Page:Provisions of the Government of the Ryukyu Islands (1952 English version).pdf/8

CA Ord. No. 68 2. No items under consideration will be unduly delayed by the Legislature in its deliberations, or held in committee beyond a reasonable length of time.

3. The Legislature is hereby vested with authority to conduct investigations and to order the attendance and testimony of witnesses, and to order the production of books and papers or documents, before the Legislature as a whole or before any committee thereof. In such cases, the provisions of law concerning the inquiry of witnesses, as stated in the Code of Civil Procedure and subsequent modification by competent legislation shall apply with the exception of those provisions relating to detention or administrative fine. Any witness thus ordered to appear before the Legislature as a whole or before any committee thereof may be paid per diem expenses as determined by the Legislature, or as provided for by law.

4. Conduct of members, witnesses and visitors during sessions of the Legislature shall be controlled by the Speaker, as prescribed by the Legislature. Misconduct and violations of lawful orders of the Legislature shall be punished as provided for by law. The legislature may punish its members for disorderly behaviour, and, with the concurrence of three-fourths of the members elected thereto, expel a member. Persons, other than members of the Legislature, who hold the authority of the Legislature in contempt may be tried by court action.

5. Any member of the Legislature may introduce a bill or a resolution. However, such bill or resolution may be prepared by the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive, or by any official, agency, activity or by a citizen's group or private individual.

6. Enactments by the Legislature shall be mede by a majority vote of the members present, a quorum being present at the time of such enactments.

7. A session of the legislature shall be open to the public, provided that, on a motion of three or more members, a resolution, for holding a secret sitting has been adopted by the majority of two-thirds or more of the members present, a secret session may be held.

Members of the Legislature shall receive an annual salary and required travel and operational expenses as provided for by law. However, no per diem shall be allowed members of the Legislature for days they are absent from Legislative sessions and for days during which the Legislature is not in session, unless on authorized business. The salaries, travel and operational expenses of the Chief Executive, the Deputy Chief Executive, the members of the Court of Appeals and other courts, as well as of other employees or officials, of the Government of the Ryukyu Islands, shall be provided for by law in accordance with budgetary limitations. 8