive weaponary (Planetary grade turbolasers etc).
- The Defense Council may strip city-ships of their status in the event they are are considered to have converted themselves to be warships.
7. In times of peace, City Ships are entitled to freedom of movement within all areas not designated as Restricted by the Galactic Empire.
8. City Ships are urged to heed the travel warnings of the Commerce Council at all times.
9. If travelling in the sovereign space of another Imperial Member utmost respect ought to be shown at all times, if requested to withdraw by the Member controlling the relevant territory then City Ships must do so if they are able (and should be given time to do so), if they do not follow directives issued by Imperial Members whos jurisdiction they are in then the Imperial Member man use minimum reasonable force (non-lethal weapons such as Tractor Beams, Ion Cannons etc) in order to cause them to comply.
Definitions:
City ship: A space ship built and operated primarily for the purpose of containing and housing a community. Cities so designated must be issued with a municipal charter by an Imperial Member or Imperial Moff in order to qualify.
Bernard Oriel
Senator for the Planet of Vjun
1st Earl Malreaux (Second Creation)
Vjun Delegation to the Imperial Senate
Message edited by Bernard_Oriel - Saturday, 27 Oct 2012, 2:59 PM |
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| Toben-Domon | Date: Friday, 05 Oct 2012, 9:50 AM | Message # 2 |
 Major general
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| When you speak of city-ships, Senator Oriel, I am curious as to how many cultures utilize such to the extent that they must needs be protected to this level. The Duros, I know, utilize city-ships, but I see no need to make a law specifically for them. Perhaps if you could identify enough cultures that would make it worthwhile to pass such a law, it would be beneficial.
At this time, though, I can see no real use for this legislature, so unfortunately, my vote is against.
Toben Domon
Senator, Sluis Van
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| Artemis_Vanden | Date: Sunday, 07 Oct 2012, 10:05 PM | Message # 3 |
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| The Ithorians are another such species. I lived on an Ithorian herdship for a year, in fact. Wondrous inventions. But there are many other species, including Humans, who reside on city ships. Golan Arms has its own line of Space Colony, in fact. I passed through one of them in the Calast System. And there are quite a few habitation spheres and wheelworlds in orbit above us as we speak. These, to me, qualify as "city ships" and deserve to be protected under this act. I vote in favor.
Artemis Vanden
Representative of the Naboo
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| Senator_Cambrist | Date: Sunday, 07 Oct 2012, 11:53 PM | Message # 4 |
 Lieutenant general
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| I vote in favor for the self-evident reasons that Senator Oriel has, nonetheless, kindly stated for us. How odd of Senator Domon to oppose the bill; has Sluis Van some sort of cultural moré against the Duros?
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| Bernard_Oriel | Date: Monday, 08 Oct 2012, 1:13 AM | Message # 5 |
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| Plenty of mobile space vessel classes come under the protection of this act. It's not unusual in the core to see ships which can well be described as city size. Golan Space Colonies and others are seen around the Core, and yes, the Duros are also seen to use such ships.
I think Senator Domon's position is arbitrary and poorly thought out, however, aliens are not known for their rationality in all matters and we can perhaps excuse this failing as part of the Sluissi's History of poor decisions.
Bernard Oriel
Senator for the Planet of Vjun
1st Earl Malreaux (Second Creation)
Vjun Delegation to the Imperial Senate
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| LomenRyuun | Date: Monday, 08 Oct 2012, 5:32 AM | Message # 6 |
 Lieutenant general
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| I beg to differ with you, Senators. Representative Vanden, you say that the Golan Arms model of colonies should be considered protected under this act, yet by definition, the colonies are immobile space stations, not capable of moving under their own power. By that logic, every single station or platform could be considered protected under this act.
Senator Oriel, what is the size minimum on a city-ship? If I convert an Action VI freighter to have all the comforts of home and permanently take up residence there with six others, would it then become a city ship?
Lomen Ryuun
Senator, Doldur Sector
Senator, Druckenwell
Representative, Monor II (10 BBY - 9 BBY)
Representative, Geridard
Representative, Boranall
Representative, Therenor Prime
Vice-chairman, Defense Committee (Temporarily suspended)
Controlling Shareholder - Druckenwell Arms Corporation
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| Bernard_Oriel | Date: Monday, 08 Oct 2012, 5:48 AM | Message # 7 |
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| Size is not important - theres no reason an Action-class vessel couldnt form the basis for a small community. So long as a municipal charter was issued by an Imperial Member or Moff, then I have no problem with it. The Defense Committee will take a robust attitude to vessels which are not in actuality qualified to be classed as City Ships and will thus strip them of the protections allowed in this act.
In practice space stations do often possess small engines for manouvering, adjusting their orbit etc. I don't have any problem with functionally immobile civilian structures being classed as city ships if they wish - theres no prohibition on it - because theyre largely already protected in the acts we currently have governing protection for Civilians in conflicts.
