THE MID-ATLANTIC & TEXAS JUNIOR STATES WINTER CONGRESS 2015

2015 LEGISLATIVE INDEX

COMMITTEE CHAIRS & CLERKS COMMITTEE PARTY WHIPS PROPOSED LEGISLATION 2015 BILL INDEX

MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX

COMMITTEE CHAIRS & CLERKS

Senate A House A Chair: Nikita Rednam, South Brunswick H.S. Chair: Alex Kaunzinger, Biotechnology H.S. Clerk: Miriam Minsk, Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Clerk: Hasin Tasneem, South Brunswick H.S.

Senate B House B Chair: Natasha Rubright, South Jersey Chapter Chair: Ryan Seffinger, Bergen County Academies Clerk: Zack Schapire, Princeton H.S. Clerk: Jonathan Lee, Old Mill H.S.

Senate C House C Chair: Becky Shults, Renaissance Council Chapter Chair: Alex Martin, Princeton H.S. Clerk: Kaitlyn Ellsweig, Manalapan H.S. Clerk: Zach Gill, Renaissance Council Chapter

Senate D House D Chair: Steven Bradley, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School Chair: Yuyan Pu, Conestoga H.S. Clerk: Laura Whelan, Kent Place School Clerk: Alyssa Hwang, Kent Place School

Senate E House E Chair: Jayne Touati, Freehold Township H.S. Chair: Rooble Bagga, West Windsor-Plainsboro H.S. North Clerk: Bill Lee, High Tech H.S. Clerk: Iqra Ahmed, Secaucus H.S.

Senate F House F Chair: Lydia Trogdon, Broughton H.S. Chair: Won Joon Kang, Leonia H.S. Clerk: Rithvik Kondai, Rutgers Preparatory School Clerk: Sarah Ha, Bergen County Academies

Senate G House G Chair: Simran Singh, Conestoga H.S. Chair: Maddie Langfitt, Easton H.S. Clerk: Rita Wang, John P. Stevens H.S. Clerk: Arielle Vertsman, Fort Lee H.S.

Senate H House H Chair: Ian Baum, Marlboro H.S. Chair: Samantha Jaeger, St. John Vianney H.S. Clerk: Nirali Patel, Secaucus H.S. Clerk: Daniel Zhao, Morris Hills H.S.

Senate I House I Chair: SJ Hyman, Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Chair: Roberto Ruiz, Leonia H.S. Clerk: Giancarlo Lorusso, Scotch Plains - Fanwood H.S. Clerk: Anna Prisco, Bergen County Academies

Senate J House J Chair: Maya Reyes, Secaucus H.S. Chair: Jeremy Kaplan, Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Clerk: Roy Kim, Biotechnology H.S. Clerk: Shruty Shrestha, South Brunswick H.S.

2 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX

COMMITTEE PARTY WHIPS

Democratic Party Leader: Republican Party Leader: Anne Li, Bergen County Academies Victoria Phelps, Conestoga H.S.

Senate A House A Democrat: Madeleine Norman, Princeton H.S. None Republican: Gabriel Swagel, Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School House B None Senate B Democrat: Sandy Pecht, Bergen County Academies House C Republican: Justin Greenman, Scotch Plains - Fanwood H.S. Democrat: Justin Linetski, Bergen County Academies Republican: Eva Isaacs, Scotch Plains - Fanwood H.S. Senate C Democrat: Anne Li, Bergen County Academies House D Republican: Victoria Marquez, Oakcrest School None

Senate D House E Democrat: Hannah Hyams, Conestoga H.S. Democrat: Allie Brown, Old Mill H.S. Republican: Victoria Johnson, Biotechnology H.S. Republican: Nithin Vejendla, Rutgers Preparatory School

Senate E House F Democrat: George Iskander, High Tech H.S. Democrat: Christa Andersen, Colts Neck H.S. Republican: Dylan Mullins, Colts Neck H.S. Republican: Akash Garg, Bergen County Academies

Senate F House G Democrat: Adi Melamed, Bergen County Academies None Republican: Steve O’Keefe, Colts Neck H.S. House H Senate G Democrat: Kevin Guo, Watchung Hills Regional H.S. Democrat: James Lowell III, Bergen Catholic H.S. Republican: Mark G. Lalo, Parsippany Hills H.S. Republican: Henry Campos, Biotechnology H.S. House I Senate H Democrat: Hugo Santos, Colts Neck H.S. None Republican: Victoria Phelps, Conestoga H.S.

Senate I House J Democrat: Bryce Robins, Leonia H.S. Democrat: Alec Faber, Morris Hills H.S. Republican: Liam Coohill, Bergen County Academies Republican: Dominic Conoshenti, Colts Neck H.S.

Senate J None

3 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX

SENATE & HOUSE COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

Sen./Rep. Name Delegation Committee Bill Role Senator Albert Gordon Bergen Catholic Senate B Representative Gianpaolo Uribe Bergen Catholic House A Representative Hanlon Lowell Bergen Catholic House A Representative James Freirich Bergen Catholic House A Senator James Lowell Bergen Catholic Senate G Whip Representative Luke Barnard Bergen Catholic House B Senator Thomas Harte Bergen Catholic Senate B Representative William Haracz Bergen Catholic House B Senator Adi Melamed Bergen County Academies Senate F 604F Whip, Sponsor Representative Akash Garg Bergen County Academies House F Whip Representative Alexander Lekan Bergen County Academies House C Senator Ambrosia Ferro Bergen County Academies Senate B 201B Sponsor Representative Amin Jassim Bergen County Academies House C Representative Amira Arora Bergen County Academies House C Representative Anna Prisco Bergen County Academies House I Clerk Senator Anne Li Bergen County Academies Senate C 301C Whip, Sponsor Senator Bea Lee Bergen County Academies Senate A 102A Sponsor Senator Christina Rymond Bergen County Academies Senate H 801H Sponsor Senator Daniel Gu Bergen County Academies Senate B Representative Danny Yim Bergen County Academies House H 801H Sponsor Representative Ethan Zang Bergen County Academies House C Representative Evan Shi Bergen County Academies House D Representative Greg Volynsky Bergen County Academies House D Representative Hyobin Im Bergen County Academies House A 102A Sponsor Representative Jacqueline Sun Bergen County Academies House A 102A Sponsor Representative Justin Linetski Bergen County Academies House C 301C Whip, Sponsor Representative Justin Shetty Bergen County Academies House D Representative Kellen Mcdonald Bergen County Academies House C 301C Sponsor Senator Kevin Barry Bergen County Academies Senate H 801H Sponsor Senator Liam Coohill Bergen County Academies Senate I Whip Bill Room Maria Mendoza Bergen County Academies Bill Room 102A Sponsor Senator Matt Monaco Bergen County Academies Senate C Representative Nicolette Tovstashy Bergen County Academies House E Representative Nikita Dsouza Bergen County Academies House E Representative Olivia Vladyka Bergen County Academies House H 801H Sponsor Senator Ryan Murphy Bergen County Academies Senate C

4 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Representative Ryan Seffinger Bergen County Academies House B 201B Chair, Sponsor Senator Sandy Pecht Bergen County Academies Senate B 201B Whip, Sponsor Representative Sarah Ha Bergen County Academies House H Sponsor Representative Tarek Mohammed Bergen County Academies House H 801H Sponsor Representative William Chung Bergen County Academies House E Representative Aakansha Kumar Biotechnology H.S. House H Senator Aditi Patel Biotechnology H.S. Senate E Representative Akansha Khurana Biotechnology H.S. House F 802H Sponsor Representative Alex Kaunzinger Biotechnology H.S. House A Chair Representative Alex Yang Biotechnology H.S. House G 701G Sponsor Representative Alice Zhang Biotechnology H.S. House F Senator Alison Pagalilauan Biotechnology H.S. Senate E Representative Aneesha Doshi Biotechnology H.S. House B 202B Sponsor Representative Anshul Agrawal Biotechnology H.S. House G Representative Ashima Tiwari Biotechnology H.S. House F Representative Ben Buckman Biotechnology H.S. House F Representative Brian Meng Biotechnology H.S. House G Senator Burton Ye Biotechnology H.S. Senate G 701G Sponsor Representative Calvin Wang Biotechnology H.S. House G Senator DeVonn Smith Biotechnology H.S. Senate E Representative Gabrielle De Los Biotechnology H.S. House G Santos Senator Gabrielle Granata Biotechnology H.S. Senate H 802H Sponsor Representative Gabrielle Poliak Biotechnology H.S. House E 501E Sponsor Representative Gavin Fernandes Biotechnology H.S. House H Representative Harsheen Singh Biotechnology H.S. House H Senator Henry Campos Biotechnology H.S. Senate G 701G Whip, Sponsor Senator Ingrid Song Biotechnology H.S. Senate F Representative Jacob Barabas Biotechnology H.S. House B 202B Sponsor Senator Jennifer Hom Biotechnology H.S. Senate H 802H Sponsor Representative Joanna Barton Biotechnology H.S. House H Senator Johnny Lucas Biotechnology H.S. Senate B 202B Sponsor Representative Juliana DiGiacomo Biotechnology H.S. House I Representative Kathryn Medrow Biotechnology H.S. House I Senator Lana Salloum Biotechnology H.S. Senate E 501E Sponsor Representative Laura Vorbach Biotechnology H.S. House I Senator Matteo Guzman Biotechnology H.S. Senate B 202B Sponsor Representative Michael Langevin Biotechnology H.S. House J Representative Nihar Desai Biotechnology H.S. House J Representative Nina Samuel Biotechnology H.S. House J Senator Nora Murphy Biotechnology H.S. Senate F

5 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Senator Patricia Magistrado Biotechnology H.S. Senate G Representative Riya Singh Biotechnology H.S. House E 501E Sponsor Senator Roy Kim Biotechnology H.S. Senate J Clerk Representative Saaketh Kanikicharla Biotechnology H.S. House G 701G Sponsor Senator Sanjana Akula Biotechnology H.S. Senate G Senator Sarah Lin Biotechnology H.S. Senate H Senator Selena Nandiwada Biotechnology H.S. Senate E 501E Sponsor Representative Siddharth Iyer Biotechnology H.S. House B 202B Sponsor Senator Simran Tatuskar Biotechnology H.S. Senate H Representative Sonal Mahindroo Biotechnology H.S. House A Senator Taseen Alam Biotechnology H.S. Senate I Representative Thomas Lehan Biotechnology H.S. House A Representative Tyler Sapp Biotechnology H.S. House E 501E Sponsor Senator Victoria Johnson Biotechnology H.S. Senate D Whip Senator Vineeth Gopu Biotechnology H.S. Senate I Representative Adam Geringer Broughton H.S. House B Senator Alexandria Doherty Broughton H.S. Senate J Senator Hannah Buan Broughton H.S. Senate J Representative Harris Wheless Broughton H.S. House B Representative Liam Wall Broughton H.S. House B Senator Lydia Trogdon Broughton H.S. Senate F Chair Senator Philip Cave Broughton H.S. Senate A Representative Samuel J. Braden Broughton H.S. House B Senator Alysse Weinberg Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Senate B Representative Ari Feuer Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School House C Representative Arielle Weinstein Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School House A 103A Sponsor Representative Benjamin Shrock Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School House C Representative Caleb Gershengorn Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School House A 103A Sponsor Senator Cole Cooper Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Senate B Representative Eli Lerner Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School House C Senator Gabriel Swagel Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Senate A Whip Representative Ilana Winter Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School House D Representative Jared Bauman Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School House F 601F Sponsor Representative Jeremy Kaplan Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School House J Chair Representative Joey Shoyer Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School House D Senator Jonah Shrock Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Senate B Senator Jonathan Foldi Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Senate F 601F Sponsor Representative Joshua Paretsky Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School House D Senator Matthew Ost Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Senate A 103A Sponsor Representative Michael Berkowitz Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School House E Senator Miriam Minsk Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Senate A 103A Clerk, Sponsor

6 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Senator SJ Hyman Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Senate I Representative Uri Schwartz Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School House E Senator Yonatan Greenberg Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Senate C Representative Alex Zipper Colts Neck H.S. House G Representative Almira Demirovic Colts Neck H.S. House E 502E Sponsor Senator Alysha Jaitly Colts Neck H.S. Senate B Representative Alyssa Chin Colts Neck H.S. House E 502E Sponsor Representative Amanda Hawley Colts Neck H.S. House E 502E Sponsor Representative Carly Herman Colts Neck H.S. House G Senator Chris Meehan Colts Neck H.S. Senate A Representative Christa Andersen Colts Neck H.S. House F Whip Representative Dan Visone Colts Neck H.S. House G Representative Deeraiya Islam Colts Neck H.S. House C 302C Sponsor Representative Devin Clementi Colts Neck H.S. House G Representative Dominic Conoshenti Colts Neck H.S. House J Whip Senator Dylan Serrentino- Colts Neck H.S. Senate E 502E Whip, Mullins Sponsor Senator Elizabeth Bell Colts Neck H.S. Senate B Representative Emily Morris Colts Neck H.S. House I Representative Erin Barrett Colts Neck H.S. House F 602F Sponsor Senator Francesca Edralin Colts Neck H.S. Senate C 302C Sponsor Representative Hugo Santos Colts Neck H.S. House I Whip Representative Jackie Stern Colts Neck H.S. House H Representative Jacqueline Albury Colts Neck H.S. House C 302C Sponsor Representative Jenna Brando Colts Neck H.S. House I Senator Jessica Greenberg Colts Neck H.S. Senate C Representative Joshua Korn Colts Neck H.S. House I Representative Julia Bava Colts Neck H.S. House I Senator Julia Citron Colts Neck H.S. Senate F 602F Sponsor Representative Kaitlin Meeks Colts Neck H.S. House J Representative Kayleigh Hoagland Colts Neck H.S. House J Representative Madison Rowohlt Colts Neck H.S. House I Representative Matthew Vollaro Colts Neck H.S. House A Senator Megha Jain Colts Neck H.S. Senate C 302C Sponsor Representative Melyssa Brennan Colts Neck H.S. House A Representative Miranda Sapoznik Colts Neck H.S. House A Senator Neha Kushwaha Colts Neck H.S. Senate E Representative Nicole Abelev Colts Neck H.S. House B Senator Rachaita Trivedi Colts Neck H.S. Senate F 602F Sponsor Senator Ryan Lefkowitz Colts Neck H.S. Senate E Representative Samantha Salem Colts Neck H.S. House F 602F Sponsor Representative Samantha Zipper Colts Neck H.S. House B

7 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Representative Shay Greco Colts Neck H.S. House C Senator Shivani Kurapati Colts Neck H.S. Senate F Senator Steve O'Keefe Colts Neck H.S. Senate F Whip Representative Sydney Howard Colts Neck H.S. House F 602F Sponsor Senator Tommy Brennan Colts Neck H.S. Senate E 502E Sponsor Representative William Berry Colts Neck H.S. House D Senator Lillian Murray Columbia H.S. Senate D Representative Noel Murray Columbia H.S. House D Representative Cecilia Mabilais Conestoga HS House G Representative Chris Ferris Conestoga HS House G 702G Sponsor Representative Dan Cancelmo Conestoga HS House G Representative Emily Levine Conestoga HS House G Senator Evan Snyder Conestoga HS Senate G 702G Sponsor Representative Hadley Webster Conestoga HS House G Senator Hannah Hyams Conestoga HS Senate D 401D Whip, Sponsor Representative Helen Grace Edgarton Conestoga HS House H Representative Nikko Markakos Conestoga HS House G 702G Sponsor Senator Rohan Gandhi Conestoga HS Senate D Senator Sarah Jane Elkassmi Conestoga HS Senate D 401D Sponsor Representative Sarah Wang Conestoga HS House H Senator Simran Singh Conestoga HS Senate G 702G Chair, Sponsor Representative Victoria Phelps Conestoga HS House I Whip Representative Yuyan Pu Conestoga HS House D 401D Chair, Sponsor Representative Ana Irías DelCampo International School House I Representative Arturo Ardon DelCampo International School House D 402D Sponsor Representative Camila Munguia DelCampo International School House F 603F Sponsor Representative Camila Ramirez DelCampo International School House E 503E Sponsor Senator Carla Arevalo DelCampo International School Senate D 402D Sponsor Senator Carlos Castro DelCampo International School Senate E Representative César Enrique Elvir DelCampo International School House I Cerrato Representative Claudia Ochoa DelCampo International School House E 503E Sponsor Representative Edwin Panchame DelCampo International School House J Representative Francisco Barón DelCampo International School House D 402D Sponsor Senator Gabriela Funes DelCampo International School Senate D 402D Sponsor Representative Henry Fernandez DelCampo International School House A Representative Isabella Pineda DelCampo International School House A Representative Jonathan Mays DelCampo International School House F 603F Sponsor Representative Julie Centeno DelCampo International School House F 603F Sponsor Representative Luis Turcios DelCampo International School House D 402D Sponsor Representative Manuel Moreno DelCampo International School House B

8 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Representative Maria Fernandez DelCampo International School House C Senator Maria Lozano DelCampo International School Senate F Senator María Murillo DelCampo International School Senate F Senator Mariluz Rivera DelCampo International School Senate E 503E Sponsor Representative Miguel Cáceres DelCampo International School House C Representative Miguel Rivera DelCampo International School House E 503E Sponsor Senator Nour Mihamou DelCampo International School Senate F 603F Sponsor Representative Oscar Diaz DelCampo International School House C Representative Raquel Robles DelCampo International School House D 402D Sponsor Senator Ricardo Roussel DelCampo International School Senate E 503E Sponsor Senator Valeria Bustillo DelCampo International School Senate H Senator Valeria Perdomo DelCampo International School Senate F 603F Sponsor Senator Alex Dundon Easton H.S. Senate C Representative Bridgette Welsh Easton H.S. House B Representative EJ Redondo Easton H.S. House B Senator Eleanor Kilmon Easton H.S. Senate C Representative Emma Langfitt Easton H.S. House B Representative Justin Price Easton H.S. House C Senator Keelin Crouch Easton H.S. Senate C Representatiev Maddie Langfitt Easton H.S. House G Chair Representative Martin Eutsey Easton H.S. House C Representative Matthew DeMateo Easton H.S. House C Senator Matthew Langfitt Easton H.S. Senate D Representative Shiv Patel Easton H.S. House D Representative William Zhao Easton H.S. House D Representative Arielle Vertsman Fort Lee H.S. House G Clerk Senator Daniel Yagudayev Fort Lee H.S. Senate A Representative Gabby Cocco Fort Lee H.S. House F Senator John Ford Fort Lee H.S. Senate B Representative Jose Rosario Fort Lee H.S. House F Representative Marc Routgauzer Fort Lee H.S. House F Senator Nikita Garagulya Fort Lee H.S. Senate B Senator Sunny Son Fort Lee H.S. Senate A Senator Tasha Merchant Fort Lee H.S. Senate G Representative Aidan Scully Freehold Township H.S. House E 504E Sponsor Representative Alexa Alioto Freehold Township H.S. House E Senator Amal Bajwa Freehold Township H.S. Senate E 504E Sponsor Senator Amanda Milo Freehold Township H.S. Senate A 104A Sponsor Representative Angela Costello Freehold Township H.S. House E Senator Brad Escobar Freehold Township H.S. Senate E Representative Emily Dolan Freehold Township H.S. House E 504E Sponsor Senator Jayne Touati Freehold Township H.S. Senate E Chair 9 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Representative John Poole Freehold Township H.S. House E Representative Jonathan Kandell Freehold Township H.S. House F Senator Jonathan O'Brien Freehold Township H.S. Senate F Representative Justin Gordon Freehold Township H.S. House F Senator Karly Pappas Freehold Township H.S. Senate I Representative Michael DeBaere Freehold Township H.S. House F Representative Michael Poosikian Freehold Township H.S. House A 104A Sponsor Representative Nathanial Bixby Freehold Township H.S. House A Representative Pam Olitsky Freehold Township H.S. House A 104A Sponsor Representative Paxton Siegel Freehold Township H.S. House E Senator Rotem Cudkevich Freehold Township H.S. Senate E 504E Sponsor Representative Sarah Barrena Freehold Township H.S. House A 104A Sponsor Senator Suada Demirovic Freehold Township H.S. Senate F Senator Sydney Barrena Freehold Township H.S. Senate A 104A Sponsor Senator Victoria Clark Freehold Township H.S. Senate I Representative Caroline Garrido Gaston H.S. House H Representative Danny Wang Gaston H.S. House H Senator Doris Chen Gaston H.S. Senate G Representative Heather Cheung Gaston H.S. House I Representative Nana Boateng Gaston H.S. House F Representative Robert Geraghty Gaston H.S. House A 105A Senator Ziyu Ge Gaston H.S. Senate A 105A Senator Anna Coleman George School Senate E 505E Sponsor Senator Carly Fried George School Senate C Senator Carol Lopes George School Senate A Representative Charles Ryan George School House E 505E Sponsor Representative Claire Kinnel George School House E 505E Sponsor Representative Daniel Friedenberg George School House F Senator Freesoul Thompson George School Senate A Senator Grant Denmark George School Senate B Representative Hunter Griffin George School House F Senator Jake Seiler George School Senate B Representative James Steen George School House G Representative Josh Hoffman George School House G Senator Kele Alfred-Igbokwe George School Senate H 803H Sponsor Representative Lily af Geijerstam- George School House H 803H Sponsor Lindberg Senator Maanav Patel George School Senate H 803H Sponsor Representative Michael Silver George School House G Senator Morgan Day George School Senate C Representative Sam Mironko George School House H Representative Shawn Bankoff George School House E 505E Sponsor

10 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Senator Skylar Procos George School Senate A Senator Sohan Ganguli George School Senate D Senator Soni Madnani George School Senate D Senator Violet Myles George School Senate E 505E Sponsor Representative William Street George School House H 803H Sponsor Senator Andrew Clark Governor Livingston H.S. Senate F Representative Austen Joa Governor Livingston H.S. House H Senator Caroline Buthe Governor Livingston H.S. Senate F Representative Danny Sanchez Governor Livingston H.S. House H Representative Jaimie Diamond Governor Livingston H.S. House I Representative Jakub Janiak Governor Livingston H.S. House I Representative Jeremy Berlinski Governor Livingston H.S. House I Representative Kalli Faulkner Governor Livingston H.S. House J Senator Rachel Chirichella Governor Livingston H.S. Senate F Representative William Clark Governor Livingston H.S. House J Senator Brian Apple Greensboro Day H.S. Senate C 303C Sponsor Senator Clara Walton Greensboro Day H.S. Senate C 303C Sponsor Representative Cynthia Cote Greensboro Day H.S. House J Representative Hayden Roe Greensboro Day H.S. House J Representative Jake Keeley Greensboro Day H.S. House C 303C Sponsor Representative James Bennett Greensboro Day H.S. House C 303C Sponsor Representative John Cote Greensboro Day H.S. House C 303C Sponsor Representative Kelsey Saunders Greensboro Day H.S. House J Senator Amy Abdalla High Technology H.S. Senate G 703G Sponsor Representative Anya Steinhart High Technology H.S. House B Senator Bill Lee High Technology H.S. Senate E 506E Clerk, Sponsor Senator David Franco High Technology H.S. Senate I Senator Edwin Argudo High Technology H.S. Senate I Senator George Iskander High Technology H.S. Senate E 506E Whip, Sponsor Senator Haroon Hashmi High Technology H.S. Senate J Representative Ivana Rodriguez High Technology H.S. House B Senator Jing Bao High Technology H.S. Senate J Representative Justin Luh High Technology H.S. House C Representative Katie Mayer High Technology H.S. House C Representative Kevin Shi High Technology H.S. House C Representative Kunj Patel High Technology H.S. House D Senator Manasa Chilakala High Technology H.S. Senate A Senator Maria Villalobos High Technology H.S. Senate G 703G Sponsor Representative Matthew Lobo High Technology H.S. House E 506E Sponsor Representative Max Lisimachio High Technology H.S. House J 1001J Sponsor Senator Nick Casias High Technology H.S. Senate A

11 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Representative Rangoli Mittal High Technology H.S. House G 703G Sponsor Senator Ryan Gulati High Technology H.S. Senate B Representative Sabina Ohkawa High Technology H.S. House D Representative Sabit Nasir High Technology H.S. House E 506E Sponsor Representative Samantha Darocha High Technology H.S. House G 703G Sponsor Representative Sheri Elsaker High Technology H.S. House D Representative Tony Houwayek High Technology H.S. House E Senator Vanessa Kirschner High Technology H.S. Senate B Senator Vanshika Sharma High Technology H.S. Senate J 1001J Sponsor Senator Xi'an Tate High Technology H.S. Senate J 1001J Sponsor Representative David Tian J.P. Stevens H.S. House F Representative Kimberly Chang J.P. Stevens H.S. House G 704G Sponsor Representative Maya Merchant J.P. Stevens H.S. House F Representative Muskan Shah J.P. Stevens H.S. House F Senator Rita Wang J.P. Stevens H.S. Senate G 704G Clerk, Sponsor Senator Rohan Arora J.P. Stevens H.S. Senate C Senator Tilak Bhatnagar J.P. Stevens H.S. Senate C Representative Alyssa Hwang Kent Place School House D 403D Clerk, Sponsor Senator Babi Oloko Kent Place School Senate E Senator Caitlyn McGovern Kent Place School Senate E Representative Elizabeth Cook Kent Place School House F Senator Emma Tillyer Kent Place School Senate E Representative Gersandre Gonsalves- Kent Place School House D 403D Sponsor Domond Representative Hanaa Malik Kent Place School House G Senator Isabel Sottille Kent Place School Senate F Representative Julia Cozine Kent Place School House G Senator Laura Whelan Kent Place School Senate D 403D Clerk, Sponsor Senator Michaila Kaufman Kent Place School Senate D 403D Sponsor Representative Orna Madigan Kent Place School House G Representative Sima Parekh Kent Place School House H Representative Sophie Huttner Kent Place School House D 403D Sponsor Representative Sophie Vigeland Kent Place School House H Senator Alba Blaku Leonia HS Senate B Representative Ana Ruiz-Melendez Leonia HS House A Representative Anna Thrasher Leonia HS House A Senator Ashley Elion Leonia HS Senate B Senator Brianna Cahill Leonia HS Senate B Senator Bryce Robins Leonia HS Senate C Representative Casey Kammerman Leonia HS House A Representative Chris Donovan Leonia HS House B

