Latest news with #amendments
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Extended mayoral term, salary increases and more among proposed charter amendments in NSB
Five years after New Smyrna Beach residents approved changes to the city charter, another set of proposed amendments is on the way for voters to consider, this time involving mayoral terms, primary election rules, city commission salary increases and more. Those changes are in the New Smyrna Beach Charter Review Committee's final report, presented to the City Commission for the first time Monday, July 28. City commissioners appointed the 11-member committee earlier this year to review and propose updates to the charter. The group met seven times since April 1, discussing and voting on proposals to amend city code language regarding several topics. The 11 members were Mark Billings (who served as chair); Spencer Hathaway; Michael Ison; Judy Reiker; Palmer Wilson; Steve Fusilier; Farley Palmer; Sandra Smith; Khalid Resheidat; Diana Puhl; and Dan Rokjer. Chairman Billings presented eight recommendations to the City Commission during a workshop July 28. Seven of the recommendations are proposed modifications to the city charter, while the other requests the city hold a special election with the proposed changes in November. Previous coverage: NSB Charter Review Committee recommends expanding mayor's term, primary election rules During the workshop, city commissioners and residents voiced their views about the proposed changes, which will only appear on the ballot in a special election in 2025 or 2026 if the City Commission gives its final approval. The city published a video on its Facebook and YouTube pages showing clips from the committee's meetings throughout the last three months, highlighting points of discussion and what the process will look like in the future. Proposed amendments to the New Smyrna Beach charter The seven proposed amendments to the city charter include: Increasing the New Smyrna Beach mayor's term from two to four years. Declaring a candidate a winner in the August primary election 'if the individual garners 50% plus one vote of the votes cast, without the need for a vote at the general election.' Designating the city clerk, currently a charter officer post, as an employee under the city manager. Increasing 'the salary of the commission members to 75% of the County Council Chair for the mayor, and 75% of the mayor's salary for the four other commissioners.' Clarifying the 'prioritization of historic preservation, rather than mandating certain actions.' Adopting a new charter section guiding 'all future commissions on the prioritization of the arts and cultural events in the city.' Clarifying and mandating that 'the Charter be reviewed at least once every 10 years.' According to City Attorney Carrie Avallone, 'once the ballot language is finalized, it must be translated into Spanish and then the ordinances will be presented to the City Commission' twice in August; first on Aug. 12 for a first reading, and again on Aug. 26 for a second reading/public hearing, followed by the final vote. NSB commission, residents weigh in on proposed mayoral term extension The committee considered the pros and cons of changing Sec. 2.02 of the city charter, and extending the mayor's term from two to four years. 'The change (in term years) would align (the mayor) with zone commissioners, afford the mayor additional time to gain experience, and thus the energy and time of the mayor would be better served with issues of our community and fewer days managing an election campaign,' Billings said during the meeting. Commissioner Jason McGuirk, who has served the City Commission for the last 16 years, said the topic of mayoral term length is one the most 'debated topics as far back as I can remember.' 'As far as I can tell, it's 50-50,' McGuirk said. 'The idea is that you can throw out a majority (of the City Commission) every two years, if they are that bad.' While the four zone commissioners serve four-year terms, elections for two of the seats happen every two years. This way, New Smyrna Beach voters will always elect a mayor and two commissioners every two years. 'As far as I know that's never happened,' he added. 'Certainly, it might have happened by coincidence if it did, but the city has never been in such peril that they threw out a majority at a single election.' McGuirk said he is 'comfortable either way' on this issue but stressed that 'the voters are going to decide this.' During public comments, Leslie Sachs said she would vote 'no' on the proposed mayor term's extension, as it 'takes away the power of the people to change the commission by majority every two years.' 'The only way I and everyone I spoke with would vote 'yes' would be term limits,' Sachs said. 'Because this shouldn't be a coronation.' Cindy Sniezak said 'the most compelling reason not to change the mayoral term to four years is it keeps that right with the voter' to change the commission majority every election. 'Because there are no term limits, and because the incumbent always has a large advantage, that's not something I'm willing to give up without getting strict term limits in exchange.' Commissioner Valli Perrine highlighted the potential advantages of the extension. 