Bernard Oriel
Senator for the Planet of Vjun
1st Earl Malreaux (Second Creation)
Vjun Delegation to the Imperial Senate
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| Senator_Ordan | Date: Monday, 08 Oct 2012, 11:14 AM | Message # 8 |
 Lieutenant general
Group: Users
Messages: 633
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| Can any Senator give me a compelling reason I should vote against? I feel disposed towards support of this Act but I have heard little from it's detractors. Anyone?
Senator Hubert Ordan
__________________________
Senator of the Azure Sector
Foreign Minister of Anaxes
Captain-General of the Azure Interest Protection Squadron
Deputy Chairman of the Ethics Committee
Worshipful Master of the Most Loyal and Honourable Company of Blockadeers
Archtreasurer of the Vault of Pols Anaxes
Autocrat of Selgon
Owner of Azure Durasteel
Systems Admiral (Ret)
Order of the Canted Circle
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| Johannes_Oswaldt | Date: Tuesday, 09 Oct 2012, 9:32 AM | Message # 9 |
 Major general
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| I can't think of a good reason to vote against this. And I've been called a "tasteless, insensitive prick" before.
Johannes Oswaldt
Senator and Governor of Eriadu
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| Avram_Kirkwood | Date: Tuesday, 09 Oct 2012, 9:58 AM | Message # 10 |
 Lieutenant
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| Senator Oriel, what of orbital cities? I do plan to vote in support of this bill regardless, however I was curious before voting as to what your stance is in regards to their position in relevance to this bill.
The Honorable Avram W. Kirkwood
Senator of the Cygnus Star Empire
General, Imperial Army (Ret.)
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| Bernard_Oriel | Date: Thursday, 11 Oct 2012, 9:28 PM | Message # 11 |
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Colonel general
Group: Users
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| I see no reason cities with only limited engine capacity should not be covered if they are purely civilian in nature.
Added (11 Oct 2012, 9:28 PM)
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To answer Senator Domon's original concerns as for what would qualify, by the by.
The following are large population centers that require explicit protection from aggression:
Any number of Haven-class Medical Stations.
Sluis Van Central Space Station
Toryaz Station
The currently under construction and completed habitation spheres around Imperial Center.
The Esseles-class Space Station.
The list goes on and on.
Bernard Oriel
Senator for the Planet of Vjun
1st Earl Malreaux (Second Creation)
Vjun Delegation to the Imperial Senate
Message edited by Bernard_Oriel - Thursday, 11 Oct 2012, 9:32 PM |
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| Schmuel_Kadram | Date: Thursday, 11 Oct 2012, 9:44 PM | Message # 12 |
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| Honestly, Senator Domon points out that these travelling cities are largely confined only to certain species and may be accurate in that.
However, we do believe that there is a niche in the market for such vessels which is largely held back by their ambiguous status; worlds undoubtedly want to build ships like this, but they cannot afford the ambiguity in current law which grants them little explicit protection. For example, take, say, Grizmallt. It is a well-off core world and an ecumenopolis of the first order; currently worlds are left with little option but colonization of distant worlds; which can be both unsafe and risks provoking regional powers.
Say Grizmallt decided to construct a large city ship of say 20km long, with a population in the billions; this would be a -major- civilizational asset and not one which deserves to exist outside of an explicit legal framework. I've heard of communities inhabiting old HKD bulk carriers too and the like - rather cheaper but less safe and not optimized for purpose but still housing many tens of thousands of people.
My concern is that in a war, at present they would be treated as military vehicles of the enemy state, and so would risk bombardment or even destruction in the circumstances, a world can't afford to risk significant city ships in this manner. This would be a good way to encourage a flourishing new market for larger civilian vessels, and also help stop the problem some Outer Rim worlds find of being swamped with colonists.
Schmuel Kadram
Governor of Rothana
Junior Vice President of Operations KDY
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| Roman_Lekpin | Date: Friday, 12 Oct 2012, 3:37 PM | Message # 13 |
 Colonel
Group: Users
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| I see this as a well-proposed act, Senator Oriel, and I applaud you. Lorrd is in favor.
Roman Lekpin
Representative, Lorrd (11 BBY-10 BBY) (9 BBY-Present)
Chosen of House Garth
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| Senator_Cambrist | Date: Monday, 15 Oct 2012, 8:34 AM | Message # 14 |
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Lieutenant general
Group: Users
Messages: 761
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| For the record, the Commerce Committee has voted to endorse this legislation at its morning session.
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| Sate_Pestage | Date: Thursday, 18 Oct 2012, 12:58 PM | Message # 15 |
 Lieutenant general
Group: Moderators
Messages: 639
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| There appear to be no forthcoming votes on this measure. It passes with 80% in favor and 20% opposed. For the record, Senator Kirkwood, your vote was not recorded either for or against the measure since it was not explicitly cast either way. Of course, you are welcome to appeal this if you wish.
Sate Pestage
Grand Vizier of the Empire
Assistant to Emperor Palpatine
Chair of the Imperial Senate
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