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State of San Andreas
Official Press Release
From the desk of Jennifer Clarkson:
Full transcript of Senate Resolution 16: https://forum.gta.world/en/topic/59245- ... dia-rules/
Full transcript of SB 48: https://forum.gta.world/en/topic/57989- ... ent-619219
Archived by Deputy Director Jennifer Clarkson on this date of: 23OCT2021
For Immediate Release to the General Public:
Senate Resolution Number 16 Adopted, Senate Bill 48 Fails Voting:
September 6th, 2021: Today’s session within the Senate had a slow start, but drew a rather large crowd of citizens given it was open to the public. The first order of business was Senate Resolution Number Sixteen. This Resolution essentially sets forth a set of rules and regulations for media and disruptive recording activity. The resolution was set forward by Senator Valeria Reyes, who spoke on this issue at the start of the session. There was little discussion on the issue before the senators voted unanimously to adopt the resolution.
Things became more heated once Senator Rudy Benson introduced Senate Bill 48, Unfit Vehicles Ban From Roads Of 2021. The goal of this Senate bill, if passed, would be to prohibit the use of all terrain vehicles and dirt bikes on paved roads within city limits. Senator Benson stated during the session that he knew the bill might be unpopular. However he also emphasized it was designed to ensure the safety of San Andreas citizens as well as a means for crime suppression before it occurs within city limits.
After Senator Benson’s opening remarks, Senator Reyes offered a rebuttal. Senator Reyes had held an online poll which concluded that 79% of the Los Santos Population was against Senate Bill 48. Senator Reyes continued this line of thought by stating that ATVs and Dirt bikes are primarily used for leisure and the Senate would ultimately be restricting the freedoms of the citizens of Los Santos. Senator Reyes also stated that many citizens would have to sell their ATVs or dirt bikes if they could not find a way to transport them to the county area. She also implied that there could be a spike in crime if the bill passed, having no effect on criminals.
Senator Benson then responded by stating that he and his colleagues felt that the poll did not reflect the population of San Andreas as it was done on a small scale of around one hundred individuals. A passionate, yet unruly crowd interrupted him in the middle of his rebuttal. After Senate President Pro Tempore Wade called for silence and Senator Benson continued. He stated that he did not wish to punish citizens, but ATVs and dirt bikes typically lacked safety features required for paved roads, which could cause more fatal car crashes.
Minority Leader Jones addressed the floor briefly trying to hit on several of the points made by others. She stated that she felt that the bill would have minimal impact on crime as there were other inexpensive vehicles available for criminals and in the end criminals wouldn't pay attention to the bill to begin with. She also stated that she felt that there should be some sort of safety measure for vehicles that might be completely road legal, such as dirt bikes.
Senator Reyes once again addressed the senate stating that lack of safety features shouldn't be used to ban entire classes of vehicles. Senator Reyes also quoted several laws that were already in place to deal with individuals using vehicles during crimes. She reiterated that the laws of the State of San Andreas exist to punish criminals, not law-abiding citizens.
Senator Benson was recognized and the crowd became unruly once more. Senate President Pro Tempore Wade called for guards to dismiss anyone that created a disturbance during the session.
Senator Benson resumed as things settled back in stating that although the effects on criminals might be minimal it would still allow peace officers to act in a proactive manner. Senator Benson stated that the democratic party was not addressing this bill as they would something similar such as gun licenses. Restricting rights to proactively prevent crime.
Senator Reyes attempted to debate further, but the session was running thin, and Senate President Pro Tempore Noah Wade was required to call the Senate to a vote.
In the end Senator Reyes, Senator Beltran, and Senator Ulf all voted Nay. Senator Benson, Senator Munoz, and Senate President Pro Tempore Wade voted Yea. Senate Minority Leader Jones abstained from vote. The Senate President was not present for a tie breaker, thus the bill failed to pass the senate.
Senator Benson and Reyes were both available for comment after the session.
Senator Benson stated that he was disappointed in how the voting turned out after the debate, but not surprised. He further stated that it would not stop him from continuing to work for the people of San Andreas.