12 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Senator Chris Ozomgi Leonia HS Senate D 404D Sponsor Representative Daniella Barroso Leonia HS House B Senator Dylan Aponte Leonia HS Senate C Senator Dylan Majsiak Leonia HS Senate D Senator Elaine Rim Leonia HS Senate D Representative Evan Cane Leonia HS House C Senator Jackson Marcantonio Leonia HS Senate E Representative Jesse Sifre Leonia HS House C Senator Julian Pecht Leonia HS Senate D 404D Sponsor Representative Mattyar Alborzi Leonia HS House I Senator Mayuri Nagpal Leonia HS Senate F Representative Nasir Ismail Leonia HS House I Representative Nicolas Escalante Leonia HS House I Representative Ollie Racciatti Leonia HS House D 404D Sponsor Representative Roberto Ruiz Leonia HS House I Chair Senator Sebastian Ortiz Leonia HS Senate F Representative Sheya Ameri Leonia HS House E Bill Room Simon Salazar Leonia HS Bill Room Senator Sinem Oguz Leonia HS Senate G Representative Wan Joon Kang Leonia HS House F Representative Zara Ziergerman Leonia HS House E Representative Adam Purzynski Manalapan H.S. House B Senator Aleksander Purzynski Manalapan H.S. Senate C Representative Alex Walker Manalapan H.S. House B Representative Alexander Wu Manalapan H.S. House B Senator Alicia Park Manalapan H.S. Senate C Representative Alliejo Klimasz Manalapan H.S. House B Representative Anthony Sulfaro Manalapan H.S. House C Senator Ariana Eckstein Manalapan H.S. Senate D Senator Ariel Rakovitsky Manalapan H.S. Senate C 304C Sponsor Representative Arin Katchikian Manalapan H.S. House C Representative Austin Fainsod Manalapan H.S. House C Representative Aviva Kern Manalapan H.S. House C 304C Sponsor Senator Briana Marter Manalapan H.S. Senate D Senator Cindy Rishi Manalapan H.S. Senate C 304C Sponsor Representative David Oygenblik Manalapan H.S. House E 507E Sponsor Representative Drew Brendli Manalapan H.S. House E Representative Einar Magnusson Manalapan H.S. House E Senator Farrah Coppolino Manalapan H.S. Senate E Representative Gaurav Singh Manalapan H.S. House F Representative Jamie Gunther Manalapan H.S. House F Senator John Klich Manalapan H.S. Senate F 13 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Representative Julia Marter Manalapan H.S. House F Senator Kaitlyn Ellsweig Manalapan H.S. Senate C Clerk Representative Kajal Patel Manalapan H.S. House G Representative Kasey Shneiderovsky Manalapan H.S. House E 507E Sponsor Senator Kiersten Schmidt Manalapan H.S. Senate E 507E Sponsor Representative Kimberly Mccabe Manalapan H.S. House E 507E Sponsor Senator Krishna Gotur Manalapan H.S. Senate F Representative Milana Mayzlish Manalapan H.S. House G Senator Natalie Kalos Manalapan H.S. Senate E 507E Sponsor Senator Nick Abramo Manalapan H.S. Senate G Representative Noah Leibowitz Manalapan H.S. House H Representative Ruby Chervin Manalapan H.S. House H Senator Sean Downing Manalapan H.S. Senate G Representative Simran Shah Manalapan H.S. House H Representative Sook Brar Manalapan H.S. House I Representative Spencer Goldberg Manalapan H.S. House C 304C Sponsor Senator Stav Sachdev Manalapan H.S. Senate H Representative Taylor Guskind Manalapan H.S. House I Representative Tracey Dantone Manalapan H.S. House I Senator Winston Li Manalapan H.S. Senate H Representative Yasheel Pandya Manalapan H.S. House C 304C Sponsor Representative Zachary Gunther Manalapan H.S. House J Representative Aidan Gray Marion Senior H.S. House A Senator Chase Sturgill Marion Senior H.S. Senate I Representative Mccloud Cox Marion Senior H.S. House A Representative Aashana Patel Marlboro H.S. House I Representative Aditi Kadakia Marlboro H.S. House I Senator Alex Hawley Marlboro H.S. Senate F Representative Amanda Vollaro Marlboro H.S. House I Representative Ambika Sinha Marlboro H.S. House J 1002J Sponsor Representative Arin Chatterjee Marlboro H.S. House I Senator Arjun Sinha Marlboro H.S. Senate I 901I Sponsor Senator Ben Rock Marlboro H.S. Senate G Senator Deeshant Shah Marlboro H.S. Senate G Representative Eliza Li Marlboro H.S. House I Representative Evan Choy Marlboro H.S. House H 804H Sponsor Representative Gabe Tish Marlboro H.S. House J Representative Gabriel Argush Marlboro H.S. House H 804H Sponsor Senator Ian Baum Marlboro H.S. Senate H 804H Chair, Sponsor Representative Isha Patel Marlboro H.S. House I Representative Jonathan Hu Marlboro H.S. House J

14 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Senator Kaitlyn Li Marlboro H.S. Senate H Senator Ledia Dobi Marlboro H.S. Senate H Senator Matt Jones Marlboro H.S. Senate I 901I Sponsor Representative Mitchell Tamashunas Marlboro H.S. House A Representative Mohamed Elrais Marlboro H.S. House I 901I Sponsor Representative Nadine Djailani Marlboro H.S. House A Representative Neha Kuderu Marlboro H.S. House J 1002J Sponsor Senator Philip Luo Marlboro H.S. Senate H 804H Sponsor Senator Pooja Shah Marlboro H.S. Senate I Representative Randy Lai Marlboro H.S. House B Representative Roshni Hari Marlboro H.S. House I 901I Sponsor Senator Sarah Baum Marlboro H.S. Senate J 1002J Sponsor Representative Siddharth Sheth Marlboro H.S. House I 901I Sponsor Representative Skylar Jaegar Marlboro H.S. House B Senator Sofia Mezzasalami Marlboro H.S. Senate I Representative Vanessa Kwok Marlboro H.S. House B Representative Aditya Bhatt Morris Hills H.S. House G Representative Alec Faber Morris Hills H.S. House J Senator Brian Lenz Morris Hills H.S. Senate C Representative Daniel Zhao Morris Hills H.S. House H Clerk Representative Jessica Pan Morris Hills H.S. House D Representative Kathy Zhang Morris Hills H.S. House D Representative Matthew Makuch Morris Hills H.S. House G Senator Michael Raskulenic Morris Hills H.S. Senate D Representative Nalin Chopra Morris Hills H.S. House H Representative Nikhil Avadhani Morris Hills H.S. House H Senator Shalin Mehta Morris Hills H.S. Senate D Representative Shreyas Agnihotri Morris Hills H.S. House H Representative Angela Wu Morris Knolls H.S. House J Senator Cariesha Black Morris Knolls H.S. Senate E 508E Sponsor Senator Daisy Habib Morris Knolls H.S. Senate E Representative Daniela Nieves Morris Knolls H.S. House E 508E Sponsor Representative Danielle Willis Morris Knolls H.S. House J Representative Dimitri Oliveras Morris Knolls H.S. House J Senator Jennifer Weltner Morris Knolls H.S. Senate E Representative Julia Sedwick Morris Knolls H.S. House J Representative Kimmy Mann Morris Knolls H.S. House A Representative Lauren Frid Morris Knolls H.S. House E 508E Sponsor Senator Leighanne Furman Morris Knolls H.S. Senate F Representative Melissa Grieco Morris Knolls H.S. House A Representative Tiarrah Tolliver Morris Knolls H.S. House A Senator Zach Hosler Morris Knolls H.S. Senate F 15 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Senator Akash Patel North Brunswick HS Senate H Representative Ekta Krishnamoorty North Brunswick HS House F Representative Mariam Dar North Brunswick HS House F Representative Momin Dar North Brunswick HS House F Senator Nilay Sharma North Brunswick HS Senate H Representative Prathamesh Bhosale North Brunswick HS House G Representative Stuti Tandon North Brunswick HS House G Representative Aidan Diamond North Jersey H.S. House C Representative Aleksandra Atanasoska North Jersey H.S. House C Senator Anton Popov North Jersey H.S. Senate G Representative Francesca Boccia North Jersey H.S. House C Representative Gabriel Cabello North Jersey H.S. House C Senator Max Munoz North Jersey H.S. Senate G Representative Megan Vasquez North Jersey H.S. House D Representative Roi Vana North Jersey H.S. House D Senator Taylor Rea North Jersey H.S. Senate H Representative Waira Uribe North Jersey H.S. House D Representative Catherine Baird Oakcrest House E Representative Catherine Reilly Oakcrest House E Senator Grace Pluta Oakcrest Senate B 203B Sponsor Representative Jill Collins Oakcrest House F Representative Sarah Santorum Oakcrest House B 203B Sponsor Senator Theresa Abela Oakcrest Senate J Senator Victoria Marquez Oakcrest Senate C Whip Representative Alec Helm Ocean City H.S. House F Senator Charity Beckert Ocean City H.S. Senate J Representative Elisa Martinez Ocean City H.S. House I 902I Sponsor Senator Liza Milov Ocean City H.S. Senate I 902I Sponsor Representative Matt Catanoso Ocean City H.S. House F Senator Matthew Unsworth Ocean City H.S. Senate J Senator Nick Eisele Ocean City H.S. Senate I 902I Sponsor Senator Oliver Trout Ocean City H.S. Senate A Representative Taylor Barth Ocean City H.S. House I 902I Sponsor Representative Travis Longstaff Ocean City H.S. House I 902I Sponsor Representative Allie Brown Old Mill H.S. House E Whip Representative Angela Zahn Old Mill H.S. House I Representative Fabiola Navichoque Old Mill H.S. House G Representative Faye Barrett Old Mill H.S. House I Senator Jacqueline Oh Old Mill H.S. Senate A Senator Joi Pride Old Mill H.S. Senate A Representative Jonathan Lee Old Mill H.S. House B Clerk Representative Olabimpe Old Mill H.S. House G 16 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Amokomowo Representative Ronal Coello-Munguia Old Mill H.S. House G Senator Samuel Aston Old Mill H.S. Senate B Representative Sterling Prudencio Old Mill H.S. House G Representative Tatiana Bodnar Old Mill H.S. House I Representative Ahmad Malik Parsippany Hills H.S. House I Senator Alexa Porter Parsippany Hills H.S. Senate C 305C Sponsor Senator Andrea Alfonso Parsippany Hills H.S. Senate B Senator Andrew Topitz Parsippany Hills H.S. Senate C Senator Anjit Pingle Parsippany Hills H.S. Senate C Representative Anthony Kfoury Parsippany Hills H.S. House I Senator Anthony Salazar Parsippany Hills H.S. Senate D Representative Arjun Nagendran Parsippany Hills H.S. House I Senator Ben Frigeri Parsippany Hills H.S. Senate D Representative Daniel Mondschein Parsippany Hills H.S. House C 305C Sponsor Representative David Sudit Parsippany Hills H.S. House I Representative Evan Lee Parsippany Hills H.S. House C 305C Sponsor Representative Jayna Patel Parsippany Hills H.S. House I 903I Sponsor Senator John Sincak Parsippany Hills H.S. Senate I 903I Sponsor Senator Juliana Triano Parsippany Hills H.S. Senate E Senator Karan Chauhan Parsippany Hills H.S. Senate C 305C Sponsor Representative Katie DeMottie Parsippany Hills H.S. House I 903I Sponsor Senator Kyle berry Parsippany Hills H.S. Senate E Senator Luke Ferrante Parsippany Hills H.S. Senate F Representative Mark Lalo Parsippany Hills H.S. House H Whip Senator Matthew Schaaf Parsippany Hills H.S. Senate F Representative Michael Cerri Parsippany Hills H.S. House J Representative Muhammed Afnan Parsippany Hills H.S. House J Malik Senator Neha Shah Parsippany Hills H.S. Senate I 903I Sponsor Representative Ravi Parekh Parsippany Hills H.S. House C 305C Sponsor Representative Sean Ryerson Parsippany Hills H.S. House A Representative Shiv Patel Parsippany Hills H.S. House A Representative Sophia Uricoli Parsippany Hills H.S. House A Senator Vish Naik Parsippany Hills H.S. Senate G Senator Vishal Mansuria Parsippany Hills H.S. Senate G Representative Zachary Steinberg Parsippany Hills H.S. House B Senator Zohair Hasan Parsippany Hills H.S. Senate H Representative Adrian Martinez Plainfield H.S. House C Senator Alan Galarza Plainfield H.S. Senate H Senator Alero Buwa Plainfield H.S. Senate I Senator Alsan Diouf Plainfield H.S. Senate I

17 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Representative Anajah Hamilton Plainfield H.S. House C Senator Asha Amin Plainfield H.S. Senate J Senator Ashley Vasquez Plainfield H.S. Senate J Representative Brando Galaraza Plainfield H.S. House C Representative Brandon Baker Plainfield H.S. House C Representative Chinenyenwa Amaechi Plainfield H.S. House D Senator Dale Harris Plainfield H.S. Senate A Representative Daniel Castillovetti Plainfield H.S. House D Senator Daniella Hoyte Plainfield H.S. Senate F 605F Sponsor Senator Edward Dawson Plainfield H.S. Senate A Senator Erick Luna Plainfield H.S. Senate B Senator Estephany Flamenco Plainfield H.S. Senate G 705G Sponsor Representative Gabriel Beniquez Plainfield H.S. House D Senator Geovany Castilloveitia Plainfield H.S. Senate B Senator Ivory Fennell Plainfield H.S. Senate C Representative Jade Addison Plainfield H.S. House E Senator Jarrett Brown Plainfield H.S. Senate F 605F Sponsor Senator Jasmine Huggins Plainfield H.S. Senate C Representative Jayvon Roberson Plainfield H.S. House E Representative Johan Mora Plainfield H.S. House E Senator Johnny Vasquez Plainfield H.S. Senate D Representative Johny Proano Plainfield H.S. House F Representative Juan Reyes Plainfield H.S. House F Senator Kamley Younes Plainfield H.S. Senate D Senator Katara Baskerville Plainfield H.S. Senate E Senator Katherine Rivera Plainfield H.S. Senate I 904I Sponsor Representative Kyana Jones Plainfield H.S. House F Representative Lawrence Lizardo Plainfield H.S. House G Representative Madlyn Lartey Plainfield H.S. House I 904I Sponsor Representative Maria Ramirez Plainfield H.S. House G 705G Sponsor Representative Michael Acosta Plainfield H.S. House G Representative Milani Hernandez Plainfield H.S. House G Representative Minah Fagan Plainfield H.S. House F 605F Sponsor Senator Myia Samuels Plainfield H.S. Senate E Representative Mykael Slaughter Plainfield H.S. House H Senator Nicholas Allen Plainfield H.S. Senate F Representative Nikaiyah Nelson Plainfield H.S. House H Representative Norman Rodgers Plainfield H.S. House F 605F Sponsor Senator Pedro Liriano Plainfield H.S. Senate F Senator Rolando Martinez Plainfield H.S. Senate I 904I Sponsor Representative Tatyana Aguilar Plainfield H.S. House H Representative Tenaya Washington Plainfield H.S. House I 18 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Senator Vanessa Sibaja Plainfield H.S. Senate G Senator Veronica Smith Plainfield H.S. Senate G Senator William Guzman Plainfield H.S. Senate H Representative Ysan Massey Plainfield H.S. House I Representative Alexander Martin Princeton H.S. House C 306C Chair, Sponsor Representative Ameya Hadap Princeton H.S. House F 606F Sponsor Representative Beth Blizzard Princeton H.S. House B 204B Sponsor Senator Henry Bartman Princeton H.S. Senate F 606F Sponsor Representative Jacob Sirota Princeton H.S. House J Senator Jamaica Ponder Princeton H.S. Senate F 606F Sponsor Senator Justin Ho Princeton H.S. Senate H Representative Maddy Troilo Princeton H.S. House A 106A Sponsor Senator Madi Norman Princeton H.S. Senate A 106A Whip, Sponsor Representative Michael Arato Princeton H.S. House J Representative Michael Meyer Princeton H.S. Senate A 106A Sponsor Representative Nora Aguiar Princeton H.S. House A 106A Sponsor Senator Philip Trevisan Princeton H.S. Senate C 306C Sponsor Senator Ryan D'souza Princeton H.S. Senate C 306C Sponsor Representative Samuel Weiss Princeton H.S. House C 306C Sponsor Representative Sierra Zareck Princeton H.S. House J Representative Sydney Reynolds Princeton H.S. House B 204B Sponsor Senator Theo Trevisan Princeton H.S. Senate B 204B Sponsor Senator Zack Schapire Princeton H.S. Senate B 204B Clerk Senator Erika Wozunk Renaissance Council School Senate J Representative Grace Renauro Renaissance Council School House A Representative Gracie Gottschling Renaissance Council School House A Representative Maelle Farrow Renaissance Council School House B Representative Olivia Romano Renaissance Council School House B Senator Rebecca Shults Renaissance Council School Senate C Chair Senator Satchel Bell Renaissance Council School Senate J Senator Stephen Kimball Renaissance Council School Senate J Representative Zach Gill Renaissance Council School House C Clerk Senator Alexis Anderson Roxbury H.S. Senate B Senator George Lu Roxbury H.S. Senate B Representative Griffin Williams Roxbury H.S. House B Representative Jacqueline Ennis Roxbury H.S. House G 706G Sponsor Senator Loren Maletsky Roxbury H.S. Senate G 706G Sponsor Representative Matt Murtha Roxbury H.S. House C Representative Sullivan Sharkey Roxbury H.S. House G 706G Sponsor Representative Anthony Guglin Rutgers Preparatory H.S. House D Senator Arjun Ahluwalia Rutgers Preparatory H.S. Senate G 707G Sponsor

19 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Representative Benjamin Coons Rutgers Preparatory H.S. House D Senator Daniel Ramallo Rutgers Preparatory H.S. Senate C Representative Felipe Peres Rutgers Preparatory H.S. House D Representative Jacky Zou Rutgers Preparatory H.S. House F 607F Sponsor Representative Jen Selingo Rutgers Preparatory H.S. House D Representative Kevin Tuazon Rutgers Preparatory H.S. House E Representative Kyle Rosen Rutgers Preparatory H.S. House E Representative Luke Masella Rutgers Preparatory H.S. House E Representative Michael Barbato Rutgers Preparatory H.S. House F Representative Michael Coiro Rutgers Preparatory H.S. House G 707G Sponsor Representative Michael Sullivan Rutgers Preparatory H.S. House F Representative Nithin Vejendla Rutgers Preparatory H.S. House E Whip Representative Owen Chavez Rutgers Preparatory H.S. House F Senator Pratik Reddy Rutgers Preparatory H.S. Senate F 607F Sponsor Senator Rebekah Park Rutgers Preparatory H.S. Senate G 707G Sponsor Senator Rithvik Kondai Rutgers Preparatory H.S. Senate F 607F Clerk, Sponsor Representative Stephanie Abreu Rutgers Preparatory H.S. House G Representative Tynan Gardner Rutgers Preparatory H.S. House F 607F Sponsor Senator Vignesh Jagathese Rutgers Preparatory H.S. Senate C Representative Arren Puri Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. House H Senator Caitlin Bourke Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. Senate D 405D Sponsor Senator Darren Mascioli Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. Senate B 206B Sponsor Representative Debina Mukherjee Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. House H Representative Dylan Redfield Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. House B 206B Sponsor Representative Elise Mann Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. House H Representative Emily Boyle Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. House B 205B Sponsor Representative Erik Willis Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. House H Senator Erin Chaippi Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. Senate C Representative Eva Isaacs Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. House J Whip Representative Gali Zaborowski Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. House H Senator George Leichtling Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. Senate D Senator Giancarlo LaRusso Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. Senate D Representative Gianna Rosello Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. House I Senator Jack Musso Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. Senate E Representative Jacob Salem Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. House I Representative Jim DiFrancesco Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. House I Senator Joseph Witkowski Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. Senate E Senator Justin Greenman Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. Senate B 205B Whip, Sponsor Representative Kevin Westerlund Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. House J Representative Lucy Palmer Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. House J Senator Matthew Itzkowitz Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. Senate F

20 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Representative Maxwell Ross Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. House B 205B Sponsor Representative Mikaela Rose Tajo Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. House D 405D Sponsor Representative Morgan Chemidlin Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. House J Senator Nadia Racaniello Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. Senate F Representative Pasquale Maioriello Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. House B 206B Sponsor Representative Renee Mannino Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. House A Representative Riley Chin Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. House A Senator Rohan Suresh Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. Senate B 205B Sponsor Representative Sam Loop Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. House A Representative Sean Sobel Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. House B Representative Van Kleemeyer Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. House B Representative Victoria Gonzalez Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. House B Senator Alexandria Beloch Seagoville H.S. Senate H Senator Alysa Irvin Seagoville H.S. House D Representative Jaegur Patton Seagoville H.S. House D Representative Kyra Ughulu Seagoville H.S. House D Senator Michael Merrick Seagoville H.S. Senate H Representative Rebecca Chavarria Seagoville H.S. House D Senator Victoria Denestan Seagoville H.S. Senate H Representative Abel Shenkut Secaucus H.S. House D Representative Abubakr Ahmed Secaucus H.S. House J 1003J Sponsor Representative Abutalha Ahmed Secaucus H.S. House C 307C Sponsor Representative Akash Rana Secaucus H.S. House D Representative Akshay Patel Secaucus H.S. House D Senator Ayush Singh Secaucus H.S. Senate G Senator Bishoy Said Secaucus H.S. Senate J 1003J Sponsor Senator Brandon Halpin Secaucus H.S. Senate G Representative David Perez Secaucus H.S. House D Representative Dylan Beauchamp Secaucus H.S. House E Representative Elijah Soba Secaucus H.S. House C 307C Sponsor Senator Emily Flores Secaucus H.S. Senate G Representative Fedah Mohammed Secaucus H.S. House E Representative Fresia Retana Secaucus H.S. House E Senator Gillian Mosher Secaucus H.S. Senate B 207B Sponsor Representative Hadiqa Shahid Secaucus H.S. House F Senator Hannah Canonigo Secaucus H.S. Senate H Representative Hava Mamudi Secaucus H.S. House F Representative Heidi Koukourdelis Secaucus H.S. House B 207B Sponsor Senator Ian Fox Secaucus H.S. Senate C 307C Sponsor Representative Iqra Ahmed Secaucus H.S. House E Clerk Representative Jake Green Secaucus H.S. House C 307C Sponsor Representative Kalsang Sherpa Secaucus H.S. House F 21 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Representative Karishma Vaswani Secaucus H.S. House G Representative Kush Shah Secaucus H.S. House J 1003J Sponsor Representative Leonardo Rubio Secaucus H.S. House G Senator Luciano DiGiorgio Secaucus H.S. Senate H Senator Maria Gigante Secaucus H.S. Senate I 905I Sponsor Representative Mariam Said Secaucus H.S. House I 905I Sponsor Representative Marina Rezk Secaucus H.S. House B 207B Sponsor Representative Maryel Cardenas Secaucus H.S. House I 905I Sponsor Senator Maya Reyes Secaucus H.S. Senate J Chair Representative Mehek Parikh Secaucus H.S. House G Senator Michael Alfarano Secaucus H.S. Senate I Senator Michael Altamura Secaucus H.S. Senate I Senator Myron Yang Secaucus H.S. Senate J Senator Nader Alkhabhaz Secaucus H.S. Senate J Representative Natalia Kukulka Secaucus H.S. House H Senator Nicholas Marciano Secaucus H.S. Senate J 1003J Sponsor Representative Niketan Baranwal Secaucus H.S. House H Senator Nirali Patel Secaucus H.S. House H Clerk Senator Pranav Jaideep Secaucus H.S. Senate A Representative Rami Atoot Secaucus H.S. House H Senator Robert Kimelman Secaucus H.S. Senate C 307C Sponsor Representative Sai Moturi Secaucus H.S. House I Senator Suhail Kapoor Secaucus H.S. Senate A Senator Tej Patel Secaucus H.S. Senate B Senator Victoria De La rosa Secaucus H.S. Senate B Senator Victoria Saniko Secaucus H.S. Senate I 905I Sponsor Representative Vinit Parikh Secaucus H.S. House I Representative Vito DiGiorgio III Secaucus H.S. House I Representative Alex Badillo Simon Gratz Charter School House D Representative Cashey Davis Simon Gratz Charter School House D Senator Jadea Morris Simon Gratz Charter School Senate A Representative Joshua Brown Simon Gratz Charter School House D Senator Kourtnee McClaren Simon Gratz Charter School Senate A Representative Maytayne Jackson-Bey Simon Gratz Charter School House D Representative Michael Fuster Simon Gratz Charter School House B Representative Nashay Chase Simon Gratz Charter School House B Representative Shawntae Henderson Simon Gratz Charter School House B Representative Tylesha Garrett Simon Gratz Charter School House B Representative Abhishek Allaka South Brunswick H.S. House A Senator Ahan Sikri South Brunswick H.S. Senate C Representative Anagha Kalelkar South Brunswick H.S. House H 806H Sponsor Senator Avinash Kaimal South Brunswick H.S. Senate C 22 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Representative Benjamin Wang South Brunswick H.S. House A Senator Bijan Saba South Brunswick H.S. Senate D Representative Caitlyn Fontana South Brunswick H.S. House H 806H Sponsor Senator Dhwani Sikri South Brunswick H.S. Senate D Representative Gowri Cheepurupalli South Brunswick H.S. House A 107A Sponsor Representative Hajar Habib South Brunswick H.S. House H 806H Sponsor Representative Hasin Tasneem South Brunswick H.S. House A 107A Clerk, Sponsor Representative Irma Qavolli South Brunswick H.S. House A Representative Jaskirat Vig South Brunswick H.S. House A Senator Josh Bambulkar South Brunswick H.S. Senate H 806H Sponsor Representative Khamis Isayeva South Brunswick H.S. House B Senator Kunal Gupta South Brunswick H.S. Senate E Senator Kunal Pathak South Brunswick H.S. Senate E Representative Nathan Pane South Brunswick H.S. House B Senator Nikita Rednam South Brunswick H.S. Senate A 107A Chair, Sponsor Senator Nupur Khare South Brunswick H.S. Senate F Representative Parminder Ghotra South Brunswick H.S. House B Representative Pranav Baskar South Brunswick H.S. House J 1004J Sponsor Senator Rucha Dave South Brunswick H.S. Senate J 1004J Sponsor Senator Sanya Manchanda South Brunswick H.S. Senate F Representative Shaila Kalra South Brunswick H.S. House C Senator Shama Vaidya South Brunswick H.S. Senate H 806H Sponsor Representative Shaown Bhattacharyya South Brunswick H.S. House J 1004J Sponsor Senator Shivangi Singh South Brunswick H.S. Senate J 1004J Sponsor Representative Shruthi Katipally South Brunswick H.S. House J 1004J Sponsor Representative Shruty Shrestha South Brunswick H.S. House J 1007J Clerk, Sponsor Representative Tejas Latupalli South Brunswick H.S. House C Representative Vivek Bharadwaj South Brunswick H.S. House C Representative Abby Meyer South Jersey H.S. House E Senator Anna Wilson South Jersey H.S. Senate G Representative Annabelle Ford South Jersey H.S. House H 807H Sponsor Senator Ben Haas South Jersey H.S. Senate G Representative Isaac Trefsgar South Jersey H.S. House E Representative Jamilyn Donaldson South Jersey H.S. House H 807H Sponsor Representative John Tabor South Jersey H.S. House E Senator Kerryn MacMichael South Jersey H.S. Senate H 807H Sponsor Representative Laura Boyajian South Jersey H.S. House E Senator Natasha Rubright South Jersey H.S. Senate B Chair Senator Noah Poli South Jersey H.S. Senate H Representative Ricky Kushay South Jersey H.S. House F

23 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Bill Room Ruth Boyajian South Jersey H.S. Senator Sreeram Mandava South Jersey H.S. Senate H Representative Tierra Tobin South Jersey H.S. House F Senator Tina DiStefano South Jersey H.S. Senate H 807H Sponsor Senator Zach Chinaglia South Jersey H.S. Senate I Representative Samantha Jaeger St. John Vianney House H Chair Representative Alvaro Rivera St. John's H.S. House G Representative Augusto Roca St. John's H.S. House G Representative Carlos Serrano St. John's H.S. House G Representative Carola Reyes St. John's H.S. House G Senator Darius Griebenow St. John's H.S. Senate I Representative Diego Rojo St. John's H.S. House H Representative Enrique Vazquez St. John's H.S. House F 608F Sponsor Representative Fabián Colón St. John's H.S. House F 608F Sponsor Representative Ignacio Rodriguez St. John's H.S. House H Representative Ivia Bou St. John's H.S. House G 708G Sponsor Senator Jonathan Fusté St. John's H.S. Senate J Senator Katia Carrady St. John's H.S. Senate J Senator Kelvin Mo St. John's H.S. Senate F 608F Sponsor Senator Kevin Vergne St. John's H.S. Senate A Representative Luisa Baez St. John's H.S. House G 708G Sponsor Senator Myrna Suarez St. John's H.S. Senate A Senator Olivia Katz St. John's H.S. Senate G 708G Sponsor Senator Pablo Zalduondo St. John's H.S. Senate B Representative Pilar Larrea St. John's H.S. House H Senator Sammy Barlia St. John's H.S. Senate G 708G Sponsor Representative Sariana Mendez St. John's H.S. House I Senator Sariemma Mendez St. John's H.S. Senate F 608F Sponsor Senator Sean Ng St. John's H.S. Senate B Representative Sofia Fernandez St. John's H.S. House I Representative Sophia Shames St. John's H.S. House F 608F Sponsor Representative Stephan Riquelme St. John's H.S. House G 708G Sponsor Senator Tatiana Meduña Ferre St. John's H.S. Senate C Representative Veronica Duenas St. John's H.S. House J Representative Isaiah Clark St. Joseph's Preparatory School House A Representative Jake Howard St. Joseph's Preparatory School House B 208B Sponsor Representative Jalen Lawimore St. Joseph's Preparatory School House D 406D Sponsor Representative John Monzo St. Joseph's Preparatory School House A Representative Joseph Gilbert St. Joseph's Preparatory School House B 208B Sponsor Representative Keith Williams St. Joseph's Preparatory School House D 406D Sponsor Representative Kyllian Vong St. Joseph's Preparatory School House B 208B Sponsor Senator Liam Pié St. Joseph's Preparatory School Senate C 24 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Senator Malcolm Ximines St. Joseph's Preparatory School Senate B 208B Sponsor Senator Matthew Hearn St. Joseph's Preparatory School Senate D Senator Paul Cox St. Joseph's Preparatory School Senate B 208B Sponsor Representative Richard Fusco St. Joseph's Preparatory School House B Representative Ryan Bonner St. Joseph's Preparatory School House D 406D Sponsor Senator Ryan Breslin St. Joseph's Preparatory School Senate D 406D Sponsor Senator Steven Bradley St. Joseph's Preparatory School Senate D 406D Chair, Sponsor Representative Amber DeSantis St. Maria Goretti H.S. House C Representative Elizabeth Davis St. Maria Goretti H.S. House C Representative Emma Geesaman St. Maria Goretti H.S. House C Representative Rebecca Mason St. Maria Goretti H.S. House C Representative Alejandra Lozano Sunset H.S. House F Senator Alondra Garcia Sunset H.S. Senate F Representative Alyssa Ramirez Sunset H.S. House A Representative Fabian Garcia Sunset H.S. House A Representative Griselda Garcia Sunset H.S. House E Senator Isael Enriquez Sunset H.S. Senate A Senator Jamie Rangel Sunset H.S. Senate F Representative Lizeth Gonzalez Sunset H.S. House F Senator Lourdes Gonzalez Sunset H.S. Senate E Representative Marcos Rivera Sunset H.S. House E Senator Miguel Lopez Sunset H.S. Senate E Senator Priscilla Sepeda Sunset H.S. Senate F Representative Rebecca Ofarrell Sunset H.S. House F Senator Thalia Ramirez Sunset H.S. Senate A Senator Adrian Robertson Thomas Jefferson H.S. for Science & Senate J 1007J Sponsor Technology Senator Dean Gumas Thomas Jefferson H.S. for Science & Senate J 1007J Sponsor Technology Representative Andrew Geldreich Tri-County HS House J 1005J Sponsor Representative Jack Farmer Tri-County HS House H Representative Josh Geldreich Tri-County HS House H Senator Nicholas Pearson Tri-County HS Senate J 1005J Sponsor Representative Amy Siegel Villa Victoria Academy House E Representative Ashley Daniels Villa Victoria Academy House E Representative Francesca Bottini Villa Victoria Academy House E Senator Julissa Guillen-Davila Villa Victoria Academy Senate E Representative Mallory Brown Villa Victoria Academy House E Senator Margaret deLucia Villa Victoria Academy Senate F Representative Maria Riley Villa Victoria Academy House F Representative Melissa Simmons Villa Victoria Academy House F Senator Raven Smith Villa Victoria Academy Senate F

