# CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CORINDAL
*A Free and Self-Governing State of the Federated Republic*

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## PREAMBLE

We, the people of Corindal, heirs to a land of rich earth and deep seams, of forests and foundries, of workshops and furnaces — a land that has always rewarded those who work it with skill and persistence — do ordain and establish this Constitution to secure the blessings of ordered liberty, to foster the prosperity that honest enterprise creates, and to ensure that government remains the servant of those who build, make, and labor within our borders.

Our State was built by hands that shaped iron and timber, that tilled soil and laid rail, that raised mills along our rivers and towns upon our hills. We honor that inheritance by building institutions worthy of it: strong enough to govern, lean enough to adapt, and accountable always to the people from whom all just authority flows.

We do so as a State within the Federated Republic, bound by its Constitution in all matters committed to it, and sovereign in all matters reserved to us. This Constitution is our compact with one another and with those who will come after. It is adopted, and may be amended, only by the people of Corindal.

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## ARTICLE I — DECLARATION OF RIGHTS

### §1.1 Supremacy of the Federated Republic's Constitution

Nothing in this Article, or in this Constitution, may be construed to diminish, limit, or fall below any right guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federated Republic. Where this Article is silent, the Republic's Constitution governs directly and of its own force. Where this Article speaks further than the Republic's Constitution, the greater protection applies within Corindal.

### §1.2 Inherent Rights

All persons are by nature free and independent, and possess certain inherent rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty; acquiring, possessing, and protecting property; and pursuing and obtaining safety and happiness. Government is instituted for the protection, security, and benefit of the people, and derives its just powers from the consent of the governed.

### §1.3 Equality Before the Law

No law of this State, and no act of any State or local officer, may discriminate against any person on a basis prohibited by the Constitution of the Federated Republic, including race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, age, or economic status. All political power is inherent in the people.

### §1.4 Freedom of Expression, Conscience, and Assembly

Every person may freely speak, write, and publish on all subjects. The people have the right peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for redress of grievances. The rights of conscience shall not be infringed, and no person shall be compelled to attend, erect, or support any place of worship, or to maintain any ministry, against their consent. These rights may not be restricted below the protections guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federated Republic.

### §1.5 Right to Bear Arms

Every person holds the right to keep and bear arms for lawful purposes including self-defense, consistent with the Constitution of the Federated Republic. The State may establish licensing and safety frameworks, provided that lawful ownership for self-defense remains available to every citizen and legal resident.

### §1.6 Security from Unreasonable Search and Seizure

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, effects, and data against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated. No warrant shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized.

### §1.7 Due Process of Law

No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. Every person has the right to a certain remedy in the laws for all injuries or wrongs which they may receive in their person, property, or character. Justice shall be administered freely and without denial, promptly and without delay.

### §1.8 Rights of the Accused

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused has the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury; to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against them; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in their favor; and to have the assistance of counsel for their defense. No person shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against themselves. Where a person cannot afford counsel, the court shall appoint counsel at public expense.

### §1.9 Freedom from Excessive Punishment

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel or unusual punishments inflicted.

### §1.10 Property and Just Compensation

Private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation, determined by a process independent of the taking authority and consistent with the Constitution of the Federated Republic. No person shall be deprived of their property except by the judgment of their peers or the law of the land.

### §1.11 Freedom of Contract and Commerce

The right to enter into lawful contracts, to engage in trade, and to pursue a lawful occupation is protected. The State may regulate commerce for the public health, safety, and welfare, but may not impose a burden on out-of-state goods, services, or persons greater than that imposed on its own, consistent with the Constitution of the Federated Republic.

### §1.12 Labor Rights

Every worker in Corindal holds the right to organize, to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing, and to engage in peaceable collective action. No person shall be denied employment on account of lawful membership or non-membership in a labor organization, except where the nature of the employment itself reasonably requires representation of such an organization.

### §1.13 Right to Transparency

The people have the right to know how they are governed. All official acts of the State and its subdivisions shall be matters of public record. No governmental action shall be concealed from the people except upon grounds narrowly defined by law and subject to judicial review. The Corindal Register established in Article VIII gives effect to this right.