'I've been out there in the weeds trying to campaign, and it's exhausting,' she said. 'It's not about which mayor is up here, because that is going to cycle out and in, but it's the work they have to do when the rest of (city commissioners) don't do that.' Committee proposes increasing, codifying City Commission salaries Another recommendation is 'increasing the compensation of the mayor to 75% of the Volusia County chair and the city commissioners to 75% of the base salary compensation paid to the NSB mayor.' The mayor's base salary is $27,189.24, while each zone commissioner earns $20,329.06. The Volusia County Council chair's current annual salary is $67,394.40, while other council members earn $56,162.00. That would change the city charter's current language, which gives the city commission power to determine the annual salary for the mayor and commissioners by way of ordinance. Cleveland asked Billings the reasoning behind the proposal. 'It was recognized by the committee as a whole that each of you are at many events outside of (City Commission meetings),' Billings said. 'We felt that we are a city that is a role model for other cities … . And we should have leaders that are compensated to align with the duties you are performing.' Billings added that tying the salary figures to Couty Council numbers 'took away the guess work.' 'It didn't make you have to sit and have a discussion about your salary, and what we believe as a committee is that if changes (occur) at the county level, that means something has evolved and changed within our community where it should be accordingly be rolled down to our elected officials,' the committee chair said. Robbie Gibson-Minor said she 'is all for increases in salaries, if it is something the budget will allow.' 'I also understand how difficulty it is to vote on your own salary increase,' Gibson-Minor said. 'But do you want to be tied to another governmental body in the budgeting process? Are there other ways to look at it?' The first reading for the seven proposed ordinances will take place Aug. 12 at 6:30 p.m. Avallone encouraged commissioners to bring any changes or comments to the proposed language that day, 'so that we can make sure it is ready to go on Aug. 26, should we proceed with the November 2025 special election.' The city attorney added that the board should also decide Aug. 12 whether to send the charter amendments to a special election this year or to 2026's general election. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NSB City Charter Committee proposes 7 changes Solve the daily Crossword
Free Malaysia Today
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Cabinet to review Sosma amendments in August, says Saifuddin
Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said stakeholder engagement and discussions with relevant parties on amending Sosma are still ongoing. KUALA LUMPUR : A policy paper proposing amendments to the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) will be presented to the Cabinet in August, says home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. Winding up the debate on Suhakam's 2023 annual report in the Dewan Rakyat today, Saifuddin said among the key reforms being considered is Section 13 of the law, which bars bail for most offences. 'There are at least two issues we're focusing on, including Section 13, which has been raised by many MPs (throughout the debate). This concerns the issue of bailable, non-bailable, and unbailable offences,' he said. Saifuddin said the second issue involves the scope of offences listed under Sosma. 'There are currently 73 types of offences that can lead to a person being detained under Sosma. 'In our engagement sessions, we have so far identified 13 offences that will be removed from the list of offences on which Sosma can be applied,' he said, adding that these sessions are still ongoing. However, Saifuddin did not disclose which offences were being removed. Earlier, Hassan Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang) urged Putrajaya to review Sosma, especially Section 13 of the Act, which imposes a blanket no-bail rule for most offences. In February, Saifuddin was reported to have said that the government was considering allowing bail for certain offences and shortening the 28-day detention period under Sosma. A special committee was formed to study the proposals. Sosma was enforced in 2012 by the Najib Razak administration after the Internal Security Act (ISA) was abolished the same year. Under Sosma, police officers may arrest and detain an individual, whom they believe is involved in security offences, without a warrant. In his winding-up speech, Saifuddin also said Putrajaya is open to reviewing the idea of setting up a special court to handle Sosma cases, amid concerns over long-drawn trials. 'Is the view of Jelutong (RSN Rayer) for a special court to be set up appropriate? This engagement session gives Jelutong ample opportunity to put forward his views,' Saifuddin told the Dewan Rakyat. 'Provide the justification, provide the rationale. If it is considered a reasonable improvement, we will review it,' he said.
