The Assembly of The South Pacific is the primary legislative authority of the Coalition. The principal function of the Assembly is to pass bills (a proposal for a new law or a change to an existing one). However, beyond legislating, the Assembly also serves as a place where:

• Elections for the Cabinet and the Chair of the Assembly, as well as the first round of the Delegate elections, are held;
  
• the confirmation of High Court Justices take place: and
  
• other similar appointments are presented and voted upon (such as those to the Legislator Committee and the Council on Regional Security).

Law-making

The Assembly makes new laws or amends laws currently in place. To make or amend a law, a Legislator first introduces the bill in the Assembly’s Main Chamber. Other Legislators will then comment and make suggestions to the bill. After an appropriate amount of time, the bill can be brought to a vote. A bill becomes law if a certain majority (simple or supermajority) vote to pass the bill. However, if the bill affects the gameside community of TSP, it will be voted on in a regional poll.

Formation of Government

The Cabinet of TSP is elected from among and by Legislators. The Cabinet is responsible for managing crucial aspects of TSP’s governance, such as foreign, regional, and military affairs. A nation needs to be a Legislator to both contest an election for a Cabinet position as well as vote in that election. Many successful candidates for Cabinet have previously contributed to the Assembly in meaningful ways, such as writing bills or participating in debates.

Oversight of Government

The Assembly acts as a check and balance on the Government as part of a Separation of Powers. A Separation of Powers is where different groups of individuals possess powers unique to each group, to avoid any one group from monopolising power. In TSP, the Assembly makes laws, the Cabinet administers the region, and the High Court interprets and applies the law.

Minimum requirements in order to be eligible for Legislator status

Any person is eligible to become a Legislator so long as:

• the Legislator Committee does not believe that they are seeking membership in bad faith;
  
• they have a nation in The South Pacific (it does not need to be the main nation, nor one holding World Assembly membership — although the latter is strongly recommended);
  
• are not attempting to join with multiple nations or identities; and
  
• are not considered by the Council on Regional Security to be a significant risk to regional security.

The Application Process

1. Create a new thread in the Welcoming and Registration Centre with a title of your choosing.
   
2. Introduce yourself.
   
3. Copy and paste the contents of the Application Form, and fill the form out.
   
4. Post the thread.

(Read more about becoming a Legislator)

In order to maintain their status as a Legislator, a person must vote in at least half of the votes each month that there are two or more votes.

There are three exceptions to this:

1. If a Legislator has received a Leave of Absence, they are exempt from the voting requirement for the period they are absent.
   
2. New Legislators are exempt for the month in which they joined.
   
3. The Chair of the Assembly may exercise their discretion and exempt a Legislator with extenuating circumstances.