25 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Senator Rian Moriarty Villa Victoria Academy Senate G Representative Sophia de la Cruz Villa Victoria Academy House F Representative Tara Pandya Villa Victoria Academy House G Senator Tiffany Oliver Villa Victoria Academy Senate G Representative Vanessa Woolfolk Villa Victoria Academy House G Representative Ali Burman Watchung Hills Regional H.S. House C 308C Sponsor Representative Alyse Horan Watchung Hills Regional H.S. House D 407D Sponsor Senator Anthony Hayeck Watchung Hills Regional H.S. Senate C Representative Carter Rosen Watchung Hills Regional H.S. House H Senator Charlie DiSturco Watchung Hills Regional H.S. Senate H Senator Colette Crocco Watchung Hills Regional H.S. Senate C 308C Sponsor Senator David Walker Watchung Hills Regional H.S. Senate H Representative Dhruv Shankar Watchung Hills Regional H.S. House H Representative Garrett Jochnau Watchung Hills Regional H.S. House H Representative Gemma Gallucci Watchung Hills Regional H.S. House I Representative Greta Baxter Watchung Hills Regional H.S. House I Senator Henry Zhu Watchung Hills Regional H.S. Senate I 907I Sponsor Representative Jeffrey Stickler Watchung Hills Regional H.S. House C Representative Jordan Green Watchung Hills Regional H.S. House D 407D Sponsor Senator Julia Stomber Watchung Hills Regional H.S. Senate I Senator Kevin Bhattacharyya Watchung Hills Regional H.S. Senate D 407D Sponsor Representative Kevin Guo Watchung Hills Regional H.S. House H Whip Representative Maggie Mcgovern Watchung Hills Regional H.S. House I Representative Matthew Hunt Watchung Hills Regional H.S. House I 907I Sponsor Representative Megan Petersen Watchung Hills Regional H.S. House C 308C Sponsor Representative Meghan Swanton Watchung Hills Regional H.S. House J Representative Mike Durkin Watchung Hills Regional H.S. House C Senator Nicole Freire Watchung Hills Regional H.S. Senate I Senator Parima Kadikar Watchung Hills Regional H.S. Senate D 407D Sponsor Representative Rachel Pester Watchung Hills Regional H.S. House J Senator Ryan O'Byrne Watchung Hills Regional H.S. Senate C Senator Sahil Deo Watchung Hills Regional H.S. Senate J Representative Shivam Patel Watchung Hills Regional H.S. House D 407D Sponsor Senator Stephanie Gombas Watchung Hills Regional H.S. Senate C 308C Sponsor Representative Timothy Cardona Watchung Hills Regional H.S. House I 907I Sponsor Representative Verdon Gupta Watchung Hills Regional H.S. House J Senator Alexandria King West Orange H.S. Senate A Representative Amanda Tarantino West Orange H.S. House A Representative Ana Olivera West Orange H.S. House A Representative Angely Melendez West Orange H.S. House A Representative Clare Kelly West Orange H.S. House B Senator Jendaya McNeill West Orange H.S. Senate A 26 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Senator Maxwell Horowitz West Orange H.S. Senate A Representative Rachel Santos West Orange H.S. House B Representative Sara Laine West Orange H.S. House B Senator Shakira Francillon West Orange H.S. Senate B Senator William Spaulding West Orange H.S. Senate B Representative Yelet Sisay West Orange H.S. House C Representative Zhara Baksh West Orange H.S. House C Senator Aaira Bagga West Windsor-Plainsboro North H.S. Senate D Senator Aarushi Parashar West Windsor-Plainsboro North H.S. Senate D Representative Anjali Mundayat West Windsor-Plainsboro North H.S. House C Representative Bennett Perrine West Windsor-Plainsboro North H.S. House D Representative Caroline Hoge West Windsor-Plainsboro North H.S. House D Senator Claudia Bianchine West Windsor-Plainsboro North H.S. Senate D Senator Danny Kuriakose West Windsor-Plainsboro North H.S. Senate E Senator David Pe West Windsor-Plainsboro North H.S. Senate E Representative Deval Shah West Windsor-Plainsboro North H.S. House D Representative Devesh Malik West Windsor-Plainsboro North H.S. House E Senator Georgia Castoro West Windsor-Plainsboro North H.S. Senate F Representative Gitika Maheshwari West Windsor-Plainsboro North H.S. House E Representative Karthik Chandra West Windsor-Plainsboro North H.S. House E Senator Manan Vajariya West Windsor-Plainsboro North H.S. Senate F Representative Natasha Dandekar West Windsor-Plainsboro North H.S. House F Representative Parizeh Malik West Windsor-Plainsboro North H.S. House F Representative Prat Palanichamy West Windsor-Plainsboro North H.S. House F Senator Rohit Krishnakumar West Windsor-Plainsboro North H.S. Senate G Representative Rooble Bagga West Windsor-Plainsboro North H.S. House E Chair Senator Sanchaya Satish West Windsor-Plainsboro North H.S. Senate G Senator Shalu Bhardwaj West Windsor-Plainsboro North H.S. Senate H Senator Simran Korpal West Windsor-Plainsboro North H.S. Senate H Representative Sri Lahari Kunchapu West Windsor-Plainsboro North H.S. House G Representative Thanmayee Maddipati West Windsor-Plainsboro North H.S. House G Representative Trisha Sindhu West Windsor-Plainsboro North H.S. House G Senator Vansh Bansal West Windsor-Plainsboro North H.S. Senate I Senator Wilson Cai West Windsor-Plainsboro North H.S. Senate I Senator Ajun Wit West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. Senate A Senator Alex Krauel West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. Senate A Representative Aman Sharma West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. House H Representative Amber Saravia West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. House H Representative Amrutha Cherukuri West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. House H Representative Ananya Kashyap West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. House D 408D Sponsor Senator Anushka Sagar West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. Senate A Representative Ashritha Bheemidi. West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. House D 408D Sponsor 27 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Representative Calvin Jou West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. House I Senator David Koggan West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. Senate A 108A Sponsor Representative Eric Wisk West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. House A 108A Sponsor Representative Erin Sheets West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. House I Representative Evan Fiderer West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. House J Senator Greg Petrov West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. Senate B Representative Joseph Dashevsky West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. House J Representative Kevin Hudson West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. House J Senator Kunal Kak West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. Senate B Representative Lisa Maina West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. House A Representative Madhav Ramesh West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. House A 108A Sponsor Senator Mahish Kewalramani West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. Senate C Representative Matthew Platoff West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. House A Representative Michelle Wong West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. House A Senator Neal Singal West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. Senate C Senator Nikhil Gunderia West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. Senate D Senator Niranjana Ganesh West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. Senate D 408D Sponsor Senator Pavan Marempudi West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. Senate J 1008J Sponsor Representative Pranjal Singh West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. House B Senator Rahul Setya West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. Senate D Representative Rodrigo Ramirez West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. House J 1008J Sponsor Representative Rohith Badri West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. House A 108A Sponsor Senator Sammy Liao West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. Senate A 108A Sponsor Representative Shivam Kanbur West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. House B Senator Vyshnavi Khota West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. Senate D 408D Sponsor Senator Wesley Wang West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. Senate E Senator Will Chang West Windsor-Plainsboro South H.S. Senate E Representative Abigail Seidle Wilberforce School House C Representative Analeisa D'Alessio Wilberforce School House I 908I Sponsor Representative Brandon Petit-Homme Wilberforce School House C Representative Burke Doud Wilberforce School House C Senator Caleb Seidle Wilberforce School Senate F Senator Charlie Doran Wilberforce School Senate I 908I Senator Representative Daly Hurst Wilberforce School House D Representative Emeline Summer Wilberforce School House I 908I Sponsor Representative Emily Willett Wilberforce School House D Senator Howe Whitman Wilberforce School Senate G Representative Josh Harrigan Wilberforce School House E Representative Katie Dang Wilberforce School House I 908I Sponsor Representative PoeAn Lu Wilberforce School House E Senator Titus Reyes Wilberforce School Senate I 908I Senator

28 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX

SENATE & HOUSE A

101A: A BILL TO ELIMINATE NEONICOTINOIDS AND SAVE THE BEES Sponsored by: Senator Ionatana Tuitasi, Faasao Marist H.S. Representative Rakiiba Vaalele, Samoana H.S.

102A: A BILL TO AMEND THE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT (ESEA) TO INTRODUCE POLITICAL SCIENCE PROGRAMS INTO PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS Sponsored by: Senator Maria Mendoza, Bergen County Academies Senator Beatrice Lee, Bergen County Academies Representative Jacqueline Sun, Bergen County Academies Representative Hyobin Im, Bergen County Academies

103A: A BILL TO EXTEND FOIA TO ALL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT Sponsored by: Senator Miriam Minsk, Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Senator Matthew Ost, Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Representative Caleb Gershengorn, Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Representative Arielle Weinstein, Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School

104A: A BILL TO BAN SMOKING IN ALL VEHICLES WITH CHILDREN PRESENT Sponsored by: Senator Sydney Barrena, Freehold Township H.S. Senator Amanda Milo, Freehold Township H.S. Representative Sarah Barrena, Freehold Township H.S. Representative Pamela Olitsky, Freehold Township H.S. Representative Mike Poosikian, Freehold Township H.S.

105A: A BILL TO END DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME Sponsored by: Senator Albee Ge, Gaston H.S. Representative Robert Geraghty, Gaston H.S.

106A: A BILL TO EXPAND AND RECOGNIZE THE RIGHTS OF TRANSGENDER AND NON-BINARY INDIVIDUALS Sponsored by: Senator Michael Meyer, Princeton H.S. Senator Madeleine Norman, Princeton H.S. Representative Nora Aguiar, Princeton H.S. Representative Maddy Troilo, Princeton H.S.

107A: A BILL TO IMPLEMENT RECYCLING PROGRAMS IN FEDERALLY FUNDED ORGANIZATIONS Sponsored by: Senator Nikita Rednam, South Brunswick H.S. Representative Hasin Tasneem, South Brunswick H.S. Representative Gowri Cheepurapalli, South Brunswick H.S.

108A: A BILL TO REFORM CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING AND ELECTIONS Sponsored by: Senator Sammy Liao, West Windsor-Plainsboro H.S. South Senator David Koggan, West Windsor-Plainsboro H.S. South Representative Eric Wisk, West Windsor-Plainsboro H.S. South Representative Madhav Ramesh, West Windsor-Plainsboro H.S. South Representative Rohith Badri, West Windsor-Plainsboro H.S. South

29 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX 101A: A BILL TO ELIMINATE NEONICOTINOIDS AND SAVE THE BEES

Sponsored by: Senator Ionatana Tuitasi, Faasao Marist High School Representative Rakiiba Vaalele, Samoana High School

Whereas: Neonicotinoids are a toxic pesticide causing an alarming decline in bee populations since 2006, and Whereas: Pesticide companies like Dow, Bayer and Syngenta have asked to use dosages that would increase bee mortality by 400 times, and Whereas: These companies are making billions selling pesticides that scientists have deemed to be harmful to the environment. Whereas: Bees are diligent and unassuming creatures that pollinate crops, and are important for food production. The urgent need to protect our bees stems from a need to protect the farms and food production that depend upon them.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: The U.S. Environment Protection Agency will take every step possible to discourage the use of neonicotinoids.

Section 2: The Federal government, state governments, and private companies should make responsible use of our natural resources.

102A: A BILL TO AMEND THE TO THE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT (ESEA) TO INTRODUCE POLITICAL SCIENCE PROGRAMS INTO PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS

Sponsored by: Senator Maria Mendoza, Bergen County Academies Senator Beatrice Lee, Bergen County Academies Representative Jacqueline Sun, Bergen County Academies Representative Hyobin Im, Bergen County Academies

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), currently implemented as the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), provides equal education opportunities and funding for students across the United States. Signed by Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, the ESEA was created in an effort to close the increasing education gap between US students and their international counterparts. Though the current act requires states to reach a certain standardized score for different schools, it also provides a chance to incorporate a necessary curriculum throughout the U.S. This curriculum will benefit minors in their education on the fundamental workings of U.S. politics, government, and policy. The NCLB Act itself is optional for states to participate in, with those who opt out of it forgoing the accompanying federal funding. Recent studies have shown that the majority of American citizens are undereducated and unaware of the current events and political actions regarding the U.S. Some were even unable to complete and pass the naturalization test, which immigrants must pass in order to become U.S citizens. Additionally, the increase in social media communication allows current generations the opportunity of increased exposure to governmental affairs. However, few young people show interest in or concern for current events and politics, primarily due to their lack of exposure to these topics. This bill will mandate the incorporation of a political science course into the nationwide high school curriculum in order to ensure the education of future generations on national and international affairs and the U.S. system of government.

Whereas: The ESEA does not address and lacks any standard political science curriculum to teach current high school students about the function and role of the U.S government. Whereas: Despite the increase in resources of digital communication all over the world, young people are becoming increasingly disinterested in current events and politics. For example, the voting rates for America’s 18-24 year olds declined from 59% in 1964 to 38% in 2012. Whereas: Of the non-voters during the 2014 midterm elections, 20% of them did not like the candidates, did not care about politics, or did not know enough about the politics to make an educated vote.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

30 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Section 1: A political science program will be incorporated into the educational curriculum for any state that participates in the NCLB program in the United States.

Subsection 1: Students will be educated on the effects of economics on the American political system and understand the role that the U.S government plays in their lives.

Subsection 2: Curriculum base will include: the structure of the US government, historical view of US policy, modern US domestic and foreign policy.

Section 2: Students are mandated to take the political science program for one year of their high school career.

Subsection 1: All students enrolled in this program must pass this curriculum in order to graduate.

Subsection 2: The curriculum will be repeated until the student passes.

103A: A BILL TO EXTEND FOIA TO ALL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT

Sponsored by: Senator Miriam Minsk, Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Senator Matthew Ost, Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Representative Caleb Gershengorn, Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Representative Arielle Weinstein, Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) must apply to all branches of government: the Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary. As this law stands now, only federal agencies underneath the Executive branch can be subject to these requests. This system is both unfair and inefficient as under the current system only one branch of government is forced to be held accountable for their actions and made transparent to the American people. This bill would create transparency through all branches of government, thus bettering our democratic society.

Whereas: FOIA only applies to the executive branch and its agencies; and Whereas: American citizens should be completely aware of all government activity; and Whereas: Extending FOIA will create increased government transparency thus benefitting the American people.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: The Legislative and Judicial branches of government will be subject to FOIA.

Section 2: None of the provisions, exemptions, or regulations will change in the original FOIA.

Subsection 1: The only provision that will not apply is the Exemption for Deliberative information (5)(3)

Subsection 2: Documents about internal deliberations will be subject to FOIA after 30 years.

Section 3: This bill will go into effect exactly 1 year after passage.

104A: A BILL TO BAN SMOKING IN ALL VEHICLES WITH CHILDREN PRESENT

Sponsored by: Senator Sydney Barrena. Freehold Township High School Senator Amanda Milo, Freehold Township High School Representative Sarah Barrena, Freehold Township High School Representative Pamela Olitsky, Freehold Township High School Representative Mike Poosikian, Freehold Township High School

The dangers of smoking to the functions of the body are widely known and are pounded into the minds of communities all around the world. Those who smoke have increased risks of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and many more diseases. Smoking causes about 480,000 deaths a year and is the leading cause in preventable deaths in the United 31 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX States. Secondhand smoke is also known to cause cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, and other respiratory diseases. Secondhand smoke greatly affects children and their present and future health conditions. Studies show that children whose parents smoke get sick more often. Their lungs grow less than children who do not breathe secondhand smoke, and they are more likely to get bronchitis and pneumonia. Wheezing and coughing are more common in children who breathe secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke can trigger asthma in a child. Children with asthma who are around secondhand smoke have more severe and frequent asthma attacks. They also tend to have fluid in their ears, and need operations to put in ear tubes for drainage. These are some of the many problems children face when around smoking, so smoking in closed vehicles where children cannot escape the smoke unless the driver does opens the window--and many choose not to especially in cold or rainy weather--can affect the wellbeing of children due to their developing organs and body systems.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: Smoking cigarettes be illegal in any vehicle when children under the age of 18 are present.

Section 2: When charged with the first offense of the crime, a fee of 100 dollars will be issued.

Section 3: When charged with the second offense of the crime, a fee of 150 dollars and 15 hours community service will be required.

Section 4: When charged with the third offense of the crime, a fee of 300 dollars and 30 hours community service will be required.

105A: A BILL TO END DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME

Sponsored by: Senator Albee Ge, Gaston H.S. Representative Robert Geraghty, Gaston H.S.

Although Daylight Saving Time was originally enacted in the United States in order to diminish widespread use of electrical lighting, studies suggest that DST increases energy usage in America by 1-4%, costing the American economy approximately $434 million, according to a new index. In addition to negatively impacting overall financial security, it also takes a disastrous toll on individual health, increasing heart attack risk by approximately ten percent. In order to promote physical, social, and economic health, Congress must repeal the Daylight Saving Time Energy Act.

Whereas: The United States will save innumerable funds and increase the stability of the economy, and Whereas: The death rate will decrease with the improved cardiovascular health of United States citizens,

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: $100,000 dollars will be budgeted to allow for information broadcasts to inform the public of the change from DST.

Subsection 1: This 100,000 dollars will be made available through a project grant for which states can apply.

Subsection 2: The Treasury Department shall ensure that each state uses the money appropriately.

Section 2: Upon passage, this bill will be put into effect immediately after the end of daylight savings time in the year 2015.

Subsection 1: The government shall announce that the time will always be using the standard time.

Subsection 2: “Standard Time” shall not include daylight saving time.

106A: A BILL TO EXPAND AND RECOGNIZE THE RIGHTS OF TRANSGENDER AND NON-BINARY INDIVIDUALS

32 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX

Sponsored by: Senator Michael Meyer, Princeton High School Senator Madi Norman, Princeton High School Representative Nora Aguiar, Princeton High School Representative Maddy Troilo, Princeton High School

America has made tremendous progress in the past decade in advancing the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other non-binary individuals. Although there is cause for optimism, transgender and non-binary individuals continue to face enormous discrimination in healthcare, the military, and legal recognition of gender, among other difficulties and injustices.

Whereas: 19% of transgender people report lacking all forms of health insurance.

Whereas: The suicide rate of transgender people drops by 13% to 23% after they receive gender-confirming healthcare.

Whereas: Even after removal of the ban on military service for non-binary individuals, all five individual branches use gender-confirming healthcare.

Whereas: Transgender people are currently being denied coverage of routine medical procedures because the gender listed on their legal documents does not match that listed on their healthcare forms.

Whereas: Even after removal of the ban on military service for non-binary individuals, all five individual branches of the military currently prohibit service by transgender persons.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: The following terms are hereby defined for clarification:

Subsection 1: “Transgender” is a term to describe the gender identity of someone who does not identify with the gender assigned to them at their time of birth.

Subsection 2: “Non-binary” refers to the gender identity of being neither “male” nor “female” but rather identifying at a different place along the gender spectrum. This includes gender-fluid, agender, pangender, omnigender, genderqueer, and polygender individuals.

Section 2: Transgender and non-binary individuals must be recognized as such on legal documents.

Subsection 1: On all federally-issued documents of identification which require the selection of a gender, the following options will be provided: Male, Female, Agender, Pangender, Bigender, Omnigender, Polygender, Other (Please specify).

Subsection 2: Should a person wish to change the gender listed on their birth certificate, social security card, or any other federally-issued document of identification, that change must be processed with no more difficulty than would accompany a legal change in name for that same documentation.

Section 3: Transgender and non-binary individuals must have equal access to quality healthcare.

Subsection 1: In accordance with section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, health insurance may not be denied nor altered on the basis of gender or sex.

Subsection 2: Insurance companies must offer at least one plan which includes coverage of gender confirming procedures, therapy, and medicine.

107A: A BILL TO IMPLEMENT RECYCLING PROGRAMS IN FEDERALLY FUNDED ORGANIZATIONS

33 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Sponsored by: Senator Nikita Rednam, South Brunswick High School Representative Hasin Tasneem, South Brunswick High School Representative Gowri Cheepurapalli, South Brunswick High School

The United States government spends 1.3 billion dollars annually on printing paper, 440 million of which is deemed wasteful. According to the 2009 Government Printing Report, 92% of employees admitted to printing more than they needed, totaling to 7,200 unnecessary printed pages. In 2009, Americans threw away 161 million tons of material, totaling to 3 pounds of waste per person each day. Since then, we have made leaps toward being environmentally friendly, diverting about 34% of waste. However, we still average the highest amount of garbage per person in the world. To reduce this standing, many schools nationwide have implemented recycling programs which reuse paper and cardboard products and redeemed cans, bottles, and plastic products. However, government buildings continually generate the most amount of unneeded waste in comparison to other institutions, which is an issue that must be addressed.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: All organizations that receive federal funding must implement a recycling program for beverage containers and paper and cardboard products run by the building administration by 2018.

Subsection 1: Government organizations including the CIA, IRS, etc. must all participate in the program to continue receiving their annual funding.

Subsection 2: The term “beverages” covers: beer, malt, wine & distilled spirits coolers, all non-alcoholic beverages, excluding milk. It excludes vegetable juices over 16 ounces. The term “containers” referenced covers: aluminum, glass, plastic and bi-metal, exempting refillables.

Section 2: All federally funded organizations should establish a beverage container recycling program at the public offices.

Subsection 1: This may be provided by but not limited to, any of the following means: a) providing for a local Community Conservation Corps or recycler to collect beverage containers. b) operating a beverage container recycling program by redeeming containers that are collected at offices.

Subsection 2: The proceeds from beverage container recycling may be used at the discretion of the organization’s executive board for all of the following means a) reimbursement for initial cost of acquiring beverage container recycling bins b) for transferring into a discretionary fund c) for other costs, including costs of personnel associated with the maintenance of the beverage container recycling bins

Subsection 3: Upon request, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shall provide the governmental building with information and supplies including but not limited to any of the following: a) literature on how to begin a beverage recycling program b) contact information for direct individuals of the EPA and local recycling centers c) upon availability of funds the EPA may provide the building with beverage container recycling bins d) if necessary, a governmental organization may enter into a partnership or agreement with another public agency or private agency (with approval from the EPA) to ensure all necessary supplies and information for participation is provided.

Section 3: All federally funded organizations should establish a cardboard and packaged-paper recycling program at the public offices.

Subsection 1: This may be provided by arranging for an International Paper service to collect the paper and cardboard products produced by the federal offices.

108A: A BILL TO REFORM CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING AND ELECTIONS

Sponsored by: Senator Sammy Liao from West Windsor-Plainsboro South

34 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Senator David Koggan, West Windsor-Plainsboro South Representative Eric Wisk, West Windsor-Plainsboro South Representative Madhav Ramesh, West Windsor-Plainsboro South Representative Rohith Badri, West Windsor-Plainsboro South

Gerrymandering is an overlooked issue in American politics. People are misrepresented by their legislatures party interests draw misshapen districts that divide and disenfranchise the opposition, ensuring that they do not have a say in government. The congressional voting system should be changed dramatically. Eliminating current districts and changing the system to use a proportional method of members from each party being elected will guarantee equal representation across the state. Voters will first vote for a party, and then vote for which party member to elect in reorganized districts. Reorganizing the system will help eliminate gridlock in congress by changing the representatives more often and having them represent a diverse state rather than a homogenous district. For example, suppose there is a state with twelve house seats. During a statewide vote two thirds of the people voted for party A and one third voted for Party B. Party A then gets eight seats and Party B gets four seats. The two parties then draw two sets of districts with Party A dividing the entire state into eight districts and the Party B dividing the entire state into four districts. Voters of Party A will vote for Party A’s candidates in their districts, while voters of Party B will vote for Party B candidates in their districts. On Election Day the people will vote between the candidates of the party that they voted for in the statewide election. This bill will ensure that the people of each state are properly and proportionally represented.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: The term limits for all congresspersons shall be restricted:

Subsection 1: All Representatives in the United States Congress shall have a four-term limit.

Subsection 2: All Senators in the United States Congress shall have a two-term limit.

Section 2: The process for elections shall be reorganized into a procedure with a full state vote for parties, followed by a district vote for legislators of each party.

Subsection 1: A statewide vote shall take place on the first Tuesday of August, wherein each person will cast a vote for their party of choice.

Subsection 2: The number of representatives from each party in each state will be proportionate to the percentage of the vote that party received.

Subsection 3: On Election Day, voters shall decide between the two candidates of the party they voted for in the statewide vote in the district they have residence in.

Section 3: Each party will draw districts according to the number of legislators their party receives, with two candidates running for each position.

Subsection 1: Together, the districts must encompass the entirety of the state.

Subsection 2: The districts of each party shall exist alongside each other, and in aggregation, thus covering the entire state.

35 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX

SENATE & HOUSE B

201B: A BILL TO METHODICALLY DECREASE US FINANCIAL AID TO ISRAEL Sponsored by: Senator Sandy Pecht, Bergen County Academies Senator Ambrosia Ferro, Bergen County Academies Representative Ryan Seffinger, Bergen County Academies

202B: A BILL TO BRING POWER OF FINANCING AN ELECTION BACK TO THE PEOPLE BY LIMITING THE POWER OF THE PAC Sponsored by: Senator Matteo Guzman, Biotechnology H.S. Senator Johnny Lucas, Biotechnology H.S. Representative Jacob Barabas, Biotechnology H.S.. Representative Siddharth Iyer, Biotechnology H.S. Representative Aneesha Doshi, Biotechnology H.S.

203B: A BILL TO BAN PHOTOSHOP ON ALL COMMERCIAL AND ADVERTISEMENT MODELS Sponsored by: Senator Grace Pluta, Oakcrest School Representative Sarah Santorum, Oakcrest School

204B: A BILL TO CEASE THE MINTING OF PENNIES AND NICKELS AND TO DISCONTINUE THEIR USE AS CURRENCY Sponsored by: Senator Zack Schapire, Princeton H.S. Senator Theo Trevisan, Princeton H.S. Representative Sydney Reynolds, Princeton H.S. Representative Beth Blizzard, Princeton H.S.

205B: A BILL TO NATIONALLY INTRODUCE THE RECERTIFICATION OF DRIVER'S LICENSES Sponsored by: Senator Rohan Suresh, Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. Senator Justin Greenman, Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. Representative Emily Boyle, Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. Representative Maxwell Ross, Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S.