LBCI
22-07-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Ukrainian MPs vote to end independence of anti-corruption agencies
Ukrainian MPs on Tuesday approved amendments to remove the independence of two anti-corruption bodies in the war-torn country, a day after the arrest of an official working in one of the agencies. Despite widespread criticism from NGOs and rights groups, parliament voted 263 in favour and 13 against to place the two government anti-corruption agencies under the direct authority of the prosecutor-general, who the president appoints. AFP
ABC News
22-07-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
NSW Liberals will continue to work with MP Mark Latham on sexual harassment amendments
The Coalition will hold its nose and continue working with upper house MP Mark Latham on amendments that would change the definition of sexual harassment, says Opposition Leader Mark Speakman. The proposed amendments to the government's workers compensation bill could prevent some employees who are subject to unwanted sexual advances from claiming compensation. Under the Coalition amendments, for behaviour to qualify as sexual harassment, an accused worker would have to "know" or "should reasonably know" that their sexual advance or conduct was "unwelcome". While the NSW government's bill takes the victim's opinion into account, the Coalition amendments state that an alleged perpetrator's "knowledge and intent" should be the primary factor. Mr Speakman said the changes would still protect workers from "ignorant bigots" but wouldn't necessarily allow employees to claim compensation if a colleague "makes a pass" at them. "It's not just whether the worker who makes a complaint says it's unwelcome," Mr Speakman said. "It's whether there was knowledge, or somebody who was reasonable, ought to have known [it was unwelcome]." A series of amendments to the workers compensation bill carry the name of both Mr Latham and Damien Tudehope, the leader of the opposition in the upper house. They were circulated before news broke that Mr Latham's former partner, Nathalie Matthews, had sought an apprehended violence order against him. Police are not involved in the matter and the independent MP has labelled Ms Matthews' claims "comically false and ridiculous" whilst vowing to defend himself in court. Last week, it also emerged that Mr Latham had sent disparaging photos and comments about some female MPs to Ms Matthews, which he said was part of an "in-joke" that had been taken out of context. He has since apologised, describing the photos as "ill-advised". Mr Speakman, who has just returned from leave, said Mr Latham's behaviour on the floor of parliament was "deplorable". "But they're the cards with which we've been dealt." He said Mr Latham had been duly elected by the people of NSW, so the Coalition would continue to work with him. "Sometimes you've got to hold your nose," he said. During a lengthy media conference on Saturday, Mr Latham said he'd had numerous conversations with government ministers about the passage of legislation. Mr Speakman said it showed the government was being hypocritical in its repeated demands that the Coalition sever ties with the independent MP. "What we won't do is pretend, like the government does, that we don't work with Mark Latham." The state government introduced its workers compensation bill earlier this year, in an effort to reduce premiums for employers, which are rising by an average of eight per cent a year. Under the changes, workers would be cut off from regular compensation payments after two-and-a-half years, unless they can prove a whole-person impairment of at least 31 per cent. The measure is designed to significantly reduce the benefits being paid to employees with psychological injury claims, which are rising rapidly. Mr Speakman said the government's plan would cut off support to victims of "severe" sexual harassment, when it should be preventing claims which have little merit. "[The problem] is not long-term benefits for a subset of workers," he said. He said that changing the definition of sexual harassment would be "much fairer and more productive" and denied it would excuse poor workplace behaviour. "If you have a bigot, who should know better, and makes unwelcome sexual advance, that will be covered by the amendment we proposed. "If the government wants to come up with alternative wording, we're happy to look at that," he said.
Zawya
21-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman streamlines business governance with key amendments to commercial companies regulations
In a significant move to enhance Oman's business regulatory environment, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion (MOCIIP) has enacted Ministerial Decision 245/2025, amending pivotal provisions within the existing Commercial Companies Regulation (Ministerial Decision 146/2021). These amendments, effective from 11 July 2025, target specific operational and administrative requirements for companies operating within the Sultanate, aiming to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and clarify governance structures. Speaking exclusively to the Times of Oman, a representative of Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm, a leading law office in Oman, explained that 'the first major amendment overhauls the procedure for appointing external company managers in Limited Liability Companies (LLCs). Previously, Article 92 mandated that applications to appoint a non-partner manager, particularly if the manager was non-Omani, required not only the manager's written approval but also written consent from their current employer. The written consent requirement from the Employer has been eliminated entirely.' The revised Article 92 now states that 'the appointment may be registered through the Ministry's electronic system based solely on the written approval of the appointed manager.' In practice, this reflects a shift in procedure: since the employer is the one initiating the appointment, separate employer consent is now deemed inherent and no longer needs to be uploaded as a standalone document. 'This procedural refinement removes redundant documentation and enables LLCs to appoint managerial talent—both Omani and expatriate—with greater efficiency, while still preserving necessary employer oversight through the system itself,' said Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Zadjali, the Founding Partner of Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm. He further added that a completely new provision, Article 13bis, has been introduced to explicitly define the scope of individuals authorised to legally represent a company as its 'authorised signatory.' This crucial addition clarifies that valid signatories must fall into one of four defined categories: partners collectively or individually; the owner of the company's capital; any member of its board of directors; or its manager or any of its financial and administrative workers. 'This definition provides much needed certainty regarding corporate representation, reducing ambiguity in contractual and legal dealings. It ensures that only individuals with a demonstrable stake or formal role within the company structure possess the inherent authority to bind the company, thereby enhancing transactional security and mitigating risks associated with unauthorised representations.' Companies subject to the Commercial Companies Regulation are granted a six-month transitional period to align their internal structures and documentation particularly manager appointment records and authorised signatory designations with these updated requirements. Failure to comply after this deadline could expose companies to administrative penalties or challenges regarding the validity of managerial appointments or contractual signatures. These changes underscore Oman's proactive approach to improving its regulatory framework to support business growth and investment, the expert said. © Muscat Media Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