### §1.14 Non-Derogation

(a) Rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federated Republic may be limited or derogated only to the extent that Constitution permits and never below its non-derogable floor.

(b) A right independently or more broadly guaranteed by this Constitution may be limited only by law, for a legitimate public purpose, and only to the extent reasonably necessary and consistent with this Constitution.

(c) The enumeration of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

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## ARTICLE II — THE EXECUTIVE

### §2.1 The Governor

The executive power of the State of Corindal is vested in the Governor, who shall be the chief executive of the State and shall see that the laws are faithfully executed.

### §2.2 Election and Term

(a) The Governor shall be elected by the qualified electors of the State at large for a term of four years, by ranked-choice ballot administered consistent with the National Voting System standards under the Constitution of the Federated Republic.

(b) No person may serve more than two consecutive terms as Governor. After sitting out one full term, a former Governor may again seek the office.

(c) To hold the office of Governor, a person must be a citizen of the Federated Republic, a resident of Corindal for at least five years, and at least thirty years of age at the time of taking office. The Governor must meet the disclosure requirements established by federal law as applied to State office.

### §2.3 Powers and Duties of the Governor

The Governor shall:

(a) faithfully execute the laws of Corindal;

(b) serve as Commander-in-Chief of the organized militia of the State, except when it is called into the service of the Federated Republic;

(c) appoint the heads of executive departments and the members of all boards and commissions whose appointment is not otherwise provided for, subject to confirmation by the State Senate;

(d) appoint judges to fill vacancies, subject to the process established in Article IV;

(e) grant reprieves, commutations, and pardons for offenses against the State, except in cases of impeachment, and subject to the prohibition on self-clemency established by the Constitution of the Federated Republic;

(f) convene the State Senate in special session upon extraordinary occasions, specifying the purpose of the session;

(g) deliver to the State Senate, at the opening of each regular session, information on the state of the State and recommend such measures as the Governor considers necessary and expedient;

(h) prepare and submit to the State Senate an annual proposed budget;

(i) represent Corindal in relations with other States, with the federal government, and with foreign delegations received through federal channels; and

(j) declare a state of emergency in response to natural disaster, public health crisis, or other severe threat to public safety. A declaration shall specify its geographic scope, duration not exceeding thirty days, and the measures authorized. Any extension beyond thirty days requires approval by a majority of the authorized membership of the State Senate. Emergency measures remain subject to Article I and judicial review, and no emergency declaration may suspend an election, dissolve or prevent the lawful meeting of the State Senate, or extend an elected term except as the Constitution of the Federated Republic expressly permits.

### §2.4 The Lieutenant Governor

(a) A Lieutenant Governor shall be elected jointly with the Governor, on the same ticket and for the same term, by the qualified electors of the State.

(b) The Lieutenant Governor shall preside over the State Senate and shall have no vote except to break a tie.

(c) In the event of the death, resignation, removal, or permanent incapacity of the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor shall become Governor for the remainder of the term.

(d) During the temporary incapacity of the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor shall serve as Acting Governor until the Governor resumes the powers and duties of office.

(e) The Lieutenant Governor shall perform such other duties as the Governor may assign and as the State Senate may prescribe by law.

### §2.5 The Governor's Veto

(a) Every bill passed by the State Senate shall be presented to the Governor. The Governor may sign the bill, in which case it becomes law; or may return it, with written objections, to the State Senate within ten business days of presentment.

(b) A bill returned by the Governor may become law upon passage by a two-thirds vote of the authorized membership of the State Senate.

(c) If the Governor neither signs nor returns a bill within ten business days of presentment, it becomes law without the Governor's signature. If adjournment prevents physical return of a vetoed bill, the Governor may file the bill and written objections in the Corindal Register within the same ten-business-day period, and the bill shall be treated as returned for consideration when the State Senate next meets.

(d) The Governor may approve an appropriation bill in whole, or may veto one or more items of appropriation while approving the remainder. An item so vetoed may be restored only by a two-thirds vote of the authorized membership of the State Senate.