206B: A BILL TO PREVENT RESTRICTIONS TO THE BITCOIN NETWORK OF PEER TO PEER TRADING Sponsored by: Senator Darren Mascioli, Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. Representative Dylan Redfield, Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. Representative Pasquale Maioriello, Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S.

207B: A BILL TO ENFORCE THE MANDATORY EDUCATION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL HEALTH CLASSES Sponsored by: Senator Gilliam Mosher, Secaucus H.S. Representative Marina Rezk, Secaucus H.S. Representative Heidi Koukourdelis, Secaucus H.S.

208B: A BILL TO PROMOTE FURTHER RESEARCH IN INEXHAUSTIBLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES TO MEET THE GROWING DEMANDS OF ELECTRICITY IN THE UNITED STATES Sponsored by: Senator Paul Cox, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School Senator Malcolm Ximines, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School Representative Kyllian Vong, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School Representative Jake Howard, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School Representative Joseph Gilbert, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School

36 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX

201B: A BILL TO METHODICALLY DECREASE US FINANCIAL AID TO ISRAEL

Sponsored by: Senator Sandy Pecht, Bergen County Academies Senator Ambrosia Ferro, Bergen County Academies Representative Ryan Seffinger, Bergen County Academies

Israel has long been a close ally of the United States. However, one of its policies, that of maintaining and expanding settlements in the West Bank, the Golan Heights, and East Jerusalem, is not a policy which the U.S. government wishes to support. In order to bring Israel to a more reasonable position from which it is willing to discuss ceasing the expansion of and negotiating the closing of these settlements, the following legislation is proposed.

Whereas: In the 2014 fiscal year, the United States provided 3.6 billion dollars in military aid to Israel through the FMF (Foreign Military Financing) program. Whereas: Oxfam International has found in a comprehensive study that water and land-related environmental “restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities on Palestinians living in the Jordan Valley are limiting opportunities for economic growth and pushing the Palestinians living there into greater poverty.” Whereas: The practice of transferring civilians into occupied territory directly violates Section III, Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Whereas: The White House has said they are “deeply concerned by reports the Israeli government has moved forward” with the expansion of settlements into the “sensitive area” of East Jerusalem, arguing it would complicate the relationship between Israel and allies and also “poison the atmosphere” of peace talks.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: For every dollar Israel spends in a US fiscal year towards the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, the Golan Heights, and East Jerusalem, or spent towards the creation of new units in existing settlements mentioned prior, the United States will deduct one dollar from its Foreign Military Financing (FMF) package to Israel for the following fiscal year.

Subsection 1: The amount of financing reduced will be set so as reduce aid by one dollar for every equivalent amount of currency in the Israeli New Shekel, using the conversion rate of the Shekel to the Dollar at the beginning of every new fiscal year.

Section 2: This bill will be void when the Palestinians and Israelis agree upon the borders for the state of Palestine.

202B: A BILL TO BRING POWER OF FINANCING AN ELECTION BACK TO THE PEOPLE BY LIMITING THE POWER OF THE PAC

Sponsored by: Senator Matteo Guzman, Biotechnology High School Senator Johnny Lucas, Biotechnology High School Representative Jacob Barabas, Biotechnology High School Representative Siddharth Iyer, Biotechnology High School Representative Aneesha Doshi, Biotechnology High School

Politicians’ campaigns are fuelled by donations from the people. Currently, though, many organizations and corporations donate exceedingly large sums of money to politicians they support, with no limit. This can (and often does) overshadow the donations from the individual citizen. This gives lobbyists most of the power in influencing the outcome of the election. Corporations commonly donate funds through the use of Super PACs (Political Action Committees). These are intended to collect money from individuals to consolidate donations for their political party of choice in order to influence the election for the benefit of their chosen candidate(s). As previously mentioned, there is no limit to what can be donated to a Super PAC, and our bill is intended to change this for the sake of campaign fairness and giving more power to the average person who may donate to a campaign.

Whereas: Corporations and unions have no limit to the amount of money donated to a political cause, while the limit for an individual is $32,400.

37 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Whereas: Super PACs have no limit to the amount of money they can collect for a political cause, be it conservative or liberal.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: It will be a crime for corporations and unions to have a PAC associated directly with them.

Subsection 1: This law will be enacted at the beginning of 2018.

Subsection 2: The punishment for not following this law will be to have the money in the unlawful PAC seized by the Federal government.

Section 2: An individual corporation or union must follow the same limits in sponsoring a campaign or party that an individual person does.

Section 3: PACs will no longer be able to receive more from an individual person, union, or corporation in a year than would be appropriate for a single person to give to a political party in a year.

Subsection 1: If not followed, the PAC shall have a fine of $500,000

Section 4: PACs will be inspected monthly, once the first candidate begins campaigning of any given election to ensure that they are abiding by these laws.

Subsection 1: The inspections will be carried out by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

203B: A BILL TO BAN PHOTOSHOP ON ALL COMMERCIAL AND ADVERTISEMENT MODELS

Sponsored by: Senator Grace Pluta, Oakcrest School Representative Sarah Santorum, Oakcrest School

Studies show that 42% of girls grades 1-3 want to be thinner. Another study reveals 78% of 17-year-old girls are unhappy with their bodies, and yet another shows 30% of high-school girls and 16% of high-school boys have an eating disorder. Lastly, teenage girls have said to be “more afraid of gaining weight than getting cancer, losing their parents, or being in a nuclear war.” We are shaped by what we see. Society has slowly been shaped by an airbrush dictating impossible expectations to young men, and mostly to, young women. A dominating factor attributing to these impossible expectations is the use of Photoshop in the commercial and advertisement industries. By banning the use of Photoshop on models in the commercial and advertising industries, there will be new realistic expectations set for young women and children fostering a healthy and positive society.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: All use of Photoshop be banned from the commercial and advertisement industries in regards to any model.

Section 2: All advertisements and commercial use of Photoshop must also be regulated.

204B: A BILL TO CEASE THE MINTING OF PENNIES AND NICKELS AND TO DISCONTINUE THEIR USE AS CURRENCY

Sponsored by: Senator Zack Schapire, Princeton High School Senator Theo Trevisan, Princeton High School Representative Sydney Reynolds, Princeton High School Representative Beth Blizzard, Princeton High School

38 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Pennies and nickels cost more to produce than they are worth. The simple fact that the government wastes the American taxpayer’s money on minting these coins means that it is time to end the minting of these coins. The benefits of getting rid of these coins have been seen in many other nations such as Canada, Australia, and several European states. In addition, the use of credit and debit cards means that the average consumer would not need to round when they are paying as the exact amount could be charged to the card. Paying cash would result in at most a five-cent loss or a four-cent gain for consumers. Furthermore, these coins are often not used in vending machines and other places where one might use coins. There are no apparent benefit to the use of pennies and nickels, therefore they must stop being minted and they must lose their value as currency.

Whereas: The government loses $105 million every year minting pennies and nickels Whereas: The cost to mint one penny is 1.66 cents Whereas: The cost to mint one nickel is 8.09 cents

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that::

Section 1: The minting of pennies and nickels will cease.

Subsection 1: On January 1st, 2016, the minting of 1-cent and 5-cent coins (commonly referred to as pennies and nickels) by the United States Government shall cease.

Subsection 2: The Treasury Department and the United States Mint will be responsible for the enactment of this section.

Subsection 3: All sections of bills in conflict with this legislation are considered null and void.

Section 2: Pennies and nickels shall be removed from circulation as a currency.

Subsection 1: On January 1st, 2026, the penny and nickel will be removed from circulation and no longer considered legal tender.

Subsection 2: The Treasury Department and the United States Mint will be responsible for the enactment and enforcement of this section.

Subsection 3: All sections of bills in conflict with this legislation are considered null and void.

Section 3: The following guidelines will be followed regarding rounding for the Physical Sale of Goods and Services.

Subsection 1: For purchases that are made with credit cards, the price will not be rounded, and the credit card consumer will pay the price as written (plus tax).

Subsection 2: For purchases that are made with physical money, the price will be rounded after tax is applied, with prices ending in 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 being rounded up to the nearest 0 and all other price endings being rounded down to the nearest 0.

205B: A BILL TO NATIONALLY INTRODUCE THE RECERTIFICATION OF DRIVER'S LICENSES

Sponsored by: Senator Rohan Suresh, Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. Senator Justin Greenman, Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. Representative Emily Boyle, Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. Representative Maxwell Ross, Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S.

Presently in the United States of America, driver’s licenses may be renewed by motorists; yet, recertification is not mandated. With some states allowing basic driver’s licenses for people as young as age sixteen, one state allowing permits to be received at 14, and many states allowing licenses at 16 and six-eight months, it can be a long stretch of time between the steps to getting a license and the current ages of many motorists currently on the road. Since recertification is not required once an individual gets his/her license, the chance of accidents increases due to loss of memory for road regulations. In

39 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX 2010, it was recorded that 7,024 unintentional deaths in young adults aged 15-24 resulted from motorist error, being the leading cause of unintentional fatalities for that age bracket. In addition, for seniors aged 65 and over, unintentional motor vehicle deaths amounted to 6,037, being the second leading root of involuntary deaths. By enforcing such new recertification, the annual number of motor vehicle-related deaths has the potential for decreasing. Mandating recertification is a large step on the way to eliminating unintentional fatalities.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: All fifty states must implement the recertification law for drivers, three times in their lives.

Subsection 1: Every state must charge 24 dollars for a re-certification of a person’s license, over a 20-year period.

Subsection 2: Each licensed driver must get their recertification three times. The recertification should be 10 years, 30 years, and 50 years after one initially obtains their basic driver’s license.

Section 2: Monetary support for the recertification will derive from state transportation funds.

Subsection 1: Fifty percent of the revenue that is collected will contribute towards financial aid for this new law; 25 percent will go to the Department of Transportation, and the other 25 percent will go to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Section 3: The enforcement of this law will be conducted by the Office of Inspector General.

Subsection 1: All persons found to have a fraudulent or expired driver’s license will be given a fine and extra punishments depending on the laws that their state will enforce.

Subsection 2: Minimum penalties will include a 150-dollar fine as well as a confiscated license with suspension being an additional penalty for driving given at the discretion of the presiding officer or judge.

Subsection 3: All persons charged with these allegations will be given one fair trial at any one of the Regional Investigations Offices, which belong to the Department of Transportation, of the person’s choosing.

206B: A BILL TO PREVENT RESTRICTIONS TO THE BITCOIN NETWORK OF PEER-TO-PEER TRADING

Sponsored by: Senator Darren Mascioli, Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. Representative Dylan Redfield, Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S. Representative Pasquale Maioriello, Scotch Plains-Fanwood H.S.

Bitcoin is a modern digital currency. Bitcoin utilizes a peer-to-peer trading network. This means that Bitcoin is decentralized, or not controlled by any one nation’s government. Bitcoin allows users to quickly and easily transfer money across the world, as well as to keep the banks of the world in check. Since there are no laws about Bitcoin, some exchanges aren’t willing to accept payment from credit cards or banks dealing with the crypto-currency because of fear of future regulation. This bill will allow easy, anonymous access to money transfers and trading on a global scale.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: Restrictions placed on Bitcoin by the United States of America shall adhere to the following:

Subsection 1: No law shall interfere with the peer-to-peer trading of the crypto-currency.

Section 2: All transactions must adhere to the laws and regulations of the United States of America.

Subsection 1: If deemed unlawful, the accused has the right to a trial by a jury of his/her peers.

40 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX

Section 3: Bitcoin shall be kept as a decentralized currency and not controlled by the government of the United States of America.

Section 4: These regulations shall apply to all crypto currencies including but not limited to Litecoin, Namecoin, and Dogecoin.

207B: A BILL TO ENFORCE THE MANDATORY EDUCATION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL HEALTH CLASSES

Sponsored by: Senator Gillian Mosher, Secaucus H.S. Representative Marina Rezk, Secaucus H.S. Representative Heidi Koukourdelis, Secaucus H.S.

Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior used to establish power and control over another person through fear and intimidation, often including the threat or use of violence. Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender, and affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels. This abuse comes in three forms: physical abuse, mental abuse, and financial abuse. According to The United States Department of Justice, children who grow up witnessing domestic violence are among those seriously affected by this crime. Frequent exposure to violence in the home not only predisposes children to numerous social and physical problems, but also teaches them that violence is a normal way of life - therefore, increasing their risk of becoming society's next generation of victims and abusers. Although domestic violence had been recognized as a human rights concern in 1993 by The World Conference on Human Rights, there still exists a great amount of people who have little to no knowledge regarding this growing problem. Schools must educate their youth on the controversial concern of domestic violence and the laws that are essential to protect people against these actions.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: All health classes in middle and high school must educate its students with information regarding the meaning of domestic violence, all forms of domestic violence, its warning signs and consequences, and the current laws that protect women against these acts of abuse.

Section 2: Male and female abuse hot lines, addresses and contact information must be provided and advertised in health classes as well as in school offices.

Subsection 1: The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) must be included in this provision.

Section 3: Any forms of domestic violence against a man or woman brought to or inspected by school officials and staff members must be reported immediately to the corresponding authorities in charge of domestic violence.

Subsection 1: Authorities in charge of domestic violence include guidance counselors specifically trained for family issues including domestic violence.

208B: A BILL TO PROMOTE FURTHER RESEARCH IN INEXHAUSTIBLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES TO MEET THE GROWING DEMANDS OF ELECTRICITY IN THE UNITED STATES

Sponsored by: Senator Paul Cox, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School Senator Malcolm Ximines, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School Representative Kyllian Vong, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School Representative Jake Howard, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School Representative Joseph Gilbert, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School

41 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX The United States currently faces an energy crisis. It is predicted that the world’s oil reserves will be depleted in under 50 years at current consumption rates. The greenhouse gasses produced by the combustion of oil have already been shown to greatly alter climate patterns and have caused large-scale melting of the polar ice caps. Other sources such as solar or wind energy provide energy alternatives that are both inexhaustible, and also emit no greenhouse gasses.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: $30 million in funds be made available to private energy companies for the purpose of developing and improving inexhaustible energy technology.

Section 2: An inexhaustible energy source is one that appears as if its supply will never become used up. For example, solar energy, geothermal energy, hydroelectric energy, and wind energy are considered inexhaustible because one can reasonably predict that their sources of energy will never be depleted.

Subsection 1: Development and Improvement implies research to make energy technology more practical, less expensive, and more efficient

Section 3: The EPA will be in charge of deciding the companies with the greatest potential to improve these technologies.

Subsection 1: The funds will be made available by the US treasury.

Subsection 2: The IRS shall be in charge of ensuring proper tax protocol by these companies with respect to the funds.

Section 4: This bill shall go into effect three months after passage.

Section 5: All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.

42 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX

SENATE & HOUSE C

301C: A BILL TO REINSTATE JUSTICE Sponsored by: Senator Anne Li, Bergen County Academies Representative Kellen McDonald, Bergen County Academies Representative Justin Linetski, Bergen County Academies

302C: A BILL TO CREATE RELIGIOUS EQUALITY IN REPRESENTATION Sponsored by: Senator Francesca Edralin, Colts Neck H.S. Senator Megha Jain, Colts Neck H.S. Representative Deeraiya Islam, Colts Neck H.S. Representative Jacqueline Albury, Secaucus H.S.

303C: A BILL TO LIMIT CARBON EMISSIONS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES Sponsored by: Senator Brian Apple, Greensboro Day H.S. Senator Clara Walton, Greensboro Day H.S. Representative Jake Keeley, Greensboro Day H.S. Representative James Bennett, Greensboro Day H.S. Representative Jack Cote, Greensboro Day H.S.

304C: A BILL TO MANDATE LAPTOP/ELECTRONIC DEVICE ACCESS IN GRADES 6-12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS Sponsored by: Senator Ariel Rakovitsky, Manalapan H.S. Senator Cynthia Rishi, Manalapan H.S. Representative Spencer Goldberg, Manalapan H.S. Representative Yasheel Pandya, Manalapan H.S. Representative Aviva Kern, Manalapan H.S.

305C: A BILL TO BAN BEAUTY PAGEANTS FOR CHILDREN UNDER 16 Sponsored by: Senator Alexa Porter, Parsippany Hills H.S. Senator Karan Chauhan, Parsippany Hills H.S. Representative Daniel Mondschein, Parsippany Hills H.S. Representative Evan Lee, Parsippany Hills H.S. Representative Ravi Parekh, Parsippany Hills H.S.

306C: A BILL TO FULLY LIFT THE ARMS EMBARGO ON THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM Sponsored by: Senator Philip Trevisan, Princeton H.S. Senator Ryan D'souza, Princeton H.S. Representative Samuel Weiss, Princeton H.S. Representative Alexander Martin, Princeton H.S.

307C: A BILL TO REGULATE THE WAGES OF MIGRANT FARM WORKERS Sponsored by: Senator Robert Kimelman, Secaucus H.S. Senator Ian Fox, Secaucus H.S. Representative Elijah Soba, Secaucus H.S. Representative Abutalha Ahmed, Secaucus H.S. Representative Jake Green, Secaucus H.S.

308C: A BILL TO CREATE A LAW REGULATING TAXI SERVICES Sponsored by: Senator Colette Crocco, Watchung Hills Regional H.S. Senator Stephanie Gombas, Watchung Hills Regional H.S. Representative Ali Burman, Watchung Hills Regional H.S. Representative Megan Petersen, Watchung Hills Regional H.S.

43 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX 301C: A BILL TO REINSTATE JUSTICE

Sponsored by: Senator Anne Li, Bergen County Academies Representative Kellen McDonald, Bergen County Academies Representative Justin Linetski, Bergen County Academies

The US has the largest prison population of any country in the world. That looks bad, is very expensive, and is ineffective in reducing either crime or recidivism. Many of the people we put in prison are nonviolent offenders, often convicted for drug offenses. We thus put many resources towards punishment, but very few towards rehabilitation. The criminal justice system also disproportionately incarcerates minorities, namely black and Hispanic young men. Finally, prisons are often run by private companies in a large industry, thus obscuring justice in this country.

Whereas: The United States currently has the highest incarceration rate in the world. Whereas: In 2007, the U.S. spent $74 billion on corrections. Whereas: The current justice system is not just.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America assembled, that:

Section 1: Mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent crimes be adjusted to reflect the crime.

Subsection 1: Amend the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to establish a two year mandatory minimum sentence for federal nonviolent drug offenses.

Subsection 2: Amend Section 1028A to establish a one year mandatory minimum sentence for federal identity theft.

Section 2: Within one year of the passage of this bill, the United States Sentencing Commission will review and amend its policy statements as appropriate to prevent racial disparity.

Section 3: A minimum of 30% of the amount spent on incarceration per fiscal year shall be allotted to treatment and rehabilitation programs.

Subsection 1: Treatment and rehabilitation programs are defined as programs designed to ameliorate mental health conditions, provide treatment for addictions, provide education or job training, and support released prisoners in re-entering society.

Subsection 2: These funds will come from the projected savings from sentence reductions above, as found by the Justice Department.

302C: A BILL TO CREATE RELIGIOUS EQUALITY IN REPRESENTATION

Sponsored by: Senator Francesca Edralin, Colts Neck H.S. Senator Megha Jain, Colts Neck H.S. Representative Deeraiya Islam, Colts Neck H.S. Representative Jacqueline Albury, Secaucus H.S.

The government of the United States of America should represent every citizen’s religious or nonreligious beliefs, regardless of majority. By making God a part of everyday American society, people are forced to represent a country that stands for something they may not believe in. The government of the United States of America has made it seem as if one must believe in one specific God in order be dedicated to their country. We have confused religion and patriotism. History has demonstrated that a separation of Church and state is a necessity. The absence of this divide can result in the corruption of the Church and the implication of its own beliefs on others- especially impressionable children who must recite the pledge of allegiance, which contains religious content, every morning in schools. Furthermore, America was founded on the idea that minorities could come together and be represented, no matter what the majority believes. That is one of the fundamental truths of the Constitution, stated in the first amendment which clearly states that “Congress shall make no law

44 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX respecting an establishment of religion.” We are a diverse country that consists of citizens who stand for various beliefs- our words and actions should reflect this.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: The phrase “under God” shall be eliminated from the pledge of allegiance.

Section 2: The U.S. motto “In God We Trust” shall be changed to a more suitable non-religious affiliated phrase, and removed from currency such as quarters and twenty dollar bills.

Section 3: The phrase “So help me God” shall not be used in oaths regarding national or federal oaths.

Section 4: Those involved in a court trial or other legal affairs shall not be asked to “swear to god” or on the Bible.

303C: A BILL TO LIMIT CARBON EMISSIONS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES

Sponsored by: Senator Brian Apple, Greensboro Day H.S. Senator Clara Walton, Greensboro Day H.S. Representative Jake Keeley, Greensboro Day H.S. Representative James Bennett, Greensboro Day H.S. Representative Jack Cote, Greensboro Day H.S.

The current state of the climate in the United States and around the world is reaching epidemic proportions, and the current projections show nothing but an exponential increase. The issues we would like to address are as follows: the coal industry, the oil industry, and the embarrassing lack of action by the US government. The coal industry is currently taking advantage of a multitude of natural resources. They are currently destroying mountains in West Virginia, dangerously storing extremely toxic chemicals, and continuously burning harmful natural resources. They are completely taking advantage of the United States dependence on natural resources. The oil industry is flaunting its money in the face of all international treaties as they plan to drill for oil in the earth to pass the tipping point six times. The tipping point is the point where natural feedback cycles go into effect and climate change becomes irreversible.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: In order to protect mountaintops, there shall be a regulation on the amount of land coal companies can purchase. For every acre exceeding 10,000 acres, the company will have to pay $100,000

Subsection 1: All finances obtained will go to the Government Solar Production

Section 2: Enact a bill similar to Protocol on Environment Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, also known as the Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, which will protect the animals, ice, and temperature throughout the entire northern ice cap.

Section 3: Establish an emissions cap as a permanent cap that will fine states that surpass it continuously – not a yearly cap like what is in place, but a permanent international cap.

304C: A BILL TO MANDATE LAPTOP/ELECTRONIC DEVICE ACCESS IN GRADES 6-12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Sponsored by: Senator Ariel Rakovitsky, Manalapan High School Senator Cynthia Rishi, Manalapan High School Representative Spencer Goldberg, Manalapan High School Representative Yasheel Pandya, Manalapan High School Representative Aviva Kern, Manalapan High School

45 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX In a generation defined by the continuous development of technology, purchasing devices for all grade 6-12 students will not only make them better students, but prepare them for the workforce and the remainder of their lives. Electronics devices are not only proficient, but also cost effective. According to the U.S. Department of Education, technology based learning can reduce time taken to reach a learning objective by 30-80%. Devices can store hundreds of textbooks and files allowing for quick and accessible information. Ebooks cost an average of 50-60% less than printed textbooks. Because of this, schools would save $250-1000 per student annually. The weight of multiple printed textbooks can be efficiently reduced to the weight of a single laptop or electronic device, therefore decreasing the potential risk of strain or injury on a student. In the 21st century, pre-exposure to electronic devices better prepare students for a world immersed in technology.

Whereas: The lack of electronic devices in public schools is impeding efficient learning.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: Any public school that abodes grades 6-12 will be required to provide access to electronic devices for said grades.

Section 2: Students will be allowed to opt-out of electronic device usage with the consent of a school administrator and parent/legal guardian. Opt-outs will be granted in situations where:

Subsection 1: Opt-outs will be granted in situations where:

i. Student has a condition or disability that makes the use of an electronic device detrimental to the health of the student.

ii. The use of an electronic device is not permissible by a student’s religious or spiritual beliefs.

iii. A parent or legal guardian has reason to believe that the use of an electronic device will not be beneficial to the education of the student.

iv. Any reason deemed acceptable by a school administrator to preserve the well-being of the student and the integrity of the learning environment.

Section 3: Students will be allowed to transport electronic devices to and from school on a probationary basis. A student will have transport privileges revoked if a parent/legal guardian or school administrator determines that transport of the device:

Subsection 1: Poses a threat to other students or faculty.

Subsection 2: Is damaging to the students health or wellbeing.

Subsection 3: Is damaging to the electronic equipment.

Subsection 4: Any reason deemed acceptable by a school administrator to preserve the wellbeing of the student and the learning environment.

Section 4: Students and parents/legal guardians will have the opportunity to purchase private-sector device insurance plans. School districts will also be responsible for providing affordable insurance plans for students as well as financial aid. If a device is broken by a student and no insurance plan is owned, the student will be obligated to pay the full cost of the device.

Subsection 1: The replaced device must be a same or superior model as the device that was broken.

Section 5: All students will have access to an electronic device equipped with clean and bug-free software, a graphical user interface, a physical or digital method of input, and content filters in accordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act of 2000. Devices must also be capable of running word-processing software and have the capability to connect to the Internet.

46 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Section 6: A school district is obligated to purchase new devices every twelve years. However, a device may be reused by different students in the course of the device’s twelve-year lifespan.

305C: A BILL TO BAN BEAUTY PAGEANTS FOR CHILDREN UNDER 16

Sponsored by: Senator Alexa Porter, Parsippany Hills High School Senator Karan Chauhan, Parsippany Hills High School Representative Daniel Mondschein, Parsippany Hills High School Representative Evan Lee, Parsippany Hills High School Representative Ravi Parekh, Parsippany Hills High School

Children are usually viewed as the pinnacle of innocence. Beauty pageants are changing this image, however, by sexualizing children as young as 3 years old. They are instilling in children a flawed sense of what is important before they have begun to mature. The National Institute of Health announced that girls reach mental maturity between the ages of 21 and 22, and boys do so at around 30. The focus on physical appearance teaches children at an early age that their natural beauty is lacking and the only way to rectify this is by drastically altering their physical appearance. Restricting the age at which children can compete in beauty pageants will protect them from harm caused by the false ideology in beauty pageants. In addition to the sexualization of children, many pageants are discriminatory towards those of different sexual orientation and gender identity. The Ms. America pageant, for example, does not allow the LGBT community to participate. Their promotion of the “ideal” woman via discrimination and child sexualization must be stopped. By restricting the age at which young people can participate, and by ending the obvious discrimination, beauty pageants can be an asset to society instead of the horrible influence they are now.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: Beauty pageants are prohibited from allowing persons under the age of 16 to participate.

Section 2: Pageant contests may not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Section 3: This bill will go into effect in ninety days.

Subsection 1: Any state in non-compliance with this bill will receive a 15% reduction in highway funding.

Section 4: Any organizers, parents, or guardians found to be in violation of this bill will be fined up to $10,000 and will be prohibited from organizing or participating in pageants in the future.

306C: A BILL TO FULLY LIFT THE ARMS EMBARGO ON THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

Sponsored by: Senator Philip Trevisani, Princeton High School Senator Ryan D’souza, Princeton High School Representative Samuel Weiss, Princeton High School Representative Alexander Martin, Princeton High School

This bill proposes to fully end the current United States policy banning the sale of all defense articles and services to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Such a policy is not only outdated but counter-productive to the long-term interests of the United States in the South China Sea region. The increasingly belligerent behavior of the People’s Republic of China necessitates this action. The People’s Republic has persisted in using its military forces to aggressively assert its claim to disputed islands and natural resources within this region, rather than accepting multilateral diplomatic processes to determine the rightful sovereigns of such territories. As the constitution of the state of Japan prohibits that nation from creating a standing military force, it is crucial that other nations be enabled to act in order to preserve the balance of power in the South China Sea and maintain their own territorial integrity. Accordingly, it is right and prudent that the United States end its current embargo upon the trade in arms with Vietnam. The current policy of embargo singles that nation out for particular discrimination not shown towards other states which hold equivalent forms of government.

47 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Whereas: The United States has already authorized the sale of arms to countries accused of egregious human rights violations, namely Saudi Arabia. Whereas: The People’s Republic of China has, in recent years, authorized increasingly belligerent actions in the South China Sea, specifically the conflicts over the Paracel and Spratly islands in 2011 and 2012. Whereas: The State of Japan, through the Ninth article of its constitution is prohibited from maintaining land, sea, or air forces. Whereas: The United States is the largest supplier of arms and munitions into Asia, supplying approximately $3.1 billion in 2013. Without access to United States markets Vietnamese imports of arms in 2013 were approximately 1.5 billion United States dollars. Whereas: Every nation has an inherent right to the development and maintenance of military force so that it may maintain its territorial sovereignty against the threat of foreign aggressors. Whereas: The current arms embargo upon the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in an antiquated policy, rooted in a conflict completed more than forty years ago, reflecting neither modern political reality nor current US interests in Southeast Asia. Whereas: On October 4th, 2014, the State Department took steps to partially “ease” the arms embargo; according to the State Department, this would only allow “transfer of maritime security-related defense articles” to Vietnam. Whereas: The United States can rid itself of unwanted and outdated military supplies, such as used P-3 Orion surveillance planes, which are being replaced by more advanced technology.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: The United States of America will hereby no longer restrict the sale of weapons, arms and war materiel to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Section 2: “Weapons, Arms and War Materiel” being defined as any lethal or non-lethal military supplies, such as firearms, tanks, ammunition, or munitions and supplies, as well as defense contracting services, will be available for purchase.

