ASUI Senate tabled a bill to amend the Constitution for the creation of a Judicial Branch that would be known as the ASUI Supreme Court after a 20-minute discussion.
Sen. Sam Harrich sponsored the bill. The intent of the bill states that currently the ASUI Supreme Court, which is under the Rules and Regulation committee, is ill-suited to provide proper adjudication. The bill also states that to fulfill the fullest potential the ASUI Supreme Court must be a separate judicial branch.
The goal of creating a separate judicial branch would place the ASUI Supreme Court as the superior body of ASUI and be tasked with interpreting the constitution, rules and regulations, ASUI bylaws and any other applicable documents that pertain to ASUI actions.
The court would be composed of three justices, the bill stipulates. It would have the ability to deem actions, proceedings and legislation as either legal or illegal in accordance with ASUI bylaws. No decisions would be made by the supreme court without a majority vote.
The bill guarantees the ability to appeal decisions through a two to three person vote of the Senate, the same process in place to override presidential vetoes.
There was discussion on whether or not members of the court would be paid members.
Sen. Hannah Spear said the Senate should look into working with a department such as political science to have Judicial Branch members receive credit for holding a position.
Sen. Jesse Smith suggested that the court should be opened to members of the law school and be year long positions. The Supreme Court would be composed of three Supreme Court Justices. The Supreme Court would have the ability to deem actions, proceedings and legislation as either legal or illegal. No decisions would be made by the Supreme Court without a majority vote.
This bill guarantees the ability to appeal Supreme Court decisions. Appeals would follow the same process as bills vetoed by the president.
The Senate tabled the bill for discussion and revision by Sen. Harrich.
During Presidential communications, ASUI President Nicole Skinner asked senators to promote the upcoming Party at the Polls event on Tues. Nov. 6 from 2 to 8 p.m. She encouraged Senators to invite as many students as possible to the upcoming event. Skinner said that all are welcome to the event even if they do not plan on voting or already have cast their vote.
“It’s a celebration of civic engagement,” Skinner said.
Ellamae Burnell can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @EllamaeBurnell