Quick Sheet · Constitution of the Federated Republic
Article III — The Legislature
Two chambers, one bill path. The Assembly proposes; the Senate ratifies, confirms, and tries. Neither can act for the other — and the constitution specifies exactly what each requires to act at all.
The Two Chambers
The Assembly
Lower Chamber · §3.1–3.3
Sized by population (Webster method) · min. 1 seat per State/Territory · 2-year terms
All legislation originates in the Assembly
Speaker elected by absolute majority of full seated membership
Member financial interests disclosed to LM, published to NRS
Expulsion: 2/3 of full seated Assembly · Quorum: absolute majority
Districts drawn by States subject to 5 constitutional criteria (§3.3)
All legislation originates in the Assembly
Speaker elected by absolute majority of full seated membership
Member financial interests disclosed to LM, published to NRS
Expulsion: 2/3 of full seated Assembly · Quorum: absolute majority
Districts drawn by States subject to 5 constitutional criteria (§3.3)
The Senate
Upper Chamber · §3.5–3.6
2 senators per State regardless of population · 6-year staggered terms (3 classes)
Reviews, may amend within the bill's subject matter · Confirms appointments
Member financial interests disclosed to LM, published to NRS
Expulsion: 2/3 of full seated Senate
Treaty ratification: 2/3 of full seated Senate · Trade agreements: simple majority both chambers
Acts as trial chamber for Assembly-initiated removal proceedings (§3.10)
Reviews, may amend within the bill's subject matter · Confirms appointments
Member financial interests disclosed to LM, published to NRS
Expulsion: 2/3 of full seated Senate
Treaty ratification: 2/3 of full seated Senate · Trade agreements: simple majority both chambers
Acts as trial chamber for Assembly-initiated removal proceedings (§3.10)
How a Bill Becomes Law
Assembly introduces
→
Single-subject check §3.4
→
Assembly vote (abs. majority)
→
Senate review ≤90 days
→
Final passage both chambers
→
Dual consul review 10 bus. days → see Art. II
§3.1 — Senate window
Senate must act within period defined by statute, not to exceed 90 days. Inaction triggers automatic deemed approval — both consuls still review. The Senate may vote (majority of full seated membership) for one 30-day extension, with cause published to the NRS; no further extension.
Senate must act within period defined by statute, not to exceed 90 days. Inaction triggers automatic deemed approval — both consuls still review. The Senate may vote (majority of full seated membership) for one 30-day extension, with cause published to the NRS; no further extension.
§3.4 — Single subject
Every bill addresses one clearly defined subject. Either Speaker may request an LM assessment of compliance, published to NRS. Violation voids the bill.
Every bill addresses one clearly defined subject. Either Speaker may request an LM assessment of compliance, published to NRS. Violation voids the bill.
§3.7 — Passage floor
Absolute majority of full seated membership of both chambers. Higher thresholds (2/3, 60%) apply to full seated membership — including single-chamber votes.
Absolute majority of full seated membership of both chambers. Higher thresholds (2/3, 60%) apply to full seated membership — including single-chamber votes.
Senate's Distinct Powers
| Action | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Treaty ratification | 2/3 full seated Senate |
| Treaty withdrawal affirmation | 2/3 full seated Senate · ≤90 days |
| Trade agreement approval | Simple majority · both chambers |
| SC justice confirmation | 2/3 full seated Senate · ≤120 days |
| Inferior court confirmation | 2/3 full seated Senate · ≤90 days |
| Monitor General confirmation | Simple majority · Senate |
| LC domain veto override | 2/3 full seated Senate · any time that session |
| CC formation Stage 2 | 2/3 full seated Senate · names sitting Assembly member |
| LC domain officer removal | Senate majority of full seated (§2.4) |
| Member expulsion | 2/3 full seated Senate |
Removal Pathways · §3.10
Each office has one removal route, and no statute may invent others: LC → §2.13 · CC → §2.6 · SC justices → §4.3.a · inferior judges → §4.2 · legislators → own chamber (2/3) or State recall · LC domain officers → Senate majority (§2.4) · ministers → CC's pleasure (§2.5) · independent officers → §9.9. Criminal liability is always separately pursuable.
Delegation · §3.15
Legislature may delegate defined authorities to either consul or independent agencies. Delegation must specify: scope · subject · duration. Rescindable at any time by simple majority of both chambers. Delegate may not sub-delegate beyond what statute authorizes.
Numbers Worth Remembering
1
Seat minimum per State and Territory — Assembly size otherwise grows with population (Webster method) · 2-year terms
2
Senate seats per State regardless of population · 6-year staggered terms · 3 classes
90
Day ceiling on Senate action on Assembly bills (§3.1) · Also: treaty withdrawal Senate window (§3.6)
§3.8
Legislative oversight · All three Monitors have full access to legislative records; Legislature may not withhold · Legislative privilege protects members from civil proceedings for official acts consistent with §1.22; does not extend to criminal conduct or acts the LM has assessed as constitutional breaches
Notable Provisions
§3.9 — Independent Agencies
Legislature may establish agencies outside both executives. Qualification standards must be facially neutral — may not exclude candidates on basis of policy view, party affiliation, or prior public criticism of the Legislature or either executive.
§3.11 — Electoral Mandate Inviolability
No act of the Legislature, either executive, any court, or any Monitor may shorten a constitutionally defined term. Removal under constitutionally specified processes is the only exception.
§3.14 — Legislative Competence
General authority for peace, order, and good governance. May not enact legislation that destroys States' capacity to govern their reserved functions, or that is incompatible with the constitutionally entrenched rights floor.