Section 3: The Department of State will enforce the lifting of the embargo, while it will work with the Department of Defense to ensure that the items sold to Vietnam do not violate any treaties respecting certain international precedents of laws of war.

Subsection 1: The United States of America will respect its signatory status in the following treaties regarding the international laws of war. It will thereby forbid the sale of arms to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam if the supplies are found to have violated: • The 1977 Environmental Modification Convention, which prohibits the hostile military use of environmental modification techniques on a case-by-case basis. • The 1980 United Nations Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, which bans certain weapons that are deemed by the United Nations to be “excessively injurious” or whose effects are “indiscriminate.” • The United States will respect the following protocols as part of this convention: o Protocol I on Non-Detectable Fragments. o Protocol II (1996 Amendment) on restrictions of booby-traps and landmines. o Protocol III on restrictions of the use of incendiary materials. o Protocol IV (1995 Amendment) on blinding laser weapons. Section 4: The United States will apply the principle in Section 3 and Subsection 1 to any future treaties or international agreements that comment on the laws of war.

Section 5: The Executive Branch shall be given the power to apply Section 3 and Subsection 1 to international laws of war upon ratification of other treaties.

Section 6: This legislation will be implemented within six months of its passing.

Section 7: All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.

48 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX

307C: A BILL TO REGULATE THE WAGES OF MIGRANT FARM WORKERS

Sponsored by: Senator Robert Kimelman, Secaucus High School Senator Ian Fox, Secaucus High School Representative Elijah Soba, Secaucus High School Representative Abutalha Ahmed, Secaucus High School Representative Jake Green, Secaucus High School

Migrant and seasonal farm workers represent some of the most economically disadvantaged people in the United States; according to National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS) survey results, 30% of farm worker families had total family income levels below the national poverty guidelines. As a result, many of these workers do not have the means to provide for themselves. Additionally, it’s possible for a farm worker to be paid by piece rate (a wage system in which employees receive a standard rate of pay per unit of output. The rate of pay is usually based on the average level of production, with bonus rates given on output units exceeding the average level) to make less than the minimum wage. About one-third of the nation’s farm workers work on small farms and these are not subject to federal law regarding minimum wages. Migrant and seasonal farm workers represent one of the most hazardous workplace conditions throughout the United States. The constant need to work with pesticides and heavy machinery often pushes task workers past their limits. However, annually, the average income of crop workers is between $10,000 to $12,499 for individuals and $15,000 to $17,499 for a family. Any unexpected costs could have serious repercussions given their small income.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: The employers of large and small farms will be mandated to hire workers at minimum wage rate which will be regulated and enforced through quarterly reports and quarterly inspections.

Subsection 1: If the employer fails to comply with these regulations and provide a proof of transaction, a fine of $15,000 will be imposed for every worker that was paid under the required wages.

Section 2: The payment method of “piece rate” shall be abolished.

Subsection 1: Once abolished, all migrant farm workers being paid through the “Piece Rate System” will be mandated to be paid at the minimum wage rate as stated in Section 1.

Subsection 2: Failure to comply will lead to a $2,500 fine.

Subsection 3: If it is found that workers were paid less than the minimum wage rate after this bill has been enacted through the “Piece Rate System”, the $2,500 fine will be added to Subsection 1 of Section 1.

Section 3: Congress shall have the power to enforce this bill by appropriate legislation.

308C: A BILL TO REGULATE TAXI SERVICES

Sponsored by: Senator Colette Crocco, Watchung Hills Regional High School Senator Stephanie Gombas, Watchung Hills Regional High School Representative Ali Burman, Watchung Hills Regional High School Representative Megan Petersen, Watchung Hills Regional High School

Smartphone application based taxi/private-driving services for the general public, such as Uber, have been a growing part of new technology. Unfortunately, these corporations employ lenient hiring standards; often skipping background checks and disregarding driver accident files. This lack of oversight has caused many incidents including assaults and kidnappings. The driver signup options for many ride-sharing corporations allow anyone to sign up and help drive others. This simple signup system is vulnerable to criminals who seek to earn substantial amounts of money using fake licenses. Many of these unscrupulous drivers are known to have assaulted passengers, demonstrating that the hiring

49 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX policies lack strict background checking systems, putting passengers at risk. We propose that the driving services should have extensive background checks.

Be enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: Restrictions on the private driving services will be put in place.

Subsection 1: These restrictions include: 1. Who the driver is, 2. Where the driver is allowed to pick up passenger(s), and 3. Age of passenger(s) and driver

Section 2: Government will provide funding incentives for states that provide restrictions on private driving services.

Subsection 1: Income from passengers will also help generate money for these background checks

50 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX

SENATE & HOUSE D

401D: A BILL TO ELIMINATE LOOPHOLES IN THE SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT Sponsored by: Senator Sarah-Jane Elkassmi, Conestoga H.S. Senator Hanna Hyams, Conestoga H.S. Representative Yuyan Pu, Conestoga H.S.

402D: A BILL TO STOP THE OVERUSE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN FARM ANIMALS Sponsored by: Senator Carla Arevalo, DelCampo International School Senator Gabriela Funes, DelCampo International School Representative Raquel Robles, DelCampo International School Representative Luis Turcios, DelCampo International School Representative Arturo Ardon, DelCampo International School Representative Francisco Baron, DelCampo International School

403D: A BILL TO REMOVE ANDREW JACKSON FROM THE TWENTY-DOLLAR BILL Sponsored by: Senator Laura Whelan, Kent Place School Senator Michaila Kaufman, Kent Place School Representative Alyssa Hwang, Kent Place School Representative Sophi Huttner, Kent Place School Representative Gersandre Gonsalves-Domond, Kent Place School

404D: A BILL TO CREATE SPECIAL HOUSING FOR TERRORISTS Sponsored by: Senator Julian Pecht, Leonia H.S. Senator Christopher Ogzomi, Leonia H.S. Representative Ollie Racciatti, Leonia H.S.

405D: A BILL TO PROVIDE STATES WITH GRANTS FOR POLICE BODY CAMERAS Sponsored by: Senator Caitlin Bourke, Scotch Plains – Fanwood H.S. Representative Mikaela Rose Tajo, Scotch Plains – Fanwood H.S.

406D: A BILL TO INCREASE FEDERAL FUNDING TOWARDS STEM CELL RESEARCH Sponsored by: Senator Steven Bradley, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School Senator Ryan Breslin, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School Representative Jalen Lawimore, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School Representative Ryan Bonner, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School Representative Keith Williams, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School

407D: A BILL TO CREATE THE UNITED STATES HOMELESS HOUSING ORGANIZATION Sponsored by: Senator Kevin Bhattacharyya, Watchung Hills Regional H.S. Senator Parima Kadikar, Watchung Hills Regional H.S. Representative Alyse Horan Hills Regional H.S. Representative Shivam Patel, Watchung Hills Regional H.S. Representative Jordan Green, Watchung Hills Regional H.S.

408D: A BILL TO FURTHER EMPHASIZE AND REFORM FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDUCATION Sponsored by: Senator Vyshnavi Khota, West Windsor-Plainsboro H.S. South Senator Niranjana Ganesh, West Windsor-Plainsboro H.S. South Representative Ashritha Bheemidi, West Windsor-Plainsboro H.S. South Representative Ananya Kashyap, West Windsor-Plainsboro H.S. South

51 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX 401D: A BILL TO ELIMINATE LOOPHOLES IN THE SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT

Sponsored by: Senator Yuyan Pu, Conestoga High School Senator Sarah-Jane Elkassmi, Conestoga High School Representative Hannah Hyams, Conestoga High School

Hydraulic Fracturing, or fracking, is a method of extracting natural gas from shale rock layers embedded deep underground. The procedure involves drilling and injecting fluid into the ground at a high pressure with each fracturing involving approximately 40,000 gallons of chemicals. During this process, methane gas and injection fluid are prone to leach out and contaminate nearby groundwater. Ingesting this contaminated water has negative sensory, respiratory, and neurological side effects. The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 gave the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) authority to regulate the nation’s public drinking water supply and its sources. This authority was limited by Congress’s 2005 Energy Bill when section 1421(d)(1) of the Safe Drinking Water Act was amended in sub-paragraph (B) so that it “excludes the underground injection of natural gas for purposes of storage; and the underground injection of fluids or propping agents (other than diesel fuels) pursuant to hydraulic fracturing operations related to oil, gas, or geothermal production activities” from EPA oversight. This amendment, also called the “Halliburton loophole,” undermines the public health the Safe Drinking Water Act was initiated to protect and ought to be repealed.

Whereas: More than 15.3 million lived within a mile of a fracking site since 2000. Whereas: Eight states have reported surface, ground, and drinking water contamination due to fracking. Whereas: The carcinogen benzene and toxic chemicals toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene are being used as drilling fluids.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: Sub-paragraph (B) of section 1421(d)(1) of the Safe Drinking Water Act is declared null and void.

Section 2: The EPA is permitted to regulate the activities of hydraulic fracturing operations under the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Subsection 1: The EPA is permitted to exercise discretionary authority in enforcing this legislation.

402D: A BILL TO STOP THE OVERUSE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN FARM ANIMALS

Sponsored by: Senator Carla Arevalo, DelCampo International School Senator Gabriela Funes, DelCampo International School Representative Raquel Robles, DelCampo International School Representative Luis Turcios, DelCampo International School Representative Arturo Ardon, DelCampo International School Representative Francisco Baron, DelCampo International School

Antibiotics are the miracle of modern medicine, designed to be given in precise doses, to treat specific illnesses and infections. Many big farms nowadays are adding human lifesaving medications into the daily feed of healthy animals in order to fatten and maximize their growth within a fast time lapse. In the last seventy years, cruel unsustainable factory farms have come to produce more than ninety-nine percent of the animals raised for food in the United States. New farming methods have devastated rural communities by reducing the number of farmers in the nation by eighty-five percent. Given this scale, the choices we make when we produce food have a bigger impact on animal suffering, global warming, and other major environmental concerns. In the present times, factory farms across the country are routinely giving their livestock low doses of antibiotics, even when they aren’t sick. This practice is leading to the creation of antibiotic resistant bacteria that could become a serious human health threat when our antibiotics stop working to treat diseases on people. Eighty percent of the antibiotics sold in the United States are given to animals raised for food, often non-therapeutic, to promote growth and compensate for effects of unsanitary and overcrowded conditions. There are sixty- two investigations showing animal abuse and health violations on Factory Farms. Only twenty percent of antibiotics are actually used to treat infections on humans. This results in 2 million people falling ill annually and 23,000 people dying from drug resistant infections, caused by eating factory farms products. We are now facing bacteria that come into contact with those animals and grow resistant to antibiotics putting us at risk of getting an infection that antibiotics may no longer treat.

52 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: The government will limit the distribution of antibiotics for each farm with the purpose of controlling their use, specifically the use of tetracycline, penicillin, gentamicin, and typhimurium.

Section 2: The USDA will provide training and technical assistance to livestock producers that are transitioning away from non-therapeutic antibiotic use.

Section 3: The USDA will address contract stipulations that require livestock producers to use feed with antibiotics already added and evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and will use alternatives such as vaccinations and the use of probiotics.

403D: A BILL TO ELIMINATE ANDREW JACKSON FROM THE TWENTY-DOLLAR BILL

Sponsored by: Senator Laura Whelan, Kent Place School Senator Michaila Kaufman, Kent Place School Representative Alyssa Hwang, Kent Place School Representative Sophie Huttner, Kent Place School Representative Gersandre Gonsalves-Domond, Kent Place School

Being on a United States of America dollar is a huge honor, one that Andrew Jackson does not deserve. 22% of the United State of America’s currency is made up of twenty-dollar bills. Andrew Jackson is therefore being glorified, due to the prestige of being on a bill and the number of people looking at him. But what has he done to deserve this prestige? His presidency was a failed one. As the seventh president of the United States, Andrew Jackson presided over the genocide of Native Americans, largely through the Indian Removal Act whose outcome was nothing short of ethnic cleansing. By dissolving the Second Bank of the United States, he sent the country into economic despair in the Panic of 1837. He favored his friends in government and used his power to appoint them to high positions they did not deserve. To honor such a man, no matter his title, is a disgrace on America. Instead, Elizabeth Cady Stanton should grace the twenty-dollar bill, due to the low representation of women on American money and her large, positive effect on the United States of America. Elizabeth Cady Stanton made huge strides for the equality of women in the nation, writing The Declaration of Sentiments, promoting the suffrage movement with Susan B. Anthony, and working as an anti-slavery activist.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: From the time this bill is enacted, no longer will Andrew Jackson be featured on the United States of America’s twenty-dollar bill.

Subsection 1: To avoid substantial cost, the bills already in circulation will remain. On average, twenty-dollar bills last in circulation for two years, so all of the bills featuring Jackson will soon disappear by themselves.

Section 2: Andrew Jackson will be replaced on the twenty-dollar bill by Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

404D: A BILL TO CREATE REHABILITATION FOR TERRORISTS

Sponsored by: Senator Julian Pecht, Leonia H.S. Senator Christopher Ogzomi, Leonia H.S. Representative Ollie Racciatti, Leonia H.S.

This bill would set aside special funds for the creation and upkeep of a special penitentiary solely for people with terrorist-related convictions. This bill separates terrorists from ordinary prisoners, thus reducing the likelihood of their turning prisoners into terrorists.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

53 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX

Section 1: A super-max prison will be built on the island of Rodriguez Key, FL, by 2018.

Subsection 1: This prison will be big enough to provide housing for one hundred inmates. Each inmate will have a room to his/herself. Each cell will contain a bed, a shelf, a toilet, and a sink. The prison will have central air conditioning. Each cell will be 10 feet by 20 feet and have a ceiling 10 feet high. Religious paraphernalia are to be provided should a prisoner ask.

Subsection 2: Faculty will be housed on the island with their spouses and children. Children will be sent to the nearby island Key Largo for schooling. One-story houses will be built for faculty with families. As many apartment buildings as necessary will be built for faculty without families. A ratio of five prisoners to one guard will be in effect at all times.

Subsection 3: The prison will include an industrial kitchen, as many therapy rooms as needed, an outdoor recreation area, five bathrooms, and a guard security room in addition to the cells. The prison will be arranged in a square or a rectangle with the recreation area surrounded on all sides by the prison.

Section 2: The only prisoners that will be housed in the Rodriguez Key facility are those convicted of terrorism- related charges.

Subsection 1: Once construction on the facility is complete, convicted terrorists are to be transferred immediately.

Section 3: Prisoners will be kept in solitary confinement.

Subsection 1: Each prisoner is to be given a half-hour of outside time everyday. They will also be given an hour of therapy session with psychiatrists once every day for the intention of rehabilitating them. Meals will be given at 8:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 7:00 pm, served in the prisoners’ cells. Prisoners can order books from nearby libraries. Paper and felt-tip pens can be given to prisoners at their request. They will shower once a week at stacked intervals so that no more than five prisoners are in a bathroom at a time.

Section 4: A new federal tax of five (5) dollars is to be implemented.

Section 5: The Rodriguez Key facility will be run and overseen by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP).

Subsection 1: The BOP is responsible for adding the needed security features (including but not limited to fences, outposts, metal detectors) that are needed. The money for these features should come from the tax mentioned is Section 4 of this bill, however. All other expansions to the prison will be overseen by the BOP using money from the tax. The BOP can expand the prison at any time they see fit.

405D: A BILL TO PROVIDE STATES WITH GRANTS FOR POLICE BODY CAMERAS

Sponsored by: Senator Caitlin Bourke, Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS Representative Mikaela Rose Tajo, Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS

The growing distrust between the police force and civilians has been escalating due to several controversial public cases of questionable police activities such as the Michael Brown case and the Eric Garner case. These two cases escalated to USHC public and controversial cases due to the lack of evidence of the actions of both parties. To ensure the safety and fair trial for both parties, states will be given grants if they agree to have their officers wear body cameras in order to record the situation and provide evidence for trials.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

54 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Section 1: Government grants will be rewarded to states if they accomplish the following:

Subsection 1: States will be responsible for prioritizing which areas are in need of body cameras. Areas with large amounts of crime and high police activity are higher priority for being provided with body cameras.

Subsection 2: If the states agree to implement and distribute body cameras to high priority areas, they will be provided with government grants to cover the expenses.

Section 2: The following actions are to be done with the recordings from the body cameras:

Subsection 1: Immediate actions will be done to put the video recordings in police archives and are to remain accessible to the police and the general public, especially if it is needed for legal actions, no matter whom it harms or helps.

Subsection 2: If a conflict arises where a police officer’s actions are questioned, the videos will be used as evidence and must be provided in a trial. Due to the fact that body cameras record the entire situation, it will be considered unbiased, un-manipulated, and reliable evidence. Under no circumstances will the evidence be withheld.

Section 3: The funding and implementation of the body cameras should be done as follows:

Subsection 1: The federal government shall provide the grants through the redistribution of local taxes already being paid for the police force. That money shall be budgeted to accommodate the new costs of body cameras at no further expense of the taxpayers.

Subsection 2: To insure that there is no useless expense, a body camera shall not be purchased for every police officer. Instead, body cameras will be shared between shifts.

Subsection 3: To reiterate Section 1, body cameras should only be implemented in high crime and high-risk areas. If there is evidence that body cameras were given in low crime areas, they will be redistributed at the state’s discretion.

Subsection 4: States that choose not to implement body cameras to high risk areas, will be given no government grants or additional funding in any cases dealing with the police department; thus encouraging states to participate.

406D: A BILL TO INCREASE FEDERAL FUNDING TOWARDS STEM CELL RESEARCH

Sponsored by: Senator Steven Bradley, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School Senator Ryan Breslin, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School Representative Jalen Lawimore, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School Representative Ryan Bonner, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School Representative Keith Williams, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School

Stem cells, being what some call the doorway to the future, must have increased funding to further research the potential benefits that may be procured. Having the potential to cure the world’s most deadly diseases, stem cells are the most important topic of modern science and medicine.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: The U.S. will allocate $450 million for research into developing new stem cell lines.

Section 2: Stem cell lines shall be defined as groups of stem cells, which are cultured in vitro and can be continued indefinitely through artificial means.

55 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Subsection 1: These lines can be derived from embryonic, adult, or induced stem cells.

Section 3: This legislation shall be overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Section 4: This legislation will go into effect immediately upon passage.

Section 5: All laws in conflict with this legislation are hereby declared null and void.

407D: A BILL TO CREATE THE UNITED STATES HOMELESS HOUSING ORGANIZATION

Sponsored By: Senator Kevin Bhattacharyya, Watchung Hills Regional High School Senator Parima Kadikar, Watchung Hills Regional High School Representative Alyse Horan, Watchung Hills Regional High School Representative Shivam Patel, Watchung Hills Regional High School Representative Jordan Green, Watchung Hills Regional High School

Homelessness in America has been overlooked and underestimated throughout history as a result of the false assumption that America is too advanced for such an issue to be rampant. However, according to a study conducted by the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, somewhere between 2.3 and 3.5 million American citizens experience homelessness annually. One child out of every fifty American children becomes homeless each year per a 2009 study performed by the National Center on Family Homelessness. Currently, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Health and Human Services both provide funding and indirect support for nonprofit organizations that help house the homeless, however the U.S. government is not involved in any direct action to build homeless shelters. The standard of living in these homeless shelters can fall to arduous levels as a result of inadequate support and negligence from those who are responsible for maintaining the shelters. Inhabitants often become subject to issues such as overcrowding and poor facilities which, in turn, lead to poor hygiene and the consequent spread of disease. Homelessness is ubiquitous; in addition to affecting the numerous impoverished peoples of the US it is significantly deleterious to the middle and upper class populations. The current situation rips apart families due to the financial and hygienic misfortunes given to them. Therefore, it is imperative that the issue of the rapidly growing homelessness problem in the United States is acknowledged and that the first step in improving and saving the lives and families of millions across the nation is taken.

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (U.S. HUD) will establish The United States Homeless Housing Organization (U.S. HHO) within their department that will be responsible for housing the homeless.

Subsection 1: This organization will buy the rights for abandoned and foreclosed buildings and then convert these buildings into shelters for the homeless.

Subsection 2: The U.S. HHO will establish government-approved regulations that will be reviewed annually.

Subsection 3: This organization will house homeless families on a first come first serve basis. Any families for which there is not enough room will be placed on a waiting list and moved into the shelter as space becomes available.

Subsection 4: The United States Homeless Housing Organization will limit the amount of years that inhabitants will be allowed to live its buildings to 2.5 years.

Subsection 5: This organization will set a predetermined limit for the amount of people that will be housed based on the living capacity in each building.

Section 2: The U.S. HHO will designate a Treasury Committee that manages the money that funnels in and out of the organization.

56 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Subsection 1: A yearly grant that will be used as a platform for the year’s economic endeavors of the organization will be acquired via reallocation of .07% the United States of America’s Military Budget.

Subsection 2: The Treasury Committee will also accept funding from potential donors.

Section 3: The United States Homeless Housing Organization will collaborate with banks and purchase the rights to foreclosed homes in areas with high rates of homelessness (cities include Los Angeles, New York City, Boston, Tampa, and Washington, D.C.).

Subsection 1: The U.S. HHO will send hired inspectors to check whether or not the buildings are foundationally secure and meet safety regulations. If the buildings are not deemed safe based on government-approved safety regulations then the organization will oversee renovations so that any necessary improvements can be made.

Section 4: The United States Homeless Housing Organization will provide career counseling for any inhabitants of working age.

Subsection 1: This counseling will remain available to people who have moved out of the shelters if they need continued assistance with developing plans for their futures.

Section 5: This organization will provide a shuttle system that provides transportation to and from the city center from the shelter every hour from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and every two hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 4 p.m.

408D: A BILL TO FURTHER EMPHASIZE AND REFORM FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDUCATION

Sponsored by: Senator Vyshnavi Khota, West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South Senator Niranjana Ganesh, West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South Representative Ashritha Bheemidi, West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South Representative Ananya Kashyap, West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South

In the early stages of brain development, primarily in the first ten years, brains are uniquely adapted to learning languages. This ability to quickly pick up languages without rote memorization and working through the first language “barrier” decreases with age, making it hard for students to pick up the language as time goes on. In the current academic curriculum of elementary schools across the United States, foreign language is not given as much importance or time in comparison to core classes, especially during the early stages of development. This critical period for linguistic development is a window of opportunity that is blatantly ignored in the present day. Moreover, although most students partake in world language education before college, few are proficient enough to converse with a native speaker of their language of choice. The cause of this discrepancy is the grammar and vocabulary centric approach to foreign language education today. With the aforementioned issues in mind, this bill attempts to teach kids the basics of foreign languages when they are best equipped to absorb them, by encouraging immersive methods that are as intuitive as possible.

Whereas: Learning a second language early on has exhibited positive effects on brain development. Whereas: Mastering a second language will help children become globally aware citizens and increase cultural sensitivity. Whereas: Being fluent in a second language is becoming a requirement for many jobs. Whereas: Learning a second language focuses attention on basic elements of language, improving the quality of students’ speech and writing in all languages. Whereas: Immersion is the process by which individuals learn their first languages.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: Foreign languages will be incorporated into the curriculum as early as possible.

Subsection 1: Elementary schools will gradually start teaching a foreign language in kindergarten.

57 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX

Subsection 2: Schools nationwide will have until 2020 to obtain the funds to start the new foreign language program.

Section 2: In order to capitalize upon the children’s superior linguistic ability, a predetermined amount of time will be dedicated to world language studies during the early years.

Subsection 1: Twenty percent of the average 6.5-hour school day will be dedicated to learning a foreign language.

Subsection 2: In the case that the school day is divided into periods, ten minutes from each class will be taken from all other classes and added to the foreign language class.

Subsection 3: This will only be in effect until the completion of second grade. With the onset of third grade, foreign language will be given the same emphasis as “core” subjects.

Section 3: Schools will be incentivized for following additional curriculum guidelines for foreign language education.

Subsection 1: These guidelines include that languages will be taught through immersion, indicating that the language being studied is also the medium of instruction.

Subsection 2: Guidelines also assert that curriculum that schools must adhere to will emphasize the natural progression of linguistic education in the following order: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Subsection 3: The United States Department of Education will determine the quantity of funds for schools meeting the aforementioned, exemplary, standards of world language education.

58 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX

SENATE & HOUSE E

501E: A BILL TO ELIMINATE TENURE FOR TEACHERS IN THE UNITED STATES Sponsored by: Senator Lana Salloum, Biotechnology H.S. Senator Selena Nandiwada, Biotechnology H.S. Representative Tyler Sapp, Biotechnology H.S. Representative Gabrielle Poliak, Biotechnology H.S. Representative Riya Singh, Biotechnology H.S.

502E: A BILL TO PROTECT NET NEUTRALITY Sponsored by: Senator Dylan Mullins, Colts Neck H.S. Senator Tommy Brenan, Colts Neck H.S. Representative Alyssa Chin, Colts Neck H.S. Representative Amanda Hawley, Colts Neck H.S. Representative Almira Demirovic, Colts Neck H.S.

503E: A BILL TO REGULATE THE PRICE OF MEDICATION Sponsored by: Senator Ricardo Roussel, DelCampo International School Senator Mariluz Rivera, DelCampo International School Representative Camila Ramirez, DelCampo International School Representative Miguel Rivera, DelCampo International School Representative Claudia Ochoa, DelCampo International School.

504E: A BILL TO PROVIDE A SEPARATE PROSECUTOR IN COURT CASES WHERE A LAWSUIT IS BEING FILED AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS Sponsored by: Senator Amal Bajwa, Freehold Township H.S. Senator Rotem Cudkevich, Freehold Township H.S. Representative Emily Dolan, Freehold Township H.S. Representative Aidan Scully, Freehold Township H.S.

505E: A BILL TO PROVIDE GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR RESEARCH ON HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELL LINES Sponsored by: Senator Anna Coleman, George School Senator Violet Myles, George School Representative Claire Kinnel, George School Representative Shawn Bankoff, George School Representative Charles Ryan, George School

506E: A BILL TO ENACT MANDATED CHOICE FOR CADAVERIC ORGAN DONATION Sponsored by: Senator Bill Lee, High Tech H.S. Senator George Iskander, High Tech H.S. Representative Sabit Nasir, High Tech H.S. Representative Matthew Lobo, High Tech H.S.

507E: A BILL TO INSTALL GENDER NEUTRAL RESTROOMS IN ALL FEDERALLY FUNDED ESTABLISHMENTS Sponsored by: Senator Natalie Kalos, Manalapan H.S. Senator Kiersten Schmidt, Manalapan H.S. Representative Kimberly McCabe, Manalapan H.S. Representative David Oygenblik, Manalapan H.S. Representative Kasey Shneiderovsky, Manalapan H.S.

508E: BILL TO GIVE THOSE IN PRISON THE RIGHT TO VOTE Sponsored by: Senator Careisha Black, Morris Knolls H.S. Representative Daniela Nieves, Morris Knolls H.S. Representative Lauren Frid, Morris Knolls H.S. 59 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX 501E: A BILL TO ELIMINATE TENURE FOR TEACHERS IN THE UNITED STATES

Sponsored by: Senator Lana Salloum, Biotechnology H.S. Senator Selena Nandiwada, Biotechnology H.S. Representative Tyler Sapp, Biotechnology H.S. Representative Gabrielle Poliak, Biotechnology H.S. Representative Riya Singh, Biotechnology H.S.

A teacher’s tenure states that if a teacher works for a specific amount of time then they cannot be removed from the position even if they are incompetent or not fit for the field. The tenure system makes the removal of a poorly performing teacher with tenure a difficult process. This process could even cost the school more money and they end up retaining their bad teachers. This bill should be passed because education is the most important step leading towards success in the future. Teachers are meant to lead in discovery and propel the next generation to its greatest capacity.