### §2.6 Succession

(a) If both the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are unable to serve, the President Pro Tempore of the State Senate shall act as Governor until the disability is removed or a Governor succeeds to or is elected to the office as provided by law.

(b) During service as Acting Governor, a Senator's legislative and presiding powers are suspended, and that Senator shall not participate in State Senate proceedings. The State Senate shall elect another member to preside for that period.

(c) The State Senate shall provide by law for further succession and for the determination and review of incapacity, consistent with the Constitution of the Federated Republic.

### §2.7 Executive Departments

(a) The State Senate shall organize the executive branch into departments by law. Each department shall be headed by a principal officer appointed by the Governor with the confirmation of the State Senate.

(b) Department heads serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

(c) The Governor may establish by executive order such subordinate offices, boards, and commissions within the departments as are necessary for the efficient administration of functions authorized by law, subject to appropriation by the State Senate.

(d) The temporary administration of a department during a vacancy in its principal office shall be provided by law and shall not confer a right to permanent appointment.

### §2.8 State Immigration Sponsorship

(a) Corindal participates in the immigration system of the Federated Republic through the State sponsorship stage established by the federal Constitution. State sponsorship does not itself confer legal residency, which requires federal certification.

(b) The State Senate shall establish by law public, lawful, and nondiscriminatory criteria and procedures governing State sponsorship, consistent with federal equality guarantees and the federal prohibitions on ideological screening and nationality-based quotas.

(c) The Governor shall administer sponsorship through an executive department or subordinate office designated by law. Individual sponsorship determinations are administrative acts governed by the criteria established by law and are not personal gubernatorial prerogatives.

(d) A denial of sponsorship shall state the precise legal ground in writing. State courts may review sponsorship decisions for constitutional or procedural illegality but shall not substitute their policy judgment for lawful State discretion.

(e) Federal certification, removal, deportation, and asylum remain within federal authority as provided by the Constitution of the Federated Republic.

(f) Employment, an offer of employment, private sponsorship assistance, emergency aid, or other humanitarian assistance does not itself constitute State sponsorship, federal certification, or legal residency.

### §2.9 Removal

(a) The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and other civil officers of the State may be removed from office through impeachment for cause.

(b) The State Senate has the sole power of impeachment by majority vote of its authorized membership.

(c) The State Senate shall try impeachments in proceedings separate from the vote of impeachment. Members formally designated to present or prosecute articles of impeachment shall not vote on conviction. The officer charged shall receive notice of the charges and a fair opportunity to be heard, to be represented by counsel, to present evidence, and to call and question witnesses. Trials shall be public except to the limited extent closure is required by law to protect a compelling interest.

(d) Conviction requires a two-thirds vote of the authorized membership of the State Senate eligible to vote in the trial. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall preside when the Governor or Lieutenant Governor is tried.

(e) Judgment upon conviction extends only to removal from office and disqualification from holding any office of honor, trust, or profit under this State. The party convicted remains liable to prosecution and punishment according to law.

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## ARTICLE III — THE STATE SENATE

### §3.1 Legislative Power

The legislative power of the State of Corindal is vested in the State Senate.

### §3.2 Composition and Districts

(a) The State Senate shall consist of members elected from single-member districts of substantially equal population, drawn consistent with the non-discrimination and anti-dilution requirements of the Constitution of the Federated Republic.

(b) The State Senate shall have fifty-one members unless altered by law, provided that the number shall not fall below forty-five nor exceed sixty-five.

(c) Following each decennial census, Senate districts shall be drawn by an independent redistricting commission established by law. The commission shall act under published, neutral criteria and independently of the State Senate and Governor. Districts shall be compact and contiguous, shall respect county and municipal boundaries where practicable, and shall comply with federal law. Final plans shall be public and subject to judicial review.

### §3.3 Election and Terms

(a) Members of the State Senate shall be elected by the qualified electors of their respective districts for terms of four years.

(b) No member may serve more than three consecutive terms. After sitting out one full term, a former member may again seek election.

(c) To be eligible for the State Senate, a person must be a qualified elector of the State, at least twenty-one years of age, and a resident of the district from which they seek election for at least one year prior to election.

