[Order of Malta] Laws of The Order

[Odinson]

GRAND MASTER'S EDICTS

The Grand Master is the Head of State of the Order as well as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. On top of being the symbolic head of the Order, he is also invested with numerous non-ceremonial roles. Perhaps one of the most politically significant of these is his ability to write and enforce "Edicts". Edicts are executive orders that only the Grand Master can issue, and carry the force of law. Edicts are not to be casually issued, but instead exist to provide the Grand Master with a tool to govern the Order and Malta in times of emergency, or issue immediate changes to the law that are of pressing national importance. After being signed into force, it is required that a copy of the signed edict is given to the Grand Chancellor, who then must issue a copy to the other Grand Officers as well as the Prime Minister, who informs Parliament. Parliament may revise or reverse any edict issued by the Grand Master. Some edicts are classified as "secret", but these are still made available to the aforementioned parties.



ACTS OF PARLIAMENT

The Parliament is bicameral. The lower of the two houses is known as the House of Representatives, and the upper house is called the Crimson Council. The House of Representatives is made up of elected MPs from across the Maltese islands, is partisan, and nominates a Prime Minister who is officially appointed by the Grand Master. The Crimson Council is non-partisan and comprised entirely of senior knights from the Order; members of the Crimson Council are appointed by various parts of the Order. All binding resolutions originate in the House of Representatives where, if passed, they then go to the Crimson Council to have their constitutionality debated. The Crimson Council may send resolutions back to the House of Representatives with revisions for them to consider. After a resolution makes it through both houses, it officially becomes an "Act of Parliament". The last step is for the Grand Master to sign it into law, which is expected to be done except for extenuating circumstances. Parliament is able to write and abolish law within the bounds of the constitution, and may even revise or reverse edicts issued by the Grand Master. Sessions of either House of Parliament are not televised or open to the public.​

 

[Odinson]

THE CORPORATE FUNDING EDICT OF 1995

A Grand Master's Edict
7 March 1995
Secret


The Grand Master authorizes Cash Injections into Maltese corporations. If the companies accept a Cash Injection, then they must adhere to certain consequences and conditions.


MAY IT BE RESOLVED
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1. Cash Injections
A. The government may, with permission from the Grand Master, inject up to one-billion scudi at a time into corporations that are Maltese owned and operated.
B. The government may not perform Cash Injections if the Treasury has insufficient funds.
C. The government may not take out loans in order to perform Cash Injections.
D. Cash Injections are only to be performed when in the national interest of Malta.
E. The corporation receiving a Cash Injection must be a willing participant and must make all of their financial information available to the Order.
F. The corporation receiving a Cash Injection does not have to report the injection as revenue or net income.
G. The corporate leaders of the corporation receiving a Cash Injection must first be presented with a copy of this edict before they may receive a Cash Injection. The corporate leaders made aware of this edict must keep it secret.

2. Corporate Consequences
A. Any corporation that receives a Cash Injection may be nationalized in times of war or national emergency.
B. Any corporation that receives a Cash Injection must have at least one member of the Order as a voting member of their Board of Directors. This member will be chosen directly by the Grand Master, or someone designated by him.

Signed,

Arthur Sinclair
Prince and Grand Master

​

 

[Odinson]

THE AIRBASE CONSTRUCTION ACT OF 1995

An Act of Parliament
15 March 1995


Parliament authorizes and requires the Priory of War to construct two airbases for the purpose of defending the nation.


MAY IT BE RESOLVED
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1. Construction Order
A. The Priory of War shall find two suitable locations in the nation for the construction of airbases that will provide an adequate defense Malta and Gozo.
B. The Priory of War may survey, measure, and make plans for the construction of these airbases and may enter private land to do so after providing written notice at least seventy-two hours in advance.
C. While conducting surveys, measuring, and making plans for construction, the Priory of War shall not seize personal effects or enter privately owned buildings without the permission of the property-owner.
D. The Priory of War must ensure that these airbases are capable of housing the proper aircraft and personnel to mount a proper defense of the nation.
E. The Priory of War may contract the construction and surveying of this land to a Maltese-owned company in good standing with the government.
F. The locations of these airbases must not hender the day-to-day operation of Malta International Airport or Malta Freeport.