Whereas: Each year, only 1,000 teachers in many major cities, are removed from their position for incompetence, and since from 2007- 2010, only 88 out of 80,000 are fired for poor teaching. Whereas: The current tenure system enables incompetent teachers to maintain their position, meanwhile, there are more adequate teachers that would be much more qualified to fill the position.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: American schoolteachers will not receive the benefits of tenure.

Subsection 1: Eliminating tenure would make it easier to hire new, more competent teachers, and reduce the difficulty of firing inefficient teachers.

Section 2: Teachers will be regularly evaluated to determine whether they are still competent to hold the position.

Subsection 1: These evaluations would be carried out by the teacher’s students, fellow teachers, and boss.

Subsection 2: Instead of the principal or evaluator informing the teacher before the evaluation, there will be random inspections every four months. This will give the school board a better understanding as to how the teachers actually perform on a regular basis.

Subsection 3: In lieu of annual reviews dictating the extent of a teacher’s salary raise, or lack thereof, annual salary raises will be determined by the regular evaluations mentioned in Section 2.

Section 3: Teachers will be mandated to take an exam on the subject(s) they are currently teaching every 5 years covering the curriculum in the state where they practice to renew their teaching license.

Subsection 1: If a teacher fails this exam, or scores below the 70th percentile, they will be let go from their current position as soon as a replacement is found.

Subsection 2: If a teacher is found to be proficient in his or her area of expertise, or scores above the 85th percentile, they will be given a 6.5% increase in salary.

Subsection 3: If a teacher is found to be score above the 70th percentile, in his or her area of expertise, they will have successfully renewed their teaching license.

Section 4: This bill shall go into effect 91 days after passage.

502E: A BILL TO PROTECT NET NEUTRALITY

Sponsored by: Senator Dylan Mullins, Colts Neck H.S. Senator Tommy Brenan, Colts Neck H.S. Representative Alyssa Chin, Colts Neck H.S. 60 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Representative Amanda Hawley, Colts Neck H.S. Representative Almira Demirovic, Colts Neck H.S.

The current providers of public electronic communication networks as well as other general broadband providers of Internet access have evolved into territorial monopolies across the United States. This has allowed them to abuse American consumers by charging a premium for Internet capabilities that rank lower than 23 other countries across the globe. This abuse will be furthered by proposed plans by these monopolies to manipulate the rates at which certain data from specific companies is transmitted to consumers, based on which companies have paid the broadband providers an extra fee. By slowing down data from companies that cannot afford to pay such a premium, up-and-coming and smaller Internet businesses will not be able to compete with larger currently established companies. Thus, the ability of these providers to discriminate data should be outlawed to ensure that American equality is protected on the Internet.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: This act designates all Internet providers as common carriers, which shall prohibit them from discriminating data based on the consumer or company being provided.

Section 2: All Internet service providers must supply their consumers with data speeds of at least 75% of the provider’s total capability.

Section 3: Companies that provide Internet services will be prohibited from implementing systems that slow down various data channels to certain businesses, while increasing channels to other businesses.

Section 4: Congress shall implement a plan that mandates certain broadband providers be broken up into smaller companies in such a fashion that allows over ⅔ of the U.S. population to have 3 or more choices of Internet providers.

Section 5: A ten-member National Internet Proficiency board will be appointed by the President to explore and create new means of which to improve to the Internet capabilities of the United States.

503E: A BILL TO REGULATE THE PRICE OF MEDICATION

Sponsored by: Senator Ricardo Roussel, DelCampo International School Senator Mariluz Rivera, DelCampo International School Representative Camila Ramirez, DelCampo International School Representative Miguel Rivera, DelCampo International School Representative Claudia Ochoa, DelCampo International School.

Medication is needed in every corner of the globe. According to the World Health Organization, every human being is entitled to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health. In the United States, medication is not affordable or available for more than 65 million citizens, therefore a huge part of the American population doesn't have access to the highest attainable standard of health. Many people with severe disabilities, such as visual impairment, mental retardation, deep dyslexia, and lack of mobility in areas such as legs and arms, have a difficult time getting employed and even performing basic tasks. Furthermore, even people without disabilities have poor access to basic health care and medication due to the poor decisions the government has taken towards health care and the pharmaceutical business.

Medication in The United States is unaffordable compared to the prices in other developed countries. For example, Nexium, a drug commonly used for decreasing stomach acids, costs around $215 in the USA, while in the Netherlands, the same box of Nexium costs $23. The story of Nexium and a vast number of similar drugs, is proof that the pharmaceutical industry is now primarily a marketing machine to sell drugs at exorbitant prices for their own benefit. Although the pharmaceutical industry funds many high-priced research teams for the discovery of new cures, the majority of the overabundant income that it makes isn't used to fund any research. A recent study shows that if the United States' economy depended solely on the income of the pharmaceutical companies, the United States would be the fifth wealthiest country in the planet. The truth is, the pharmaceutical industry could fund many research projects and pay a gratifying salary to all its employees, if it charged half the price it charges for most of its drugs.

61 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX The standard of living in the United States could increase at least an 8.2% since most families wouldn't have to spend so much money on overpriced medication.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: Pharmaceutical companies will reduce the price of basic prescription drugs and over the counter drugs, to at least 50% of its original price.

Section 2: Any citizen with an income below $15,000 a year will only be required to pay the tax of the medication being purchased. These citizens would be identified by an already given certificate.

Section 3: Pharmaceutical companies not abiding by the mentioned regulations will be penalized with a fine of $1,000 per sold medication.

Section 4: If in any case, pharmaceutical companies don't follow the mentioned regulations, it will be considered a violation to the right to health, which is enforced by the Constitution of the World Health Organization.

504E: A BILL TO PROVIDE A SEPARATE PROSECUTOR IN COURT CASES WHERE A LAWSUIT IS BEING FILED AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS

Sponsored by: Senator Amal Bajwa, Freehold Township H.S. Senator Rotem Cudkevich, Freehold Township H.S. Representative Emily Dolan, Freehold Township H.S. Representative Aidan Scully, Freehold Township H.S.

Currently, for lawsuits filed against a police officer or law enforcement official, a county prosecutor is used. However, this prosecutor is more often than not accused of having a conflict of interest, given their affiliations with the law enforcement. For example, there recently have been many court cases in which the prosecutor seems to have unfairly sided with the law enforcement. This has produced outrage, causing people to wonder about the bias that may have caused this outcome. To ensure that justice is served, it is necessary for an impartial representative to act as a “special” prosecutor in cases where a law enforcement official is being tried. This special prosecutor will cause the public to increase their trust in law enforcement, which is a prerequisite to an effective criminal justice system. It will also produce less conflict from an unpopular outcome of a court case.

Whereas: Special prosecutor can dampen or eliminate real and perceived conflicts of interest when a local district or state’s attorney prosecutes a law enforcement official. Whereas: There will be no guarantee that the prosecutor is being impartial and not biased towards law enforcement until a third party is brought in. Whereas: The use of a special prosecutor will cause the public to increase their trust in law enforcement which is a prerequisite to an effective criminal justice system.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: Law enforcement facilities throughout the United States of America be required to provide a special prosecutor for court cases where a lawsuit is being filed against a police officer or any other law enforcement official.

Section 2: This special prosecutor must not have any previous ties and must have no known reason to side with the law enforcement official, and must be an impartial representative.

505E: A BILL TO PROVIDE GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR RESEARCH ON HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELL LINES

Sponsored by: Senator Anna Coleman, George School Senator Violet Myles, George School

62 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Representative Claire Kinnel, George School Representative Shawn Bankoff, George School Representative Charles Ryan, George School

Whereas: In 2014, according to a study conducted by the American Cancer Society, 1,665,540 people died from cancer. Whereas: According to the CDC, 1 in 700 babies is born with Down syndrome. Whereas: According to the CDC 600,000 people (1 in 7 deaths) die from heart disease each year. Whereas: Stem cell research has shown the potential to find cures for cancer and heart disease, and mitigate the damage of birth defects. Whereas: Stem cell research has shown potential in finding cures and treatments for many other diseases that cripple America.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: Effective immediately, the federal government shall be required to give 0.1% of the NIH medical research budget (an increase of .76% from estimated numbers of 2013) to stem cell research lines in college, government, or private research labs.

Section 2: The money shall be given in grants as it is now.

Section 3: Funds shall not be given for the creation of cell lines or the destruction of embryos. Money is to be given for research on existing Stem Cell lines on the NIH Stem Cell Registry only.

Subsection 1: The funding for research will be provided as long as the human embryonic stem cells have been donated from in vitro fertilization clinics, were created for the purposes of fertility treatment, were in excess of needs of the individuals seeking such treatment or were donated by individuals with written informed consent and without any financial or other inducements.

Section 4: Funds will be given to research project solely devoted to researching fatal diseases.

Section 5: The distribution of funds will be subject to mortality rates and frequency of the disease.

Section 6: Funds will be distributed to stem cell research lines in college, government, or private research lab after having shown qualifications of previous success in research projects.

506E: A BILL TO ENACT MANDATED CHOICE FOR CADAVERIC ORGAN DONATION

Sponsored by: Senator Bill Lee, High Tech H.S. Senator George Iskander, High Tech H.S. Representative Sabit Nasir, High Tech H.S. Representative Matthew Lobo, High Tech H.S.

On average, eighteen people in the U.S. die every day because of the shortfall of organs. The number of people sustaining end-stage organ failure annually continues to grow. Over one hundred thousand people are on the waiting list for organs, and that number has only been increasing. 3-D organ printing promises to revolutionize organ donation, but the breakthrough is still years away. The prevalent misbelief that doctors and surgeons will ‘kill’ patients in order to harvest organs is only one factor in the low donation rates across the country. Opt-out organ donation has been criticized for violating individual sovereignty. However, there is an alternative. Under mandated choice, individuals must indicate their preference to be a donor or nondonor on federal paperwork; otherwise their papers will not be processed. Illinois has adopted mandated choice and donation rates have increased from thirty-eight percent to sixty percent.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: An individual’s choice to be a donor or nondonor is legally binding.

63 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Section 2: Individual tax returns will be updated to include a list of statements that detail the specifics of organ donation in order for an individual to give informed consent.

Subsection 1: The individual must sign off on every statement.

Section 3: At the end of the list, the individual must answer the question “Do you wish to enroll as an organ donor?” by checking either “Yes” or “No.”

Subsection 1: If an individual does not indicate his/her preference, his/her tax returns will not be processed.

Subsection 2: The individual has the option of answering the secondary question of whether or not he/she wishes to give organ donation priority to his/her “immediate family” as defined by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

507E: A BILL TO ESTABLISH GENDER NEUTRAL RESTROOMS IN ALL FEDERALLY FUNDED ESTABLISHMENTS

Sponsored by: Senator Natalie Kalos, Manalapan H.S. Senator Kiersten Schmidt, Manalapan H.S. Representative Kimberly McCabe, Manalapan H.S. Representative David Oygenblik, Manalapan H.S. Representative Kasey Shneiderovsky, Manalapan H.S.

A large majority of restrooms in federally funded buildings are segregated by gender. Occasionally, one could find buildings with “family” restrooms, or a single stall restroom for both males and females. Many people in the transgender community face abuse when using public restrooms, ranging from dirty looks to physical abuse. There are also people who identify outside the gender binary, such as agender, genderfluid, and demigender individuals. There is an entire spectrum of people who are not represented by binary restrooms, which can cause them stress and confusion, and increase the threat of harassment for non-binary individuals. A gender-neutral bathroom is generally a single stall bathroom that can be used by any person no matter how they identify. Other groups that can benefit from these bathrooms include families and disabled persons with a caretaker of the opposite gender. The city of Philadelphia, as well as many colleges across the nation, have already begun installing gender-neutral restrooms.

Whereas: Transgender individuals are often physically or verbally abused when using a binary gendered restroom. Whereas: Gender segregated restrooms do not take into account individuals who identify with a non-binary gender. Whereas: Individuals who require assistance from a caretaker of the opposite gender are often stigmatized.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: Any establishment that receives federal funding will be required to install at least one gender-neutral restroom.

Subsection 1: The minimum requirement for a gender-neutral restroom will be one stall.

Subsection 2: Gender-neutral restrooms are to be accessible to any person of any gender.

Subsection 3: Establishments will have the option of relabeling any qualifying restroom as “gender-neutral” as an alternative to installing an entirely new restroom.

Section 2: Any establishment that fails to meet these requirements by January 1st, 2018 will have its federal funding terminated until the requirements are met.

Subsection 1: Establishments that do not contain any restrooms, and do not possess the need for restrooms, are excluded from the requirements enumerated in this legislation.

64 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Section 3: Any organization that faces a financial obstruction as a result of this legislation, may apply for a federal grant to cover the cost of the renovation or installation of a restroom.

Subsection 1: Federal agencies will review the grant applications and verify compensation within 90 days of filing.

508E: BILL TO GIVE THOSE IN PRISON THE RIGHT TO VOTE

Sponsored by: Senator Careisha Black, Morris Knolls H.S. Representative Daniela Nieves, Morris Knolls H.S. Representative Lauren Frid, Morris Knolls H.S.

It is every American’s natural born right to be able to vote. However, America has stripped that right away from those convicted of a felony while incarcerated, on parole, or on probation. This not only goes against what we stand for as a country but it also turns away from their rights as citizens for the right to vote.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: Those incarcerated should be given voting booths while there if they wish to vote while there.

Section 2: Those on parole and probation should be escorted to the nearest voting convention if they have the desire to vote.

Section 3: The government denying a group of people their right to vote is discrimination and should be outlawed.

65 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX

SENATE & HOUSE F

601F: AN AMENDMENT TO ABOLISH THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE Sponsored by: Senator Jonathan Foldi, Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Representative Jared Bauman, Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School

602F: A BILL TO AMEND THE SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE RISK OF CYANOTOXINS IN DRINKING WATER Sponsored by: Senator Rachaita Trivedi, Colts Neck H.S. Senator Julia Citron, Colts Neck H.S. Representative Sydney Howard, Colts Neck H.S. Representative Samantha Salem, Colts Neck H.S. Representative Erin Barrett, Colts Neck H.S.

603F: A BILL TO IMPLEMENT AN ANTI-BULLYING LAW IN SCHOOL Sponsored by: Senator Valeria Perdomo, DelCampo International School Senator Nour Mihamou, DelCampo International School Representative Julie Centeno, DelCampo International School Representative Camila Munguia, DelCampo International School Representative Jonathan Mays, DelCampo International School

604F: A BILL TO RESEARCH LIFE EXTENSION TECHNOLOGIES Sponsored by: Senator Adi Melamed, Bergen County Academies Representative May Chen, Friends Select School

605F: A BILL TO MANDATE NATIONAL SOLAR ROADWAYS Sponsored by: Senator Daniella Hoyte, Plainfield H.S. Senator Jarrett Brown, Plainfield H.S. Representative Norman Rogers, Plainfield H.S. Representative Minah Fagan, Plainfield H.S.

606F: THREE STRIKES AND YOU’RE OUT Sponsored by: Senator Henry Bartman, Princeton H.S. Senator Jamaica Ponder, Princeton H.S. Representative Ameya Hadap, Princeton H.S.

607F: A BILL TO MODIFY THE FARM BILL Sponsored by: Senator Pratik Reddy, Rutgers Preparatory School Senator Rithvik Kondai, Rutgers Preparatory School Representative Tynan Gardner, Rutgers Preparatory School Representative Jacky Zou, Rutgers Preparatory School

608F: A BILL TO REDUCE CHILDHOOD OBESITY THROUGH A MEDICAL SPORTS PROGRAM IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Sponsored by: Senator Kelvin Mo, St. John’s H.S. Senator Sariemma Mendez, St. John’s H.S. Representative Sophie Shames, St. John’s H.S. Representative Enrique Vazquez, St. John’s H.S. Representative Fabian Colon, St. John’s H.S.

66 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX 601F: AN AMENDMENT TO ABOLISH THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE

Sponsored by: Senator Jonathan Foldi, Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Representative Jared Bauman, Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School

Whereas: The use of the Electoral College unevenly divides political power between the states. Whereas: The Electoral College causes candidates to disproportionately campaign in “swing states”.

Be it amended by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: The Electoral College shall be abolished.

Section 2: The election of the President of the United State shall be based on a direct popular vote, which is to be conducted after party primaries.

Section 3: The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

602F: A BILL TO AMEND THE SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT

Sponsored by: Senator Rachaita Trivedi, Colts Neck H.S. Senator Julia Citron, Colts Neck H.S. Representative Sydney Howard, Colts Neck H.S. Representative Samantha Salem, Colts Neck H.S. Representative Erin Barrett, Colts Neck H.S.

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) “is the main federal law that ensures the quality of Americans' drinking water. Under SDWA, Environmental Protection Agency sets standards for drinking water quality and oversees the states, localities, and water suppliers who implement those standards.” Cyanotoxins are toxins produced by cyanobacteria, which if ingested in any form can potentially lead to temporary illness or death; there are three types of cyanotoxins: Microcystin-LR, Cylindrospermopsin, and Anatoxin-a group, which have a range of health effects from liver inflammation to potential tumor growth to respiratory paralysis (eventually leading to death).

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: A well-developed strategy is formed in which the administrator shall devise and submit a strategic plan to Congress in regards to the assessment and management associated with cyanotoxins in drinking water provided by public water systems.

Section 2: Updates shall be required to be submitted as appropriate to Congress in regards to reevaluating and redeveloping the strategic plan to ensure public safety.

Section 3: If aforementioned requirements are breached and or public safety is endangered, then a government inspection shall be carried out to ensure the hygiene practices of the water purification are met.

603F: A BILL TO IMPLEMENT AN ANTI-BULLYING LAW IN SCHOOL

Sponsored by: Senator Valeria Perdomo, DelCampo International School Senator Nour Mihamou, DelCampo International School Representative Julie Centeno, DelCampo International School Representative Camila Munguia, DelCampo International School Representative Jonathan Mays, DelCampo International School

Bullying is the third main cause of suicide among young people, according to the OLWEUS Bullying Prevention Program. The definition of bullying, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is "intentionally aggressive, usually repeated verbal, social, or physical behavior aimed at a specific person or group of people." There are 49

67 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX states that have anti-bullying laws; however, according to OLWEUS Bullying Prevention, 1 out of 7 children in grades kindergarten to twelfth have been either a bully or a victim of bullying. A shocking number of 282,000 students are being attacked in some way at school every month and over half of adolescents are bullied online. Bullying may be related to racism, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, and physical aspect. According to The Department of Health and Human Services, there are no federal laws that specifically apply to bullying. Bullying Statistics states that 10% of students drop out of school and turn to homeschooling, or simply change schools because of the severity of the bullying. Bullying can cause serious physical, emotional, and psychological issues, such as depression, anxiety, and self-harm. In many cases, children that have been bullied become a bully to retaliate. These children seek revenge occasionally in school shootings. School reports display that "1 out of every 20 students has seen other students take a gun to school." The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) reports that bullying stops within 10 seconds 57% of the time when someone intervenes. A simple message such as "bully free zone" or "bullying is not tolerated" has proven ineffective in the vast majority of school settings.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: Every school will abide by an anti-bullying law.

Section 2: Disciplinary measures will be taken in all bullying cases, and consequences will include, but are not limited to suspension, expulsion, and community service.

Section 3: Every incident occurring on school grounds is required to be reported.

Section 4: Victims of bullying will have the right to psychological counseling.

Section 5: Students involved in bullying incidents will be required to participate in counseling interventions for the time period as seen necessary by the counselor and school administrator.

Section 6: Parents of the bullies and bullied victims will be informed of school incidents pertaining to their child.

604F: A BILL TO RESEARCH LIFE EXTENSION TECHNOLOGIES

Sponsored by: Senator Adi Melamed, Bergen County Academies Representative May Chen, Friends Select School

The concept of death has populated literature since humankind could first begin to write and record. Fantasies and philosophical inquiries have pondered the question of whether life could be extended. As biological and technological innovations progress and advance, the possibility of continual life extension beyond the current average life expectancy seems possible. With the advancements of sanitation and modern medicine the average life expectancy rose from approximately 30 years to over 65. In recent times, the industry of life extension has generated great popular demand; the unregulated market for anti-aging supplements, hormonal replacements and more generates over $50 billion in revenue each year. As a nation, we should investigate and debate the technologies, methodology, and practices of life extension in a regulated and proper manner.

Whereas: private organizations and corporations such as the Life Extension Foundation and Google have already placed over $0.5 billion in aging research. Whereas: the National Institutes of Health (NIH) only set aside 3.7% of its $31 billion budget for aging research. Whereas: the BRAIN initiative, which began in 2013, has set aside over $300 million in public and private support for research pertaining to the BRAIN initiative. Whereas: EU’s equivalent to the BRAIN initiative, the Human Brain Project, has invested over $1 billion over 10 years for the purpose of neurological research. Whereas: the Human Genome Project, funded by the Federal Government with $3.8 billion over 15 years has generated an economic output of $176 billion - a return of $141 for every $1 invested.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

68 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Section 1: The Federal Government allocate $3 billion dollars through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) over 15 years for the sole purpose of aging research, which includes but is not limited to biological and technological means of extending the human lifespan.

Subsection 1: Through the National Institutes of Aging (NIA), funding will be properly allocated for the development of new facilities, technologies and research grants with the purpose of advancing aging research.

Subsection 2: Funding shall be limited to academic and federal institutions, research facilities and programs.

Section 2: The Federal Government increase the funding for the BRAIN initiative, to $1 billion over 15 years for the purpose of understanding the brain and its mechanisms.

Subsection 1: Through the establishment of a sub department under the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), to be named the Institute of Neurological and Technological Life Extension Research (INTLER), $500 million of the total BRAIN initiative budget will be strictly allocated to neurological and technological forms of life extension research.

Subsection 2: Funding shall be limited to academic and federal institutions, research facilities and programs.

Section 3: Funding for the NIA, BRAIN initiative, and INTLER for the purposes of life extension research will be reevaluated and reestablished every 15 years by the United States Congress.

605F: A BILL TO MANDATE NATIONAL SOLAR ROADWAYS

Sponsored by: Senator Daniella Hoyte, Plainfield H.S. Senator Jarrett Brown, Plainfield H.S. Representative Norman Rogers, Plainfield H.S. Representative Minah Fagan, Plainfield H.S.

After 50 years of continuous use, the interstate roadways are in desperate need of maintenance. As of today, 33 percent of the nation's major roads are in "poor or mediocre conditions". Federal and state funding is failing to keep up with the need to maintain existing infrastructure and increase capacity. Once we can repair theses current roadways, we should replace theses roadways with more innovative pieces of technology like solar panels. Implementing solar panels on the interstate highway system will reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and create new ways of getting energy.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: With the enactment of this bill, solar panels shall be installed on all interstate highways.

Section 2: All private contractors shall be required to install solar panels in all future maintenance and construction of new interstate roads.

Section 3: All excessive energy will be sold and used as funds for the department of transportation.

Subsection 1: All funds gained through the selling of the excessive energy must be used to aid in the maintenance of the interstate highways systems initiative.

Section 4: Congress shall have the power to enforce the terms of the bill by appropriate legislation.

Section 5: This bill is effective by January 1, 2025.

606F: THREE STRIKES AND YOU’RE OUT

69 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Sponsored by: Senator Henry Bartman, Princeton H.S. Senator Jamaica Ponder, Princeton H.S. Representative Ameya Hadap, Princeton H.S.

The federal government often hastily enacts sweeping legislation in times of fear that have disastrous effects long after the emotion fades. Through extensive studies and analysis, legislation known as “three strikes laws” or “habitual offender laws” have been found ineffective and in fact have been shown to produce the opposite of the intended effect. Designed to affect felons, those who commit extremely heinous crimes, these laws have an inversely proportional effect on misdemeanor offenses. With the United States incarcerating the most citizens out of any country in the world, the time is now to break down these not only ineffective laws but destructive laws. The goal of this bill is not to completely repeal each and every habitual criminal law across the country but rather amend and refine them back to their original purpose; the punishment of violent criminals.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that

Section 1: A stricter definition and implementation of violent crimes and their punishment.

Subsection 1: Violent crime is defined as: A premeditated act of violence resulting in the psychological or physical damage of another person or persons. Crimes judges deem fit this definition perfectly, including rape, molestation, murder and others are the only ones that can fall under the three strikes law and all of its amended punishments [See mandatory sentencing section.

Section 2: The three strikes system and the criminal justice system at large disproportionately affects drug offenders.

Subsection 1: 48% of all criminals indicted last year were indicted for drug offense

Subsection 2: Only 8% of criminals indicted last year were indicted for violent crimes

Subsection 3: Drug laws are out of date and were established decades ago amid a war on drugs and are no longer applicable to the twenty first century. Subsection 4: All drug offenders that exhibit a history of drug arrests and would have fallen under the parameters of the three strikes law will be sent to a drug rehabilitation center for the first and last month of their sentence.

Subsection 5: Most rehabilitation centers cost anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 dollars a day would be equal to if not less than their previous costs [see the funding subsection for further information on the subject].

Subsection 6: Based on information provided by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR)-formerly the Department of Corrections, 44 percent of all inmate strikers were convicted of a serious offense, while 56 percent were convicted of non-serious or nonviolent offenses. It is likely that these figures somewhat under-report the percentage of strikers whose current offense activity was actually serious or violent. This could occur in some cases because district attorneys choose to prosecute strikers for non-serious, nonviolent offenses that may be easier to prove in court knowing that the Three Strikes sentence enhancement will still apply.

Section 3: A complete review of all aspects of the California penal system.

Subsection 1: The establishment of a committee comprising of California legislators and criminal justice experts to review the system at large and advise, not order, the California State legislature on ways to repeal three strikes.

Subsection 2: The California prison system currently houses 42,000 inmates under three strikes laws, comprising 30% of its prison population, costing taxpayers millions of dollars a year.

Subsection 3: There is absolutely no evidence that show these laws are in anyway effective at deterring crime and in some instances even raise it.

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Section 4: The removal of mandatory sentencing

Subsection 1: If a person has two or more previous serious or violent felony convictions, the sentence for any new felony conviction (not just a serious or violent felony) is life imprisonment with the minimum term being 25 years.

Subsection 2: The statute requires consecutive, rather than concurrent, sentencing for multiple offenses committed by strikers. For example, an offender convicted of two third strike offenses would receive a minimum term of 50 years (two 25-year terms added together) to life.

Subsection 3: There is no limit to the number of felonies that can be included in the consecutive sentence.

Subsection 4: The length of time between the prior and new felony conviction does not affect the imposition of the new sentence, so serious and violent felony offenses committed many years before a new offense can be counted as prior strikes. Subsection 5: Strikers cannot reduce the time they spend in prison by more than one-fifth (rather than the standard of one-half) by earning credits from work or education activities.

Subsection 6: Mandatory sentencing of no less than 25 years that does not allow for the possibility of parole eliminates all incentives for actual reform, the fundamental principle behind the department of corrections.

607F: A BILL TO MODIFY THE FARM BILL

Sponsored by: Senator Pratik Reddy, Rutgers Preparatory School Senator Rithvik Kondai, Rutgers Preparatory School Representative Tynan Gardner, Rutgers Preparatory School Representative Jacky Zou, Rutgers Preparatory School

Whereas the purpose of this bill is to modify/abolish tax subsidizations on corn and tobacco respectively. These subsidies are a result of the passing of the Farm Bill in 1933, which started Food Stamps and implemented government support/tax cuts on commodity crops such as corn, wheat, barley, tobacco, etc. The cheap production of cigarettes directly contributes to lung cancer (160000 mortalities in 2014) in the United States, a product which is supported through government support from the Farm Bill. Corn used for the production of cheap High Fructose Corn Syrup not only violates the premise under which it was subsidized, the affordable health and sustenance of the American population, but also is one of the largest contributors to American obesity. However, producers and refiners of cheap HFCs have a large influence on the funding of politicians’ campaigns, and play a large role in the election of our politicians. The purpose of these Government subsidies was for the health of a starving population. However, this bill is now being exploited by Big Food and Tobacco to maximize their profits while both needlessly draining the funds of government Medicaid/Medicare and severely damaging American health.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: Abolish the subsidy allotted for the tobacco crop

Subsection 1: Funds saved from the abolition of the subsidy will be allocated to programs promoting nicotine awareness and the improvement of government health programs such as Medicare.

Section 2: Reduce the subsidy allotted for the corn crop by 50%

Subsection 1: The majority of this subsidy will go to growing the crop for beneficial purposes and not health- harming purposes such as using corn for the production of HFC

Subsection 2: The allocation of said funds will be overseen by the USDA.