(d) Elections to the State Senate shall be held concurrently with elections for the federal Assembly, unless the State Senate by law establishes a different schedule consistent with the Constitution of the Federated Republic.

### §3.4 Organization

(a) The Lieutenant Governor shall preside over the State Senate and shall have no vote except to break a tie.

(b) The State Senate shall elect a President Pro Tempore from among its members, who shall preside in the absence of the Lieutenant Governor and shall serve as Acting Governor when the line of succession so requires.

(c) A majority of the authorized membership constitutes a quorum to do business.

(d) The State Senate shall determine its own rules of procedure, may compel the attendance of absent members, and may punish its members for disorderly conduct.

(e) The State Senate may, with the concurrence of two-thirds of its authorized membership, expel a member.

(f) For purposes of this Constitution, the authorized membership of the State Senate is the number of seats established under §3.2(b), whether or not every seat is filled. Unless this Constitution expressly provides otherwise, any requirement stated as a majority or fraction of the State Senate is calculated from that authorized membership. A member disqualified from voting in a particular proceeding does not thereby reduce a threshold expressly based on authorized membership.

### §3.5 Legislative Process

(a) Every bill shall address a single subject, which shall be expressed in its title.

(b) No bill may become law until it has been printed and available to members and the public for at least three calendar days before final passage, except in cases of emergency declared by a two-thirds vote of the authorized membership.

(c) No law shall be enacted except by bill. No bill shall become law unless it receives a majority vote of the authorized membership, unless this Constitution provides otherwise.

(d) All bills for raising revenue and all appropriation bills shall originate in the State Senate.

### §3.6 Sessions

(a) The State Senate shall meet in regular session at least once annually at such time as provided by law.

(b) Special sessions may be convened by the Governor or upon written request of a majority of the authorized membership.

(c) The State Senate shall initially judge the elections, returns, and qualifications of its own members. Final determinations affecting entitlement to a seat shall be subject to judicial review.

### §3.7 Compensation and Ethics

(a) Members of the State Senate shall receive compensation as provided by law, which may not be increased or decreased during the term for which they were elected.

(b) No member may hold any other office of profit under the State or the Federated Republic during their term. A member who accepts any such office shall be deemed to have vacated their seat.

(c) Members shall disclose their financial interests consistent with the requirements applicable to State office under the Constitution and laws of the Federated Republic.

(d) The State Senate shall maintain an ethics committee with authority to investigate and sanction members for conduct falling short of removal.

### §3.8 Campaign Finance

The State Senate shall by law regulate campaign contributions and expenditures for State office, consistent with the disclosure and prohibition requirements of the Constitution of the Federated Republic.

### §3.9 Investigations

The State Senate, and each committee thereof duly authorized, may conduct investigations into any matter within the legislative competence of the State. For this purpose, the State Senate may issue subpoenas, compel the attendance of witnesses, require the production of documents, and administer oaths. A person who refuses to comply with a duly issued subpoena may be brought before the Supreme Court for enforcement.

### §3.10 Legislative Immunity

No member of the State Senate shall be questioned in any other place for any speech, debate, or vote in the chamber or in any committee thereof. This immunity does not extend to the publication of speech outside the chamber.

### §3.11 Appropriation and Budget

(a) The Governor shall submit a proposed budget to the State Senate not later than the date prescribed by law.

(b) The State Senate shall consider the proposed budget and may amend it before passage.

(c) If no general appropriations law has taken effect at the beginning of a fiscal year, appropriations necessary for essential government operations and existing legal obligations shall continue temporarily at no more than the corresponding prior-year lawful rate, subject to further limitations established by law, until a new appropriations law takes effect.

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## ARTICLE IV — THE JUDICIARY

### §4.1 Judicial Power

The judicial power of the State of Corindal is vested in a Supreme Court and in such inferior courts as the State Senate may establish by law.

### §4.2 The Supreme Court

(a) The Supreme Court shall consist of seven justices.

(b) The Supreme Court shall have:

 (i) original jurisdiction in cases involving the construction of this Constitution, disputes between the State and its political subdivisions, and such other matters as the State Senate may prescribe;

 (ii) appellate jurisdiction from the inferior courts, as provided by law; and

 (iii) the power to issue such writs as are necessary to the exercise of its jurisdiction.

