Political Watch, June 22

Since the last issue of Political News:

The Legislature has been at it again with 6 pieces of legislation being introduced and passed this past week and two pieces to be debated on.

H.R. 008 – Legal Adjustments Act of 2021 is still deferred until a later date

H.R. 013 – The Wilderness Protection Act of 2021,

• This bill introduced by Representative Paxton will establish the San Andreas Parks Department
• The bill outlines the departments responsibilities being;
  • Protecting and preserving the natural parks and recreation areas of San Andreas.
  • Educating and acting as environmental ambassadors for the state.
  • Patrolling campsites, hunting and fishing grounds.
  • Conducting tours and ensuring park upkeep.
  • Hunter’s safety and ethics training.
• It also establishes the enforcement authority of the Parks Department rangers
• It creates new zones for hunting and defines areas where hunting is strictly prohibited

• This bill also changes countless sections inside the Criminal Code, in summary
  • Establishes the hunting grounds zones and adds charges for violations
  • Includes Parks Department employees in the Taser Possession clause
  • Establishes a need for a hunting licence to hunt in the state of San Andreas
  • Prohibits hunting from a motor vehicle
• This bill has been criticised by some because of its authoritative permission for a Ranger to detain someone on park grounds for non Fish and Game related crimes.

This bill has been voted on with all three representatives voting in favor, it has been signed by the Governor into Law

H.R. 14.20 – The Controlled Substances Dispensary Act of 2021,

• This bill introduced by Representative Paxton, will establish a process to regulate business who legally distribute controlled substances
• It allows Marijuana Dispensaries to operate with a maximum inventory of 250 grams at one time
• It prohibits anyone with a Felony in their criminal record in the previous 14 days from holding a licence to work at a Dispensary. 
• This bill permits law enforcement to complete random warrantless searches on licenced dispensaries. Their owners and employees are also subject in these searches, including property in which the owner or employee might use but is unrelated to the business such as an “employee owned vehicle.”
  • A lawyer has privately criticized this move as “an invasion of privacy against the employees”
• This bill also requires that dispensaries that begin sales outside their registered business premises contact law enforcement and notify them.

This bill has been voted on with all three representatives voting in favor, it has been signed by the Governor into Law

H.R. 015 – Town Hall Resolution of 2021

• This bill introduced by Representative Paxton, will introduce a monthly Town Hall meeting where government and it’s officials will be able to answer questions from the public.

This bill has been voted on with all three representatives voting in favor, it has been signed by the Governor into Law

H.R. 016 – Protecting Government Officials Act of 2021.

• This bill introduced by Representative Jackson, if it passes, will criminal code surrounding Kidnapping, Hostage Taking, Torture and Murder of a Government official. It includes doubling the maximum penalty against the offending parties if found guilty. 

This bill has not been voted on, it has not been signed by the Governor into Law

H.R. 017 – The Medical Patient Act of 2021

• This bill introduced by Representative Jackson, will establish regulations surrounding the privacy of persons in the health system.
• It includes Rights regarding the access of information and the right to ‘conclusion’

This bill has been voted on with all three representatives voting in favor, it has been signed by the Governor into Law

H.R. 018 – The Temporary Psychiatric Holds Act of 2021

• This bill co-introduced by Representative Paxton and Jackson will establish regulations surrounding Temporary Psychiatric Holds in the State of San Andreas
• It allows members of Law Enforcement and the Medical Service to detain a person for the following reasons;
  • Behavior that is indicative of mental distress (highly symptomatic).
  • Voluntary treatment has been refused or is not a viable option.

and

• Behavior or statements that indicate they are a danger to themselves, or
• Behavior or statements that indicate they are a danger to others.

• The maximum period without extension is 72 hours, if extension is granted a person can be held on reasonable professional grounds for 14 days.
• It states that people who are held under this law will be taken to Mount Zonah Medical Center

This bill has been voted on with all three representatives voting in favor, it has been signed by the Governor into Law

H.R. 019 – Amendments to H.R. 004 [The San Andreas Flight Regulations Act] of 2021

• This amendment to H.R 004 was introduced by Representative Paxton
• It amends multiple sections ranging from the addition of a new employee grade called “Administrative Assistant” and changes the measurement used for the maximum flight value over the city of Los Santos, from 200 metres to 200 feet. 

This bill has been voted on with all three representatives voting in favor, it has been signed by the Governor into Law