71 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Section 3: Funds saved from the cut of corn subsidies will go to beneficial programs/subsidies

Subsection 1: Allocation of the cut funds will be overseen and distributed by the USDA to healthy farm products such as barley, wheat, milk, etc.

Subsection 2: The second allocation will go to non-profit healthy living programs to encourage awareness for obesity and heart disease

Section 4: This bill will go into effect 95 days after passage.

608F: A BILL TO REDUCE CHILDHOOD OBESITY THROUGH A MEDICAL SPORTS PROGRAM IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Sponsored by: Senator Kelvin Mo, St. John’s H.S. Senator Sariemma Mendez, St. John’s H.S. Representative Sophie Shames, St. John’s H.S. Representative Enrique Vazquez, St. John’s H.S. Representative Fabian Colon, St. John’s H.S.

Obesity is related to more than 30 chronic conditions, including diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and arthritis. Obesity has become a major health concern for millions of Americans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 1 in 5 child is subjected to obesity. Contrary to conditions in the past, many children now stay indoors after school to watch television or play video games instead of playing outside. In order to help prevent and diminish childhood obesity, a full-year program has been created which will provide a series of activities that will encourage all children to participate in sports and activities. The goal of this program is to reach out to all but primarily to children who are obese and help them in order to diminish future health problems.

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States, that:

Section 1: All Participants need to be considered medically overweight in order to participate.

Section 2: A nutrition class for the parents would be added to take place once every three months during this program to teach parents of easy, simple and smart choices all under a low budget to find at restaurants, fast food and supermarkets.

Section 3: Sports will be chosen depending on each school’s accommodations and conditions.

Section 4: In order to join the league, the child must be medically recognized as obese. The child will be put into the following categories depending on his/her age: U-7, U-9, U-11, U-13, U-15, and U-17.

Section 5: The National Obesity Foundation will provide Seminars to coaches. Each employee’s salary will be provided by the foundation depending of the position and amount time worked.

Section 6: This program will begin in the year of 2020. A five-year period will be given to the program directors so that they can train and provide all necessary materials for future program instructors.

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SENATE & HOUSE G

701G: A BILL TO ENFORCE SECULARISM IN PUBLIC SCIENCE CLASSES Sponsored by: Senator Henry Campos, Biotechnology H.S. Senator Burton Ye, Biotechnology H.S. Representative Alex Yang, Biotechnology H.S. Representative Saaketh Kanikicharla, Biotechnology H.S.

702G: A BILL TO REFORM CAMPAIGN FINANCE AND SPENDING Sponsored by: Senator Simran Singh, Conestoga H.S. Senator Evan Snyder, Conestoga H.S. Representative Nikko Markakos, Conestoga H.S. Representative Chris Ferris, Conestoga H.S.

703G: AN AMENDMENT TO REPEAL THE SECOND AMENDMENT OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION Sponsored by: Senator Amy Abdalla, High Tech H.S. Senator Maria Villalobos, High Tech H.S. Representative Rangoli Mittal, High Tech H.S. Representative Samantha Darocha, High Tech H.S.

704G: A BILL TO BAN CONVERSION THERAPY Sponsored by: Senator Rita Wang, John P. Stevens H.S. Representative Kimberly Chang, John P. Stevens H.S.

705G: A BILL TO MANDATE SMART TECHNOLOGY IN ALL NEWLY MANUFACTURED VEHICLES Sponsored by: Senator Estephany Flamenco, Plainfield H.S. Representative Maria Ramirez, Plainfield H.S.

706G: A BILL TO INFORM SOCIAL NETWORK USERS OF THE UTILIZATION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION Sponsored by: Senator Loren Matelsky, Roxbury H.S. Representative Jackie Ennis, Roxbury H.S. Representative Sullivan Sharkey, Roxbury H.S.

707G: A BILL TO REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS AND ENCOURAGE A SHIFT TO ALTERNATIVE ENERGY Sponsored by: Senator Arjun Ahluwalia, Rutgers Preparatory School Senator Rebekah Park, Rutgers Preparatory School Representative Michael Coiro, Rutgers Preparatory School

708G: A BILL TO REQUIRE THAT CITIZENS OVER THE AGE OF 70 TO RETAKE THEIR DRIVING TESTS Sponsored by: Senator Olivia Katz, St. John’s H.S. Senator Samuel Barlia, St. John’s H.S. Representative Luisa Baez, St. John’s H.S. Representative Ivia Bou, St. John’s H.S. Representative Stephan Riquelme, St. John’s H.S.

73 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX 701G: A BILL TO ENFORCE SECULARISM IN PUBLIC SCIENCE CLASSES

Sponsored by: Senator Henry Campos, Biotechnology High School Senator Burton Ye, Biotechnology High School Representative Alex Yang, Biotechnology High School Representative Saaketh Kanikicharla, Biotechnology High School

As science continues to expand and progress, it is natural that it be met with some level of opposition. However, when scientific theories are subject to scrutiny on the grounds that they endanger the validity of religious beliefs, there comes a time when that opposition must be put to rest. In hundreds of public schools across the nation, school boards are being pressured by religiously affiliated groups and individuals that seek to repress the theory of evolution due to its inherently conflicting nature with the Genesis account of the Bible. In order to discredit evolution, deists force schools to offer creationism/intelligent design (the theory that the Earth was created in six days by the Abrahamic God, that the Earth has only existed for approx. 6,000 years, and other concepts) as subjects in science courses, as well as vehemently asserting that evolution is only a theory, and thus, has no greater backing than intelligent design. As public schools are funded via state and federal taxes, it is unconstitutional that the concept of creationism (whose main ideas are derived directly from a religious text) be taught as a relevant science. In maintaining the separation of church and state, as well as the progress of science, it is necessary that the inclusion of religious ideas in public science classrooms be banned.

Whereas: The theory of intelligent design is predicated upon theist beliefs, with no scientific evidence supporting it. Whereas: The theory of evolution is accepted by the vast majority of the scientific community as the most valid model describing the origin of life. Whereas: The funding of public schools by the federal government makes them immediately subject to the separation of church and state.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: Any educational institutions that receive funding from state and federal programs be forbidden from including the theory of intelligent design in science courses.

Section 2: In order to ensure that evolution is regarded as an unproven theory, pupils in science courses at affected schools with be adequately informed of the evidence in support of and against evolution.

Subsection 1: Evidence against evolution of a theistic nature will not be given credence as a valid argument in the classroom.

Section 3: The discussion of creationism and other religiously based topics shall be permitted in social studies, ethics, and philosophy courses on the sole basis that they are treated as an unproven theory.

702G: A BILL TO REFORM CAMPAIGN FINANCE AND SPENDING

Sponsored by: Senator Simran Singh, Conestoga High School Senator Evan Snyder, Conestoga High School Representative Nikko Markakos, Conestoga High School Representative Chris Ferris, Conestoga High School

The current regulation of Super PACs is inadequate. Based upon the 2010 Citizens United case, corporations were recognized as people within the political process. This landmark ruling led to the creation of Super PACs. A Super PAC is a team that isn’t technically working for a specific candidate, but can still raise unlimited funds and garner support for that contender. Even though they are officially independent of the candidates, their backing of a single candidate is very clear, and their impact on the final election results very tangible. In some instances, past staff members of the candidates manage these “independent” committees. Although Super PACs were legalized after a landmark judgment by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2010, they seem to violate the spirit of law. The massive influx of money in elections due to Super PACs may result in donors being a more important factor in determining our next president than the candidate’s ability to lead our nation, even though a candidate’s merits should weigh more than his campaign’s wealth.

74 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Whereas: 1,289 groups organized as Super PACs reported total receipts of $688,814,955 and total independent expenditures of $344,172,141 in the 2014 cycle, Whereas: In a system where money is critical to winning elections, this enormous amount of spending significantly factors into election results and must be regulated, Whereas: Super PACs are often associated with a single candidate’s election efforts though they are not explicitly tied to one another, Whereas: This regulation will create transparency and order, helping Americans better understand where money comes from in elections

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: Super PACs be brought under the jurisdiction of the Federal Election Commission and made to abide by existing federal election laws.

Subsection 1: Prior to raising funds, Super PACs be required to disclose all connections to the candidate or political party that individual organizers may have.

Subsection 2: Super PACs be held accountable for all spending through the submission of transparent expenditure reports.

Section 2: Super PACs be required to disclose their sources of funding within a week of any expenditure being made; this grace period would be reduced to every 24 hours in the weeks leading up to the primaries and general elections.

Subsection 1: Super PACs that run ads on television must list the top five “persons or entities” that contributed the most money to that specific PAC.

Section 3: A spending limit be imposed upon individual Super PACs that is proportional to the number of donors to that PAC, based on the individual candidate contribution limits for that election year. The most recent contribution limit for an individual donating to a singular candidate’s campaign is $2600. The amount of money that a Super PAC can spend is the number of donors multiplied by the individual spending cap of $2600.

703G: AN AMENDMENT TO REPEAL THE SECOND AMENDMENT OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION

Sponsored by: Senator Amy Abdalla, High Tech High School Senator Maria Villalobos, High Tech High School Representative Rangoli Mittal, High Tech High School Representative Samantha Darocha, High Tech High School

The second amendment of the United States constitution states that the right of people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. This right however has passed its era of efficiency. In a society with no need of militia and a armed well-trained army, the societal need of protection by the people is outdated, mistreated and unneeded. The widespread use of firearms only helps to spread violence amongst people and perpetuate a sense of fear and uncertainty. The concept of a civilian driven militia is even farther driven into obsoleteness by the technological advances of weapons that extend to bombs nuclear weapons and drones, therefore there is no need for this amendment hereafter.

Whereas: Of the more than 70 mass shootings in the United States in the last 30 years, about three-quarters of the guns used were obtained legally. Whereas: Close to 33,000 Americans were victims of gun-related deaths in 2011.

Be it amended by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: The second article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.

75 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Section 2: Those who have served in the armed forces have the right to own a gun.

Subsection 1: After each tour a member of the armed forces serves, they must immediately be psychologically evaluated before being able to once again operate their arms.

Section 3: Within the scope of employment those occupations that utilize firearms (police forces [state and federal], national guard, etc.) are given the right to carry and utilize firearms.

Subsection 1: Every twelve months, these individuals will receive ongoing training and physiological evaluations in order to continue to receive their right to carry and utilize firearms.

Subsection 2: After a member of any police force experiences near death, severe injury or any experience that could possibly cause psychological troubles, that member will immediately be psychologically evaluated before being able to once again carry and utilize firearms.

704G: A BILL TO BAN CONVERSION THERAPY

Sponsored by: Senator Rita Wang, John P. Stevens H.S. Representative Kimberly Chang, John P. Stevens H.S.

Conversion therapy has been shown to be ineffective in its attempts to change a patient’s gender identity or sexual orientation, and often, it is performed on unwilling youths whose parents requested it. While the parent may have the right to choose their child’s medical treatments, conversion therapy has been harmful, even fatal, for many LGBTQ+ youths. In the 1970s, Kirk Murphy was treated with conversion therapy since he had displayed feminine features, and his parents had a fear of him becoming gay. The treatment was published as a success, but Murphy did become gay in adulthood and experienced great psychological distress due to his conversion therapy treatment. Murphy attempted suicide around age 17 and actually did commit suicide at age 38. There was also the more recent suicide of Leelah Alcorn, (born Joshua Alcorn,) a transgender teen. While her parents’ actions more heavily impacted her depression and more directly led to her suicide, conversion therapy was a factor. She was taken to Christian therapists who, according to her suicide note, told her that she was “selfish and wrong and that [she] should look to God for help.” Conversion therapy merely causes one to one to feel terrible—depressed, hopeless, suicidal. Therapy is meant to help people, but conversion therapy does the exact opposite, harming its patients.

Whereas: Leading professional medical and mental health organizations in the United States have rejected conversion therapy as ineffective and dangerous. Whereas: Conversion therapy has led to depression and suicide. Whereas: California, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. have passed laws which ban conversion therapy and which have not been overturned.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: All licensed therapists in the United States of America and its territories shall be banned from practicing conversion therapy.

Subsection 1: Conversion therapy is any activity to change a person’s gender identity or sexual orientation.

Section 2: This bill shall be overseen by the National Institute of Mental Health.

Section 3: This bill shall go into effect immediately.

705G: A BILL TO MANDATE SMART TECHNOLOGY IN ALL NEWLY MANUFACTURED VEHICLES

Sponsored by: Senator Estephany Flamenco, Plainfield High School Representative Maria Ramirez, Plainfield High School

76 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Ever since vehicles have been in existence, we have always compromised safety for the commodity of transportation, which have led to tragic, sometimes fatal events. Now, thanks to technology growing at an exponential rate, we can develop and innovate vehicles that are autonomous. These vehicles have the potential to change the roads forever, to make roads safer for both passengers and pedestrians all around.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: With the enactment of this bill, automobile manufactures that produce or sell cars in the United States or whose cars are imported into the United States shall meet the following requirements.

Subsection 1: By 2017, all newly manufactured vehicles shall be required to include V2V wireless technology that shall enable automobiles to talk to one another, trade road safety data inclusive of speed and rate of speed.

Subsection 2: By 2018, all newly manufactured vehicles shall have rear view camera systems.

Subsection 3: By 2020, all newly manufactured vehicles shall include automatic braking systems technology.

Subsection 4: By 2030, all newly manufactured vehicles shall have autonomous navigation system that shall enable cars to self- drive.

Section 2: Congress shall have the power to enforce the terms of this bill by appropriate legislation.

Section 3: This bill will take effect March 1, 2016.

706G: A BILL TO INFORM SOCIAL NETWORK USERS OF THE UTILIZATION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

Sponsored by: Senator Loren Matelsky, Roxbury High School Representative Jackie Ennis, Roxbury High School Representative Sullivan Sharkey, Roxbury High School

As the current generation becomes more deeply active in the social networking sphere, many users are unaware of the implications of sharing personal information on the Internet. Additionally, social networking sites have the ability to secretly change privacy options without notifying users or by obscuring the new privacy policy by making it difficult to read or hard to find. Social networking sites also share user content with third party developers in order to increase revenue. This puts unknowing users, especially minors, at risk for identity theft, spam, and future complications with employers.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: Social networking sites will be required to uphold all privacy settings from the time the user subscribes to the site.

Subsection 1: When social networking sites update or change privacy setting options, the changes will apply only to users who subscribe after the time of the update.

Subsection 2: This will apply to all users who subscribe after the passing of this bill. All prior subscribers will maintain their current privacy options. Subsection 3: The social networking site will be responsible for keeping record of the varying privacy options for users.

Section 2: The social networking site must inform all new subscribers of the available privacy settings, possible corporate uses of the information they post, and potential security threats at the time of subscription.

Subsection 1: This includes informing users that, even after “deactivation” or “deletion” of their account, the information still exists on the Internet.

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Section 3: The addresses, cell phone numbers, and other personal information of subscribers cannot be made available to third-party developers without user consent.

Subsection 1: The default settings must be the opt-out option in all cases. Users may then choose to allow advertising cookies and opt for information to be shared.

Section 4: Any privacy settings set by users cannot be removed if the “layout” is updated or under any circumstances without consent of the user.

707G: A BILL TO REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS AND ENCOURAGE A SHIFT TO ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Sponsored by: Senator Arjun Ahluwalia, Rutgers Preparatory School Senator Rebekah Park, Rutgers Preparatory School Representative Michael Coiro, Rutgers Preparatory School

Whereas carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas emitted through human activities, and humans are altering the carbon cycle—both by adding more CO2 to the atmosphere and by influencing the ability of natural sinks, like forests, to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, and the combustion of fossil fuels to generate electricity is the largest single source of CO2 emissions in the nation, and combustion of fossil fuels to generate electricity is the largest single source of CO2 emissions in the nation, and many industrial processes emit CO2 through fossil fuel combustion, and combustion of natural gases releases a significantly less amount of CO2 than the combustion of fossil fuels, and last year the US produced 5425 million tons in Carbon emissions, and SO2 emissions from cap and trade Acid Rain Program sources have fallen from 17.3 million tons in 1980 to about 7.6 million tons in 2008.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: Reduce corn ethanol subsidies by 30% of what the total subsidy was in 2014; reduce fossil fuel subsidies by 40% of what they were in 2014

Subsection 1: Each successive year, the annual ethanol subsidy will be reduced by 30% of what it was last year until 2020

Subsection 2: Each successive year, the annual fossil fuel subsidy will be reduced by 40% of what it was last year until 2020

Subsection 3: Once the date of expiry is reached, enable the EPA to arbitrarily set subsidy

Section 2: Establish a federally enforced nationwide Carbon tax

Subsection 1: Set the tax $0.11 for each US gallon of gasoline, jet, and diesel fuel

Subsection 2: Set the tax $0.02 per kW used per Hertz of electricity (coal)

Section 3: In addition, establish an American Carbon Emissions Trading Program until the year of 2050; whereafter the EPA shall determine a renewed cap and trade price.

Subsection 1: Using tax revenue from cap and trade and carbon tax, subsidize alternative energy industries: Appropriate 20% (of annual Carbon emissions tax+allowance revenue) to Hydro, 30% to Wind, 50% to Solar.

Subsection 2: Let the EPA issue emissions allowances of $23 per ton of Carbon emitted. The EPA may alter the price according to inflation.

78 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Section 4: Using tax revenue from cap and trade and carbon tax, subsidize alternative energy industries: Appropriate 20% (of annual Carbon emissions tax+allowance revenue) to Hydro, 30% to Wind, 50% to Solar.

Section 5: This bill shall go into effect beginning January 1st, 2016.

708G: A BILL TO REQUIRE THAT CITIZENS OVER THE AGE OF 70 TO RETAKE THEIR DRIVING TESTS

Sponsored by: Senator Olivia Katz, St. John’s School Senator Samuel Barlia, St. John’s School Representative Luisa Baez, St. John’s School Representative Ivia Bou, St. John’s School Representative Stephan Riquelme, St. John’s School

A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study of 1995 FARS (Fatal Accident Reporting System) data reports that senior citizens are accounted for 13% of all traffic fatalities and 18% of all pedestrian fatalities. In addition, the fatality rate for drivers who are 85 and older is nine times higher than the fatality rate for drivers 25 through 69 years of age. As people get older, their ability to focus drops, their peripheral visions diminish, and their retinas become less sensitive to light. Although a person’s chronological age is not an absolute predictor of driving ability, its impact should not be denied. If the federal government funds for any road system in a state then the federal government has the power to mandate national driving standards and restrictions on that road. California is a state that has been working to address this problem. It requires all drivers over 70 years of age to retest if they are involved in two or more crashes in one year. If someone does not meet the expectations on the road, they should have to retest. Having elderly people retake a driving test is not an act meant to offend an elder for his or her driving ability, but rather re-ensuring the safety on roads and keeping communities safe.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: If drivers 70 and older are involved in two or more crashes per year, then they must retake the driving test.

Section 2: If any physical examination shows that a driver who is 70 years of age or older is not in an optimal physical condition, the physician or doctor must require his or her patient to retake the driving test

Section 3: The government may place restrictions on a driver even if a person passed their physical examinations and their driving tests.

Subsection 1: Restrictions include nighttime driving, requirement of additional mirrors on the vehicle, and limiting the radius in which a person may drive. The radius will be determined depending on the conditions of the zones in which the driver will be driving in.

Subsection 2: Restrictions will be determined based on the driver’s medical examination results for eyesight and mobility.

79 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX

SENATE & HOUSE H

801H: A BILL TO REFORM THE 1033 PROGRAM Sponsored by: Senator Kevin Barry, Bergen County Academies Senator Christina Rymond, Bergen County Academies Representative Tarek Mohammed, Bergen County Academies Representative Olivia Vladyka, Bergen County Academies Representative Danny Yim, Bergen County Academies

802H: A BILL TO ESTABLISH MINIMUM PAID AND UNPAID MATERNITY/PATERNITY LEAVE Sponsored by: Senator Jennifer Hom, Biotechnology H.S. Senator Gabrielle Granata, Biotechnology H.S. Representative Aakansha Kumar, Biotechnology H.S.

803H: A BILL TO DECREASE THE AMOUNT OF HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP IN SODA Sponsored by: Senator Kele Alfred-Igbokwe, George School Senator Maanav Patel, George School Representative Liliana af Geiferstam-Lindberg, George School Representative William Street, George School

804H: AN AMENDMENT TO REMOVE THE POSITION OF VICE PRESIDENT FROM THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT Sponsored by: Senator Ian Baum, Marlboro H.S. Senator Philip Luo, Marlboro H.S. Representative Evan Choy, Marlboro H.S. Representative Gabriel Argush, Marlboro H.S.

805H: A BILL TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF TREES CUT AND OR BURNED DOWN Sponsored by: Senator Shunrang Chin, Mindszenty H.S. Representative Dorian Titiml, Xavier H.S.

806H: A BILL TO PROTECT ONLINE PRIVACY Sponsored by: Senator Shama Vaidya, South Brunswick H.S. Senator Josh Bambulkar, South Brunswick H.S. Representative Hajar Habib, South Brunswick H.S. Representative Caitlyn Fontana, South Brunswick H.S. Representative Anagha Kalelkar, South Brunswick H.S.

807H: A BILL TO PROTECT VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT IN THE MILITARY Sponsored by: Senator Kerryn MacMichael, South Jersey Chapter Senator Tina DiStefano, South Jersey Chapter Representative Jamilyn Donaldson, South Jersey Chapter Representative Annabelle Ford, South Jersey Chapter

808H: A BILL TO REQUIRE A LICENSED PSYCHIATRIST TO BE ASSIGNED TO EVALUATE STUDENTS PER SCHOOL DISTRICT Sponsored by: Senator Jeana M. Edney, St. Joseph Catholic H.S. Representative Raeniqua Victorine, Charlotte Amalie H.S.

80 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX 801H: A BILL TO REFORM THE 1033 PROGRAM

Sponsored By: Senator Kevin Barry, Bergen County Academies Senator Christina Rymond, Bergen County Academies Representative Tarek Mohammed, Bergen County Academies Representative Olivia Vladyka, Bergen County Academies Representative Danny Yim, Bergen County Academies

The Department of Defense’s 1033 Program, also called the Excess Property Program, was implemented as a way to give excess military equipment to local law enforcement agencies. In the light of recent military conflict in Afghanistan and Iraq, there has been a surge of military surplus coming back into the Department of Defense. The distribution of military vehicles and surplus has met heavy opposition due to increasing concern over police militarization. From 1997 until the present, $5.1 billion in military grade supplies was transferred from the Department of Defense to local American law enforcement agencies, material worth approximately $449 million dollars was given in 2013 alone. Records of procurements via this program are not available to the public. The Defense Logistics Agency shields the requests from the public for security reasons, and the lack of transparency has caused suspicion of the program being misused. Recently the law enforcement in Currituck, North Carolina, a town with a population of 25,000 and a relatively low crime rate, has acquired a MAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) Vehicle. There is no need for a machine commonly used in wars to be active in a domestic environment with a low crime rate. Instead of distributing military equipment to police agencies in the U.S., excess surplus such as this MRAP will be sold or loaned to the militaries of allied countries. The present program creates distrust between the police and the community and deescalating the program will be an analysis of how the police are equipped and trained to serve and protect Americans.

Whereas: In dozens of drug searching and street protesting scenarios over recent years, the use of materials such as mine proof vehicles and grenade launchers have caused police activity to be seen as warlike actions rather than ways to keep communities safe, creating tension between police and citizens. Whereas: Highly armed police interactions have caused unnecessary property damage and civilian casualties.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: Materials received by law enforcement must be non-lethal. This includes items such as flashlights, sleeping bags, sand bags, cold weather clothing, and medical supplies. Semi-automatic weapons and ammunition would be exempt.

Section 2: The military equipment given to law enforcement agencies will be considered based upon criminal precedence of the surrounding area. Population, history of civil unrest, and crime rates of the local area will be taken into account. Specifically, the transfer of automatic weapons, grenade launchers, and Armored Personnel Carriers will be heavily regulated by the Department of Defense.

Section 3: All police departments receiving military surplus equipment must issue a yearly government report on their maintenance and usage history.

Subsection 1: Lack of documentation is punishable by confiscation of surplus materials or the department becoming unable to apply for more materials.

Section 4: Any leftover military surplus will be sold or given to allied nations. For example, the Republic of Korea received 298,450 M1 Garand Rifles from the U.S. government in 1950-1953/1964-1974. These rifles are still being used in small numbers, but most of the rifles have either been returned to the U.S. or scrapped.

Subsection 1: These transactions must be directly from the United States military to the other government involved.

Subsection 2: Countries not considered allies of the United States are exempt from surplus transfer programs.

Subsection 3: Countries that are allies of the United States but have conducted a wrongdoing against the country will be placed on a probationary period of no less than 1 year. After such time, terms of this transfer program will be renegotiated.

81 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX

802H: A BILL TO ESTABLISH MINIMUM PAID AND UNPAID MATERNITY/PATERNITY LEAVE

Sponsored by: Senator Jennifer Hom, Biotechnology H.S. Senator Gabrielle Granata, Biotechnology H.S. Representative Aakansha Kumar, Biotechnology H.S.

Paid maternity and paternity leave (employee-protected leave of absence for employed women and men at around the time of childbirth, adoption, or placing a child in foster care) have become standard in most countries. The United States of America remains the only industrialized country in the world to not guarantee paid maternity or paternity leave. Even though paid family leave laws are enacted in a few states, the United States' Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) only guarantees 12 unpaid weeks of maternity and paternity leave. This act only applies to eligible employees working under covered employers. Not all private companies fulfill the coverage qualifications, so these employers are not required to give their employees any leave. Furthermore, employee eligibility qualifications are only able to be met by a select number of people; not every employee is given the opportunity to take leave and care for their families.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: Employers must offer a maternity leave of a minimum of 18 weeks for its expectant female employees.

Subsection 1: Employees on maternity leave will receive 12 weeks of paid leave and 6 weeks of unpaid leave.

Section 2: Employers must offer a paid paternity leave of 3 weeks for its male employees.

Section 3: Employers are to pay employees on leave at least 75% of their original pay during paid leave periods.

Subsection 1: Employees on leave cannot be paid less than the minimum wage.

Section 4: This bill applies to all employees of companies and businesses operating in American territories.

Subsection 1: All private-sector employers are required to comply with this bill, regardless of size.

Subsection 2: All government agencies are required to comply with this bill.

Section 5: Contractors will receive a shorter leave than company employees: 10 weeks paid and 2 weeks unpaid.

Section 6: Eligible employees must have worked for the employer for at least 1,200 hours in 12 months.

Section 7: Under no circumstances can an employee be denied professional opportunities or pay as a consequence for taking maternity/paternity leave.

Subsection 1: Employee’s job cannot be put at risk should he/she decide to accept paternity/maternity leave.

Subsection 2: Upon an employee’s return to work, he/she must be assigned to his/her original position or one equal to it.

803H: A BILL TO DECREASE THE AMOUNT OF HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP IN SODA

Sponsored by: Senator Kele Alfred-Igbokwe, George School Senator Maanav Patel, George School Representative Liliana af Geiferstam-Lindberg, George School Representative William Street, George School

Soft drinks today contain a large amount of high fructose corn syrup to replace natural sugar. This unhealthy substitute is what has caused the amount obesity in America to rise to be one third of the population, making the US

82 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX number eight on the list of countries with the highest amount of obese people. A decrease in the amount of high-fructose corn syrup in soft drinks would be beneficial to the health of the populace.

Whereas: The average American consumes 50 gallons of soda and other sweetened beverages containing high fructose corn syrup each year. Whereas: High fructose corn syrup is a contributor of obesity in America. Whereas: Soda, in some stores, is less expensive than water.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: Soft Drink companies should decrease the amount of fructose in the High Fructose Corn Syrup mixture to below 40% in sodas from the current normality of 55%.

Section 2: The implementation of a tax on companies that use higher amounts of high fructose corn syrup in the manufacturing of their soda.

Section 3: Any and all companies found to be using above the amount of HFCS mentioned in section 1, will have manufacturing shut down for some time. They will be allowed to reopen, however, they will be subjugated to unannounced inspections from the US Food and Drug Administration to make sure that they are keeping in line with the regulations set forth.

804H: AN AMENDMENT TO REMOVE THE POSITION OF VICE PRESIDENT FROM THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Sponsored by: Senator Ian Baum, Marlboro H.S. Senator Philip Luo, Marlboro H.S. Representative Evan Choy, Marlboro H.S. Representative Gabriel Argush, Marlboro H.S.