(c) Inferior courts may decide constitutional questions arising in cases properly before them, subject to review by the Supreme Court. The grant of original jurisdiction in subsection (b) does not make that jurisdiction exclusive unless this Constitution expressly provides otherwise.

(d) The Supreme Court may declare a law enacted by the State Senate, or an act of the executive, void if it finds that law or act inconsistent with this Constitution or with the Constitution of the Federated Republic. Such a declaration requires the concurrence of a majority of the justices participating in the case.

### §4.3 Appointment of Justices

(a) Justices of the Supreme Court shall be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by a majority vote of the authorized membership of the State Senate.

(b) A justice confirmed under this section shall serve a single nonrenewable term of twelve years.

(c) To be eligible for appointment as a justice, a person must be a citizen of the Federated Republic, a resident of Corindal, and a member in good standing of the State bar for at least ten years, or have served as a judge of an inferior court of this State for at least seven years.

### §4.4 Inferior Courts

(a) The State Senate shall establish by law inferior courts as necessary for the administration of justice.

(b) Judges of inferior courts shall be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by a majority vote of the authorized membership of the State Senate, for a single nonrenewable term of eight years in the office to which appointed. Service in one judicial office does not bar later appointment to a different judicial office for which the person is otherwise eligible.

(c) The State Senate may by law establish a Judicial Nominating Commission to recommend qualified candidates for judicial vacancies. The Governor shall not be bound by the Commission's recommendations.

### §4.5 Judicial Independence and Continuity

(a) The compensation of justices and judges shall not be diminished during their continuance in office.

(b) A justice of the Supreme Court may be removed only by impeachment under §2.9.

(c) Judges of inferior courts may be removed by impeachment or through an independent judicial-discipline process established by law for incapacity or serious misconduct. Such process shall provide notice, a fair opportunity to be heard, and independent adjudication or review.

(d) If vacancies, incapacity, or recusal prevent the Supreme Court from forming the quorum required by law, the longest continuously serving eligible judge of the highest inferior court available shall serve temporarily as an acting justice until a quorum can otherwise be formed. Continuous judicial service shall determine priority, and age shall break a tie. Temporary service under this subsection creates no right or preference to permanent appointment.

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## ARTICLE V — ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

### §5.1 Purpose

The State recognizes that the prosperity of its people depends upon the wise development of its natural resources, the encouragement of productive enterprise, and the maintenance of infrastructure adequate to the needs of commerce and industry. This Article establishes the institutions through which the State shall pursue these ends.

### §5.2 The Corindal Development Commission

(a) There is established the Corindal Development Commission, a body of the State charged with the promotion of economic development, industrial growth, and infrastructure improvement within Corindal.

(b) The Commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by a majority vote of the authorized membership of the State Senate.

(c) Members shall serve staggered terms of six years and may serve no more than two consecutive terms. A former member may be appointed again after remaining off the Commission for one full term.

(d) At least four members shall have substantial experience in commerce, industry, finance, infrastructure, labor, skilled trades, workforce development, or economic development. In making appointments, regard shall be given to maintaining substantial experience across both productive enterprise and the workforce and communities that sustain it.

(e) The Governor shall designate one member as Chair, who shall serve as Chair at the pleasure of the Governor.

(f) The Commission may not be abolished except by constitutional amendment under Article VII.

### §5.3 Powers of the Commission

The Commission may:

(a) acquire, hold, and dispose of real and personal property;

(b) enter into contracts, partnerships, and joint ventures with private entities, other States, and the federal government;

(c) issue bonds and notes for the financing of development projects. Such obligations are payable only from Commission revenues or other lawful sources pledged to them and shall not constitute a debt, pledge of the full faith and credit, or obligation of the taxing power of the State unless expressly guaranteed by law;

(d) make grants, loans, and loan guarantees to private enterprises for purposes consistent with its mandate, under published eligibility criteria and upon a recorded finding of public purpose. Significant awards, as defined by law, and conflicts of interest relating to them shall be publicly disclosed;

(e) construct, operate, and maintain infrastructure for industrial, commercial, and transportation purposes;

(f) receive and administer funds from federal, State, local, and private sources;

(g) collect fees, rents, and charges for the use of facilities under its control;

(h) exercise the power of eminent domain only where reasonably necessary for public infrastructure, remediation, transportation, utilities, or another development or redevelopment project serving a substantial public purpose defined by law, and subject to the just compensation requirement of §1.10. Anticipated economic benefit from transfer to a particular private party, standing alone, is not a sufficient public purpose; and

(i) adopt rules and regulations within authority granted by law for the conduct of its affairs.