Senator Reyes stated that there were already many laws in place to combat the addressed issue. She stated that she felt it was good that the bill had not passed as it would have created public outrage. She attributed this to how it could have punished the entire population while most likely having little effect on criminals. Finally, she emphasized that she would continue to protect the rights and freedoms of everyday citizens as well to serve the people to the best of her ability.
Things became more heated once Senator Rudy Benson introduced Senate Bill 48, Unfit Vehicles Ban From Roads Of 2021. The goal of this Senate bill, if passed, would be to prohibit the use of all terrain vehicles and dirt bikes on paved roads within city limits. Senator Benson stated during the session that he knew the bill might be unpopular. However he also emphasized it was designed to ensure the safety of San Andreas citizens as well as a means for crime suppression before it occurs within city limits.
After Senator Benson’s opening remarks, Senator Reyes offered a rebuttal. Senator Reyes had held an online poll which concluded that 79% of the Los Santos Population was against Senate Bill 48. Senator Reyes continued this line of thought by stating that ATVs and Dirt bikes are primarily used for leisure and the Senate would ultimately be restricting the freedoms of the citizens of Los Santos. Senator Reyes also stated that many citizens would have to sell their ATVs or dirt bikes if they could not find a way to transport them to the county area. She also implied that there could be a spike in crime if the bill passed, having no effect on criminals.
Senator Benson then responded by stating that he and his colleagues felt that the poll did not reflect the population of San Andreas as it was done on a small scale of around one hundred individuals. A passionate, yet unruly crowd interrupted him in the middle of his rebuttal. After Senate President Pro Tempore Wade called for silence and Senator Benson continued. He stated that he did not wish to punish citizens, but ATVs and dirt bikes typically lacked safety features required for paved roads, which could cause more fatal car crashes.
Minority Leader Jones addressed the floor briefly trying to hit on several of the points made by others. She stated that she felt that the bill would have minimal impact on crime as there were other inexpensive vehicles available for criminals and in the end criminals wouldn't pay attention to the bill to begin with. She also stated that she felt that there should be some sort of safety measure for vehicles that might be completely road legal, such as dirt bikes.
Senator Reyes once again addressed the senate stating that lack of safety features shouldn't be used to ban entire classes of vehicles. Senator Reyes also quoted several laws that were already in place to deal with individuals using vehicles during crimes. She reiterated that the laws of the State of San Andreas exist to punish criminals, not law-abiding citizens.
Senator Benson was recognized and the crowd became unruly once more. Senate President Pro Tempore Wade called for guards to dismiss anyone that created a disturbance during the session.
Senator Benson resumed as things settled back in stating that although the effects on criminals might be minimal it would still allow peace officers to act in a proactive manner. Senator Benson stated that the democratic party was not addressing this bill as they would something similar such as gun licenses. Restricting rights to proactively prevent crime.
Senator Reyes attempted to debate further, but the session was running thin, and Senate President Pro Tempore Noah Wade was required to call the Senate to a vote.
In the end Senator Reyes, Senator Beltran, and Senator Ulf all voted Nay. Senator Benson, Senator Munoz, and Senate President Pro Tempore Wade voted Yea. Senate Minority Leader Jones abstained from vote. The Senate President was not present for a tie breaker, thus the bill failed to pass the senate.
Senator Benson and Reyes were both available for comment after the session.
Senator Benson stated that he was disappointed in how the voting turned out after the debate, but not surprised. He further stated that it would not stop him from continuing to work for the people of San Andreas.
Senator Reyes stated that there were already many laws in place to combat the addressed issue. She stated that she felt it was good that the bill had not passed as it would have created public outrage. She attributed this to how it could have punished the entire population while most likely having little effect on criminals. Finally, she emphasized that she would continue to protect the rights and freedoms of everyday citizens as well to serve the people to the best of her ability.
Attachments
Full transcript of SB 48: https://forum.gta.world/en/topic/57989- ... ent-619219
Notes
All current and future media inquiries may be directed to the office of Strategic Communications and Outreach at [email protected] or [email protected] All information contained within this press release is recorded and archived with the State of San Andreas, and can be retrieved via official request.
Archived by Deputy Director Jennifer Clarkson on this date of: 23OCT2021