2. Seizing of Land
A. The Priory of War may seize a reasonable amount of private land for these airbases; this land may not be of exceptional economic, cultural, historical, or natural importance.
B. Any seizure of land must be preceded by a written notice presented seventy-two hours in advance; residencies shall be given one month's time to vacate the premises before they are entered or altered in anyway, but this does not apply to the surrounding property.
C. The Priory of War may take over public land for this purpose, but it must not violate the standards set in Section 2, Part A.
D. The Priory of War must compensate landowners for the fair market value of the land which is being seized.
E. The Priory of War may not seize assets, personal effects, items, money, food, goods, or anything else besides the property itself and structures which are physically located on said property.

3. Budget
A. The Priory of War is hereby issued a budget of 300,000,000 scudi to complete this task.
B. The Priory of War must plan to stay at or under this budget when constructing these airbases.


Signed,

Arthur Sinclair
Prince and Grand Master

Troy Olivari
Prime Minister

Edgar Vella
Speaker of The House of Representatives

William Tabone
President of The Council of Knights

​

 

[Odinson]

THE HOSPITALLER SERVICE ACT OF 1995

An Act of Parliament
16 March 1995


Parliament authorizes funding for the Priory of Aid to train and organize five-thousand Knights Hospitaller for the purpose of international and domestic medical aid. The Priory of Aid is also authorized to procure equipment and vehicles to aid it in its mission.


MAY IT BE RESOLVED
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1. Hospitaller Service
A. The Priory of Aid is authorized by this Parliament to train and organize 1000 Knights Hospitaller to serve in the Hospitaller Service.
B. The Priory of Aid will ensure that the knights in Part A are trained to at least sufficient and reasonable quality and are capable of safely and properly carrying out their mission.
C. The Priory of Aid is authorized by this Parliament to procure uniforms, personnel equipment, and weapons for these knights.
D. If granted permission by the Grand Master, the Priory of Aid is authorized by this Parliament to contact foreign governments for the purchase of equipment mentioned in Section 2, Part C of this resolution.

2. Budget
A. The Priory of Aid is to be issued 1,000,000,000 scudi for the purpose of training the 1000 Knights Hospitaller.
B. The Priory of Aid is to be issued 560,000,000 scudi for the purpose of procuring two Mercy-class hospital ships. If the hospital ships cannot be procured at this price, then these funds will be returned to the Sovereign Treasury.
C. If two Mercy-class hospital ships may not be procured for the aforementioned price, then this Parliament will revisit the matter of providing vehicles for the Hospitaller Service.


Signed,

Arthur Sinclair
Prince and Grand Master

Troy Olivari
Prime Minister

Edgar Vella
Speaker of The House of Representatives

William Tabone
President of The Council of Knights

​

 

[Odinson]

THE MISSILE DEFENSE ACT OF 1995

An Act of Parliament
16 March 1995
Secret


Parliament authorizes the Priory of War to purchase one-hundred MIM-104 Patriot (PAC-3) systems for the defense of the Maltese islands.


MAY IT BE RESOLVED
​

1. MIM-104 Patriot (PAC-3)
A. Parliament authorizes the Priory of War to purchase 100 MIM-104 Patriot (PAC-3) missile systems.
B. The purchase of these systems, as well as the transfer of funds, is to be Top Secret.
C. The Priory of War is to properly distribute, disperse, and operate these systems in order to defend the nation.
D. The Priory of War may not sell or transfer these weapon systems to other countries, companies, or organizations.

2. Budget
A. The Priory of War is to be issued 400,000,000 scudi for the purpose of purchasing 100 of these systems.
B. Any remaining money not used specifically for the purchase of these weapons must be returned to the Sovereign Treasury.


Signed,

Arthur Sinclair
Prince and Grand Master

Troy Olivari
Prime Minister