### §5.4 Oversight

(a) The Commission shall report annually to the State Senate and the Governor on its activities, finances, and projects.

(b) The accounts of the Commission shall be subject to audit by the State Auditor, who shall be appointed by the State Senate.

(c) No individual decision of the Commission within its lawful authority is subject to veto by the Governor or the State Senate. Commission action remains subject to this Constitution, law, audit, disclosure requirements, and judicial review.

### §5.5 Fiscal Provisions

(a) The Commission shall fund its operations from the proceeds of its own activities, from appropriations made by the State Senate, and from such fees, levies, and charges as the State Senate may by law authorize.

(b) The Commission may retain and reinvest its revenues without annual reappropriation, subject to the audit requirements of §5.4(b) and other limitations established by law.

(c) The State Senate may by law dedicate specific revenue streams to the Commission. A later law may alter or redirect such revenues, but shall not impair outstanding lawful contractual or bond obligations.

### §5.6 Development Zones

The State Senate may by law authorize counties and municipalities to offer tax incentives for economic development within their jurisdictions, and may authorize the Commission to designate Development Zones under general statutory standards. Each Development Zone shall be geographically and temporally defined and publicly designated. Special tax, regulatory, or infrastructure provisions within a Zone must be authorized by law and remain subject to this Constitution and the Constitution of the Federated Republic. The Commission may not waive or suspend State law except to the extent a law expressly authorizes the category and limits of such variation.

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## ARTICLE VI — LOCAL GOVERNMENT

### §6.1 Counties

(a) The State is divided into counties, whose boundaries are those existing at the adoption of this Constitution and as altered by law. The State Senate may create or alter counties by law. The abolition or consolidation of an entire county shall require a procedure established by law that includes approval by the affected electorate or another form of direct affected-community consent.

(b) Each county shall maintain a governing body elected by the qualified electors of the county. The State Senate may by law provide for a Board of Commissioners or another form of elected county government.

(c) Counties shall have such powers of local self-government as the State Senate confers by law, including the power to levy taxes as authorized by law, to provide services, and to enact ordinances consistent with State law.

### §6.2 Municipalities

(a) The State Senate shall by law provide for the incorporation of municipalities upon petition of residents of the area proposed for incorporation and approval by the qualified electors of that area.

(b) Municipalities shall have such powers of local self-government as the State Senate confers by law.

(c) State law may expressly preempt a local ordinance, regulation, or action where uniform State policy is reasonably necessary. Preemption shall not be inferred solely from inconsistency with general State policy.

(d) The dissolution or consolidation of a municipality shall occur only under a general law providing for affected-community participation and approval by the affected electorate, except where a court-supervised process is necessary to address legal or fiscal incapacity.

### §6.3 Local Finance

(a) Counties and municipalities may levy taxes and incur debt as authorized by law. The State Senate shall establish limits on local indebtedness and shall provide for the oversight of local finances.

(b) Local revenue sources shall be provided by law and may include property taxation.

(c) The State shall distribute to counties and municipalities such funds as the State Senate appropriates for local purposes. The State Senate may by law establish equalization payments to address disparities in local fiscal capacity.

### §6.4 Local Elections

Elections for county and municipal offices shall be conducted by the State in accordance with uniform standards prescribed by law and the National Voting System requirements of the Constitution of the Federated Republic. Results and certifications shall be published to the Corindal Register, and election disputes shall be subject to judicial review.

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## ARTICLE VII — AMENDMENT

### §7.1 Proposal

Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by:

(a) a resolution passed by a two-thirds vote of the authorized membership of the State Senate; or

(b) an initiative petition signed by qualified electors of the State equal in number to at least eight percent of the votes cast in the most recent gubernatorial election, and containing the full text of the proposed amendment.

### §7.2 Ratification

(a) A proposed amendment shall be submitted to the qualified electors of the State at a general election or a special election called for that purpose.

(b) An amendment is adopted if it receives a majority of the votes cast on the amendment statewide.

(c) The State Senate shall by law establish the procedure for initiative petitions, including signature verification and the timing of the referendum.

### §7.3 Constitutional Convention

(a) The question of whether to call a constitutional convention shall be submitted to the qualified electors of the State at the general election held in every twentieth year following the adoption of this Constitution.

(b) If a majority of those voting on the question approve the calling of a convention, the State Senate shall by law provide for the election of delegates and the convening of the convention within two years.

(c) Any constitution or amendment proposed by the convention shall be submitted to the qualified electors and shall be adopted if it receives a majority of votes cast.

### §7.4 Constitutionally Protected Institutions

The following institutions may not be abolished, suspended, or materially displaced by statute, emergency action, or executive order, but remain fully subject to repeal or amendment through the procedures established in this Article:

(a) the Corindal Development Commission established in §5.2; and

(b) the unicameral structure of the State Senate established in §3.1.

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## ARTICLE VIII — GENERAL PROVISIONS

### §8.1 The Corindal Register

(a) There shall be a Corindal Register, which shall be the permanent public repository of all official acts of the State and shall be maintained in a manner compatible with the National Registry System as required by the Constitution and laws of the Federated Republic.

(b) The following shall be published to the Corindal Register:

 (i) all laws enacted by the State Senate;

 (ii) all executive orders, proclamations, veto objections filed under §2.5, and official acts of the Governor;

 (iii) all opinions, orders, and judgments of the Supreme Court;

 (iv) all rules and regulations promulgated by executive departments;

 (v) the annual budget and all appropriation acts;

 (vi) the proceedings of the State Senate, including votes cast;

 (vii) the annual reports and audited accounts of the Corindal Development Commission and its significant final decisions as defined by law;

 (viii) the agenda, minutes, and votes of every State board, commission, and agency;

 (ix) State and local election results and certifications; and

 (x) such other matters as the State Senate may prescribe by law.

(c) The Corindal Register shall be maintained in a form freely accessible to the public at all times. Information may be withheld only on grounds narrowly and specifically defined by law for legitimate purposes including personal privacy, active investigations, legally protected commercial information, or public security, and any withholding shall be subject to judicial review.

(d) No official act entered in the Register may be silently altered, destroyed, or permanently concealed. A correction or lawful later modification shall preserve the original entry and the record of the change.

### §8.2 Oath of Office

Every officer of the State, before taking up the duties of office, shall take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the Federated Republic and the Constitution of the State of Corindal, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office to which I am called, to the best of my ability."

No other oath shall be required. No religious test shall be imposed as a qualification for any office.

### §8.3 Supremacy of Federal Constitution

This Constitution is subordinate to the Constitution of the Federated Republic in all matters. Where a provision of this Constitution is found to conflict with the Republic's Constitution, the Republic's Constitution shall prevail, and the conflicting provision shall be void to the extent of the conflict, without affecting the validity of the remaining provisions.

### §8.4 Continuity of Laws

All laws, ordinances, regulations, and rules in effect in the territory now comprising the State of Corindal at the time this Constitution takes effect shall continue in force until amended, repealed, or superseded, insofar as they are consistent with this Constitution.

### §8.5 Continuity of Offices

All persons holding office in the territory now comprising the State of Corindal at the time this Constitution takes effect shall continue in their respective offices for the remainder of their lawful terms, or as otherwise provided by this Constitution or law. No holdover under this section displaces a succession or acting-officer mechanism established by this Constitution.

### §8.6 Effective Date

This Constitution shall take effect on the date of its ratification by the qualified electors of Corindal, as certified under the Constitution of the Federated Republic.

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*Adopted by the people of Corindal in the Year __ of the Federated Republic.*