“Throughout the history of our nation, the role of the Vice President has proven to be insignificant” - John Adams. According to the United States Constitution, the powers of the office of the Vice Presidency are limited to casting the tie-breaking vote in the Senate. John Adams, the first Vice President of the United States, rarely found himself even living in the capital because he was rarely called upon in the Senate. Over the course of the present Constitution of the United States, the office of the Vice President has been left vacant 16 times, proving that the seat of the Vice President is unnecessary. Furthermore, a President’s running mate has often had undue influence on Presidential elections. The office of the Vice Presidency is a figurehead position with little legislative merit, and the costs of its existence outweigh the benefits.

Be it amended by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: The office of the Vice Presidency shall be removed from the Presidential line of succession and abolished.

Subsection 1: In the event of illness, death, or resignation of the President, the President will determine beforehand which of the following two individuals shall become President on an interim or long term basis: The Speaker of the House of Representatives or the House Minority Leader.

Section 2: The President may change who he/she would wish to succeed them to any of the two aforementioned individuals at any given time.

Section 3: The tiebreaking vote in the Senate shall be casted by the President of the United States.

Section 4: This shall take effect January 1, 2017.

805H: A BILL TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF TREES CUT AND OR BURNED DOWN

Sponsored by: Senator Shunrang Chin, Mindszenty H.S.

83 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Representative Dorian Titiml, Xavier H.S.

Trees play a significant role in our lives. A study shows that, as of 2014, 900 million trees are being cut/burned down every year, which means that every day, 2.7 million trees are being cut/burned down. Trees help prevent global warming by taking in the filthy carbon dioxide and giving us the oxygen that we need in order to survive. Moreover, trees help keep our soil clean by absorbing dangerous chemicals and pollutants that have entered the soil, and they also prevent soil erosion. With these cutting and burning down of trees, it does not only affect the U.S. but also its neighboring countries such as the Pacific Islands. According to Climate Scientist, Pacific Islands are the victims of industrial countries who unable and/or unwilling to control their carbon dioxide emissions. Studies continue to draw attention to the considerable impact of global warming on food security on these islands. Reducing the number of trees being cut or burned down, we would be creating positive conditions to combat global warming.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: Every state must issue a permit to a person cutting or burning down more than three trees a day.

Section 2: Every state is permitted to cut/burn down 250 trees or less per day.

Section 3: Every person cutting/burning down more than three trees a day should have a permit issued by the appropriate agency in their state and a permission slip written and signed by the owner of the land.

Section 4: Any person who cuts/burns down the limited number of trees in which the agency allowed them to, must replace them with two additional trees.

Section 5: Any person who violates this act will pay a fine of $500 on the first offense, $1,500 on the second offense, and $2,500 with or without imprisonment, for no more than 9 months.

Section 6: Any state that violates this act will pay a fine to the federal government of $10,000 on the first offense, $20,000 on the second offense, and upon the third offense, the privilege of cutting trees will be revoked.

806H: A BILL TO PROTECT ONLINE PRIVACY

Sponsored by: Senator Shama Vaidya, South Brunswick H.S. Senator Josh Bambulkar, South Brunswick H.S. Representative Hajar Habib, South Brunswick H.S. Representative Caitlyn Fontana, South Brunswick H.S. Representative Anagha Kalelkar, South Brunswick H.S.

In the year 2010, 68% of American homes had a home broadband connection. In 2013, approximately 94% of Americans had reliable access to broadband networks. An expeditious corresponding growth thus indicates a greater need for online privacy rights to be protected. However, it is currently a commonplace practice for Internet-based companies, especially social networking websites, to purchase and sell user information for profit, regardless of whether the user is aware of these transactions. This practice, while beneficial to these companies, infringes on the Fourth Amendment right of the American people “to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects”, which can be currently interpreted as the rights of the people to be able to give permission for their personal information to be sold and to view transparent records of the organizations to which their information has been sold.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: No later than one year following the date of the enactment of this bill, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), along with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), shall enact regulations that require.

Subsection 1: Any entity that owns a website or other online service to receive a court order or government approval in order to obtain personal information, other than users’ names, about the users of its website or service if the users do not consent. Entities must also explicitly disclose, in concise

84 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX layman’s terms, the information described in Section (2) to any consumer that consents to the collection and transmission of personal information.

Subsection 2: Any entity that owns a website or other online service to obtain the express consent of the consumer prior to the collection and transmission of the user's information, and provide a consumer who has consented to collection and transmission of information with the opportunity at any time to prohibit further collection and transmission of information by such software.

Section 2: Any entity that owns a website or other online service must disclose to all consenting users specific information explaining the use of their personal details.

Subsection 1: The entity must state the fact that the software downloaded by the consumer has the capability to monitor the usage of a remote device or the location of the user and to transmit the information collected to another device or system, which will from now on be referred to as monitoring software.

Subsection 2: The entity must explicitly disclose, in concise layman’s terms, the types of information that the monitoring software is capable of collecting and transmitting and how such information will be used.

Subsection 3: The entity sharing user information must disclose the third parties to whom the information is being shared.

Section 3: Any existing entity that is required to disclose this information to its users must file a copy of the described information with the FTC no later than one year following the enactment of this bill. If a website or other online service is created after the enactment of this bill, its owner must file this information with the FTC no later than six months following the website’s creation.

Section 4: If the above requirements are not met by the owner of a website or other online service, then the entity shall be subject to a fine of $10,000. If the violation leads to the personal or economic injury of a user, then the user may bring an appropriate State court or an appropriate United States district court an action to enjoin the violation or an action to recover damages for actual monetary loss from such violation, or to receive up to $1,000 in damages for each such violation.

807H: A BILL TO PROTECT VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT IN THE MILITARY

Sponsored by: Senator Kerryn MacMichael, South Jersey Chapter Senator Tina DiStefano, South Jersey Chapter Representative Jamilyn Donaldson, South Jersey Chapter Representative Annabelle Ford, South Jersey Chapter

The common procedure for reporting sexual abuse in today’s military is to bring cases to the victim’s commander. However, because of various factors such as the commander’s personal interests and lack of training, many victims either hide their abuse or are not properly represented by the court system. In 2014, an estimate of over 40,000 cases of unwanted sexual contact in the military occurred, yet only 5,983 of those cases were reported. According to the 2013 Statutory Report 62% of victims who reported a sexual assault indicated that they received professional, social, and or administrative retaliation. In this bill, charges of sexual assault defined under section 920 of chapter 47 of title 10 in the United States Code (article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice) shall be amended to eliminate the chain of command’s power in unwanted sexual contact cases. Instead, the jurisdiction to court martial cases will be given to a Judge Advocate General (JAG). Also, commanders within the victim’s chain of command will not have the power to dismiss or modify charges found during investigation or trial. Eliminating the chain of command in cases of sexual assault will help to create a safe environment for victims who wish to report cases of assault.

Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

85 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Section 1: The commanding officer of a victim of sexual assault defined under article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice is no longer granted jurisdiction for overseeing the report, investigation, or trial.

Subsection 1: Victims of sexual assault are no longer required to report these assaults to their commander.

Subsection 2: The commander of the victim or the accused may not dismiss or modify any charges found during investigation or trial.

Section 2: A Judge Advocate General may convene a court martial.

Subsection 1: A Judge Advocate General may convene a court martial only if the charges match those under article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Section 3: Records of sexual assault must be permanently retained for the victim and the accused.

808H: A BILL TO REQUIRE A LICENSED PSYCHIATRIST TO BE ASSIGNED TO EVALUATE STUDENTS PER SCHOOL DISTRICT

Sponsored by: Senator Jeana M. Edney, St. Joseph Catholic H.S. Representative Raeniqua Victorine, Charlotte Amalie H.S.

A recurring trend in modern day American high schools are school shootings and student suicides. Many of the problems striking up these actions are altercations rooted in the classroom. Students undergo relentless teasing for their sexual orientation and religious denomination. Providing a psychiatrist to each school district will allow school officials to monitor the behavior of students causing problems and of students being harmed.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: In each classroom from Grades 7 through 12, a psychiatrist licensed in the United States of America will be assigned to monitor the behaviors that may be bullying or teasing, and the trends of that group of students.

Section 2: School district psychiatrists will meet with parents of each student at the beginning of the school year--the first Monday of August--to better understand the background and home environment of each student. This will give a gist into the makeup and diversity of the class.

Section 3: On Fridays of each week, each district's psychiatrist will summarize and write a thorough summary of all observed altercations and rifts within the classroom. This will be an accurate notation to identify the troublemakers in each classroom, in the case a situation may arise.

Section 4: At the end of the school year--the last week of June--all reports will be assessed and necessary changes will be made to better the learning and social environment within the classroom.

86 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX

SENATE & HOUSE I

901I: A BILL TO REFORM THE DESIGNATION OF NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION FOR LEGAL CLASSIFICATION Sponsored by: Senator Matthew Jones, Marlboro H.S. Senator Arjun Sinha, Marlboro H.S. Representative Mohamed Elrais, Marlboro H.S. Representative Roshni Hariharan, Marlboro H.S. Representative Siddharth Sheth, Marlboro H.S.

902I: A BILL TO MAKE IT ILLEGAL TO PURCHASE POLITICAL INFLUENCE, THEREBY PUTTING POWER BACK IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE Sponsored by: Senator Liza Milov, Ocean City H.S. Senator Nick Eisele, Ocean City H.S. Representative Travis Longstaff, Ocean City H.S. Representative Taylor Barth, Ocean City H.S. Representative Elisa Martinez, Ocean City H.S.

903I: A BILL TO END THE USAGE OF PENCILS IN SCHOOLS Sponsored by: Senator Neha Shah, Parsippany Hills H.S. Senator John Sincak, Parsippany Hills H.S. Representative Katie DeMottie, Parsippany Hills H.S. Representative Jayna Patel, Parsippany Hills H.S.

904I: A BILL TO ALLOW PROFANITY ON ALL PRIMETIME CHANNELS AFTER 9 PM Sponsored by: Senator Rolando Martinez, Plainfield H.S. Senator Katherine Rivera, Plainfield H.S. Representative Madlynn Lartey, Plainfield H.S.

905I: A BILL TO ALLOW PHYSICIAN ASSISTED SUICIDE FOR THE TERMINALLY ILL Sponsored by: Senator Maria Gigante, Secaucus H.S. Senator Victoria Saniko, Secaucus H.S. Representative Maryel Cardenas, Secaucus H.S. Representative Mariam Said, Secaucus H.S.

906I: A BILL TO SOLIDIFY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DIGITAL CURRENCIES Sponsored by: Senator Ethan Dean, Good Hope Country Day School Representative Ericson Etienne, Good Hope Country Day School

907I: A BILL TO REMOVE THE FEDERAL BAN ON SPORTS BETTING Sponsored by: Senator Henry Zhu, Watchung Hills Regional H.S. Representative Matt Hunt, Watchung Hills Regional H.S. Representative Tim Cardona, Watchung Hills Regional H.S.

908I: A BILL TO REFORM THE PRIVATE PRISON INDUSTRY Sponsored by: Senator Charlie Doran, Wilberforce School Senator Titus Reyes, Wilberforce School Representative Analeisa D'Alessio, Wilberforce School Representative Emeline Summer, Wilberforce School Representative Katie Dang, Wilberforce School

87 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX

901I: A BILL TO REFORM THE DESIGNATION OF NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION FOR LEGAL CLASSIFICATION

Sponsored by: Senator Matthew Jones, Marlboro H.S. Senator Arjun Sinha, Marlboro H.S. Representative Mohamed Elrais, Marlboro H.S. Representative Roshni Hariharan, Marlboro H.S. Representative Siddharth Sheth, Marlboro H.S.

The primary objective of charities is to give humanitarian aid to those who need it. A charity given the designation of a Non-Profit Organization (NPO) allows them to accomplish this goal easier by being allowed certain tax exemptions and special privileges. However, some NPOs use these privileges not to increase the benefits they can give, but instead to increase personal profits. It is for this reason explicitly, the complete disregard of the true purpose of an NPO, that produces a problem; a problem that this bill will strive to eradicate entirely. To give insight into the wealth of corruption in the current system, up to 23% of the profits earned by certain NPO’s can go to solicitors and Chief Executive Officers. By changing the prerequisites to become an NPO, and by reforming the requirements to retain that status, millions of donated dollars will be used for their intended purposes of helping those in need instead of going into the pockets of the selfish wealthy. By reforming the legal classifications of NPOs, the organizations that siphon money from the public and keep it for themselves will be weeded out which in turn will feed to the true cause of Non-Profit Organizations: helping those in need. Over the past decade, these charities have relied on deception to generate more than $1.3 billion in donations. About 75% went to pay charity executives and the solicitors who raise the donations. In recent history, many charities have distorted the amount money they claimed to have sent towards the causes they represent, therefore creating an unsettling uncertainty to the majority of the populous to where their money is actually going.

Whereas: The regulation on federal titans has been extremely minimal which shows favoritism towards wealthy individuals and lack of government action, allowing these “NPO’s” to alter rules for personal benefit. Whereas: Reforming Non-Profit Organizations will reduce the use of donation money as personal profit; eradicating corrupt organizations will eliminate competition for other NPO’s. Whereas: The profit that certain individuals make off of embezzling money in the realm of Non-Profit Organizations, does not aid in improving the national economy, but only benefits those specific individuals.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: Legal classification of Non-Profit Organization will only be given to charities that adhere to the established prerequisites and requirements of the 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Subsection 1: If the organization does not follow these requirements, they will be revoked of their 501(c)(3) status.

Subsection 2: If an organization uses the funds in a way not germane, they are required by law to send payment equal to the donations to its intended recipients.

Section 2: Investigating already standing NPO’s will have to adhere to intense annual regulatory checks for embezzlement scandals, money laundering, as well as other corrupt monetary actions.

Subsection 1: If the organization does not comply with the annual checks the establishment of the organization shall be ceased by the government.

Subsection 2: If the organization is found to not be meeting regulatory standards, all revenue will be taken and distributed evenly to its cause by the government.

Section 3: Pre-existing Non-Profit Organizations must annually relicense their right to ask for donations and fundraise and must meet the stipulations that are laid out.

88 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Subsection 1: If the organizations fail to relicense, NPO’s special privileges will be revoked and a penalty fine will be collected.

Subsection 2: If the organization does not meet a minimum of 50% of the requirements for relicensing, they cannot apply for a license until the following year and extra payment.

902I: A BILL TO MAKE IT ILLEGAL TO PURCHASE POLITICAL INFLUENCE, THEREBY PUTTING POWER BACK IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE

Sponsored by: Senator Liza Milov, Ocean City H.S. Senator Nick Eisele, Ocean City H.S. Representative Travis Longstaff, Ocean City H.S. Representative Taylor Barth, Ocean City H.S. Representative Elisa Martinez, Ocean City H.S.

There is rampant corruption within the legislative branch of the United States of America government. Power has been transferred from the people to large corporations and wealthy individuals, which goes against the original intent of the Constitution: to create a government for the people by the people. By attempting to decrease unfair political influence, this bill will increase political efficacy and cause representatives to return to representing their constituents. The average citizen’s interests would be equal to those of the corporations.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: Members of Congress will be prohibited from raising funds from the special interests that they regulate.

Section 2: Individual citizens will be empowered to become the primary funders of federal elections through the creation of an annual tax rebate of $100 that registered voters can use to make contributions to the federal candidates of political parties.

Section 3: Members of Congress will be required to disclose on a monthly basis how much time they spend engaging in fundraising while the Congress is still in session.

Section 4: Federal candidates will be required to disclose the names of individuals who “bundle” contributions for the Member or candidate, regardless of whether they are registered lobbyists or not.

Section 5: A bipartisan, bicameral task force in Congress will be established to fix the shortcomings of the Federal Election Commission and give prosecutors more power to regulate, as well as examine the IRS’s enforcement of regulations.

903I: A BILL TO END THE USAGE OF PENCILS IN SCHOOLS

Sponsored by: Senator Neha Shah, Parsippany Hills H.S. Senator John Sincak, Parsippany Hills H.S. Representative Katie DeMottie, Parsippany Hills H.S. Representative Jayna Patel, Parsippany Hills H.S.

Approximately 2 billion pencils are produced each year, which represents 82,000 trees being cut down. In schools across the country, kids are indirectly taught that mistakes in life mirror the mistakes they make when writing. In this day and age, it is imperative to not only stop harming the environment and society, but to improve it as well. Pens also tend to last significantly longer than the average pencil. Pencils, therefore, are an unnecessary tool in more aspects than one. If children are instead pushed to write with pens, they will think before they write and thus write with greater conviction. Moreover, companies selling pencils will be influenced to halt the production of the harmful writing implements and begin producing benign ones, such as pens, which can easily be recycled when drained of ink.

Whereas: Production of wooden pencils participate in the deterioration of forests.

89 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Whereas: Children will learn to write with conviction which will instill confidence early in life. Whereas: Children will absorb the message that life’s mistakes cannot simply be erased. Whereas: Banning pencils encourages the regurgitation of pre-prepared, brainstormed answers.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: Pencils are prohibited in all schools with grades K-12.

Subsection 1: Art institutions and art classes provided by schools are exempt.

Subsection 2: Pencils may be handed out by a teacher when using Scantron for testing as long as no other computerized option is available.

Section 2: A committee will be formed to regulate the ban.

Subsection 1: They will be given the title “Supreme Pencil Prohibitors”.

Subsection 2: They will conduct surprise inspections of schools across the country.

Subsection 3: The committee will consist of people who either resemble children of such age group or are midgets that can easily infiltrate schools.

Section 3: Any school found using pencils in classrooms will be fined $1000.00 for each offense.

Subsection 1: The third offense will result in a charge of arson.

Section 4: This bill will go into effect one school year after its passage.

904I: A BILL TO ALLOW PROFANITY ON ALL PRIMETIME CHANNELS AFTER 9 PM

Sponsored by: Senator Rolando Martinez, Plainfield H.S. Senator Katherine Rivera, Plainfield H.S. Representative Madlynn Lartey, Plainfield H.S.

We are entitled to freedom of speech by our 1st Amendment right. Social morals and attitudes have changed radically in the past 50 years, necessitating a change in federal profanity regulations. This results in the need for a balance in censorship and free speech. One may argue that children may be damaged by the grotesque and obscene material on television, which is why it will only be allowed between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: This bill will alter all Federal Communications Commission regulations and programs designed to regulate and assess penalties for the use of profanity after 9 p.m. on all electronic media including, cable television, radio, and broadcast.

Subsection 1: With the enactment of this bill, the penalties for airing profanity will not apply between 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Section 2: Should profanity appear on electronic media before 9 p.m. said network will be fined as stipulated by existing FCC regulations.

Section 3: Congress shall have the power to enforce the terms of this bill by appropriate legislation.

Section 4: This will bill take effect on April 21st 2016.

90 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX 905I: A BILL TO ALLOW PHYSICIAN ASSISTED SUICIDE FOR THE TERMINALLY ILL

Sponsored by: Senator Maria Gigante, Secaucus H.S. Senator Victoria Saniko, Secaucus H.S. Representative Maryel Cardenas, Secaucus H.S. Representative Mariam Said, Secaucus H.S.

Euthanasia is defined as "the act of bringing about the death of a hopelessly ill and suffering person in a relatively quick and painless way for reasons of mercy". The Constitution guarantees the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; as a result, people who are suffering and feel that they will be happier ending their life because of a terminal illness, should be allowed to consider physician assisted suicide or euthanasia as an option. Based on a recent study, 57% of practicing physicians get a request to perform a physician-assisted suicide. By legalizing this, you will be allowing people who are suffering to end their life. Why should someone who is terminally ill suffer when they are going to shortly die?

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: All terminally ill patients over 18 years of age that have 6 months or less to live can choose to end their life.

Section 2: All physicians who have two verbal and one written request for physician-assisted suicide, can perform euthanasia.

Subsection 1: In order to perform euthanasia or physician assisted suicide, a physician must attend a certified Department of Health course informing the individual on the medical and legal ramifications of euthanasia or physician assisted suicide, as well as the proper methods with which the procedure is to be performed. The course is will be optional and free of charge.

906I: A BILL TO SOLIDIFY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DIGITAL CURRENCIES

Sponsored by: Senator Ethan Dean, Good Hope Country Day School Representative Ericson Etienne, Good Hope Country Day School

In 2009, Satoshi Nakamoto introduced Bitcoin, the world's first decentralized digital crypto currency. Similar to cash, Bitcoin is a fiduciary currency with no intrinsic value. Bitcoin was initially adopted due to its security features. Bitcoin protects the identity of the users and is made so that it is hard to steal. It allows online anonymous transactions and its open source nature allows for new crypto currencies–altcoins, to be made using the Bitcoin source code. Because Bitcoin is decentralized, it can be used for international transactions without having to go through currency exchanges. Bitcoin also adjusts for inflation. Its price and usage rose dramatically in late 2013. In 2014, one Bitcoin averaged at about $400.

Major online retailers such as Overstock.com, Newegg,com, and Dell.com started to accept Bitcoin as alternative payment systems. In mid 2014, Benjamin Lawsky, a superintendent for New York's Department of Financial Services, proposed the BitLicense plan, which requires all companies doing business with anyone in New York to be in possession of a BitLicense. Companies would be required to record the names and addresses of their customers using Bitcoin, and would need to report any activity involving Bitcoins worth $10,000 or more. Such regulations prohibit the creation of any new crypto currencies, making Bitcoin the only legal crypto currency. These laws would stop technological advancements of crypto currencies, make global trade using cryptocurrencies more difficult, and would negate the fundamental spirit of secure, anonymous currencies. As crypto currencies continue to advance, they could prove to be an essential option for all online consumers. Crypto currency must be allowed to develop, and as a decentralized entity, governments should not obstruct it.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: No restrictions will be placed on transactions using an alternative digital currency.

Subsection 1: Activities using alternative digital currencies will not be blocked due to the monetary value of the activity.

91 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX

Section 2: No regulations hindering the nature of digital currencies will be put in place.

Subsection 1: No regulations will be placed on digital currencies that will compromise the identity of the user.

Subsection 2: No regulations will be placed on digital currencies that will compromise the security of a crypto currency system.

Subsection 3: No user of any alternative online currency will require a license to use the alternative digital currency in any circumstance.

Subsection 4: No regulation will be placed on the creation of new alternative digital currencies.

907I: A BILL TO REMOVE THE FEDERAL BAN ON SPORTS BETTING Sponsored by: Senator Henry Zhu, Watchung Hills Regional High School Representative Matt Hunt, Watchung Hills Regional High School Representative Tim Cardona, Watchung Hills Regional High School

The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 was designed to ban sports betting in all but four states (Nevada, Delaware, Oregon, and Montana), whose legislatures approved sports betting before a 1991 deadline. As a result, state governments and citizens in the remaining 46 states are legally prohibited “to sponsor, operate, advertise, promote, license, or authorize… a gambling or wagering scheme.... on one or more competitive games in which amateur or professional athletes participate.” Currently, state governments and its legislatures regulate most gambling activities. However, gambling involving sports competitions has since 1991 been a banned activity monitored by the U.S. Department of Justice, despite the fact that no serious abuses have occurred that have threatened the integrity of the game. In Nevada, part of the 4 states exempted from the 1991 bill, gross revenues in 2012 from legal sports wagering exceeded 170 million dollars. These numbers shy in comparison when research suggests that legal sports wagering accounts for less than 1% of the total amount of money placed in largely illegal fashion that is unregulated by the government. Meanwhile, states such as New Jersey are seeking ways to improve their struggling casino and horseracing industries and believe that the revenues generated by sports betting can significantly boost these enterprises. Under the 10th Amendment, gambling is not a role that the federal government should be constitutionally permitted to enforce, so it is time for states to be given full jurisdiction over sports betting and for experienced state gambling departments to handle the operation of this revenue- generating, safe, and already practiced activity.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: The provisions under the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act be removed from federal law.

Subsection 1: The governments of all fifty states and U.S. Territories will be granted exclusive jurisdiction over the entire operation and regulation of sports betting.

Subsection 2: The federal government shall have no authority in determining the legality of sports betting in all fifty states and territories and cannot impact the decision of state legislatures in their decisions to uphold or repeal the state ban on sports betting after the passage of this law.

Subsection 3: By definition, the operation of sports betting activities will remain prohibited if a state legislature has not chosen to take action upon this matter. However, all regulatory enforcement will be handled by the approved state departments as mentioned below.

Section 2: All future regulation, management, lawsuits, and maintenance over gambling activities related to professional or amateur sports be transferred to the office of the Governor for all 50 states and territories.

Subsection 1: The Gaming Commissions and/or Gambling Agencies of the Office of the Attorney General for each state government (i.e. Division of Gaming Enforcement of New Jersey, Texas Gaming

92 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Commission) will assume the full responsibilities previously given to the U.S. Department of Justice in regards to the maintenance and monitoring of state sports betting laws.

Section 3: Jurisdiction over all federal cases or lawsuits related to the legality of sports betting be dropped immediately from the appellate and lower federal courts of the United States.

Subsection 1: The judicial departments of all 50 state and territorial governments will assume the full responsibilities previously given to the U.S. Supreme Court and its lower courts in regards to the jurisdiction and interpretation of state sports betting laws.

Section 4: The enforcement and monitoring over sports betting by the U.S. Department of Justice be terminated after January 1, 2016, excluding criminal cases related to sports betting that violate federal law.

Section 5: This law will be effective immediately on January 1, 2016.

908I: A BILL TO REFORM THE PRIVATE PRISON INDUSTRY

Sponsored by: Senator Charlie Doran, Wilberforce School Senator Titus Reyes, Wilberforce School Representative Analeisa D'Alessio, Wilberforce School Representative Emeline Summer, Wilberforce School Representative Katie Dang, Wilberforce School

Great good can come out of private prisons; they have the potential to contribute to rehabilitation and serve justice as any American prison is tasked with doing. The primary benefit is economic competition: private industries competing for government contracts will drive the quality up and the prices down. In addition, well-run privatized prisons can also try new methods to improve prisons, and they can test new incarceration philosophies that help to rehabilitate inmates. The labor that the prisoners are assigned as part of their daily routine has the potential to teach certain specialized skills for use after release, which helps to prevent recidivism and sends productive, skilled citizens back into the workforce. However, as in any private corporations, there are flaws caused by the incentive to make a profit. This bill will make private prisons more effective and responsible by imposing helpful regulations and subsidizing certain costs to create healthy incentives and aid private prisons to promote even greater rehabilitation and justice.

Whereas: Current quotas incentivize overcrowding in private prisons Whereas: For-profit prisons take advantage of cheap labor by not giving fair wages to the inmates Whereas: As a private industry, prisons are currently incentivized to cut corners and costs as a means to turn a greater profit, leading to poor quality of life for the inmates Whereas: Prison guards in for-profit prisons are under-trained as compared with their public prisons counterparts

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: Government subsidies will be provided to for-profit prisons in order to:

Subsection 1: Ensure equal training of prison guards.

Subsection 2: Supplement higher wages for inmate labor.

Section 2: Impose regulations to insure quality of life for prison inmates.

Subsection 1: Ensure quality of food, healthcare, living conditions and prevent abuse of solitary confinement.

Subsection 2: Standardize bed quotas between 85% and 100% and not exceeding 100%.

93 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX

SENATE & HOUSE J

1001J: A BILL TO IMPROVE SEXUAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM STANDARDS Sponsored by: Senator Vanshika Sharma, High Tech H.S. Senator Xi’an Tate, High Tech H.S. Representative Max Lisimachio, High Tech H.S. Representative Melissa Velasco, High Tech H.S.

1002J: A BILL TO ABOLISH RESTRICTIONS ON GAY And BISEXUAL MALE BLOOD and organ DONORS Sponsored by: Senator Sarah Baum, Marlboro H.S. Representative Neha Kuderu, Marlboro H.S. Representative Ambika Sinha, Marlboro H.S.

1003J: A BILL TO INCLUDE FIRST AID CLASSES AS PART OF THE COMMON CORE CURRICULUM Sponsored by: Senator Bishoy Said, Secaucus H.S. Senator Nicholas Marciano, Secaucus H.S. Representative Abubakr Ahmed, Secaucus H.S. Representative Kush Shah, Secaucus H.S.

1004J: A BILL TO DECREASE RECIDIVISM Sponsored by: Senator Shivangi Singh, South Brunswick H.S. Senator Rucha Dave, South Brunswick H.S. Representative Pranav Baskar, South Brunswick H.S. Representative Shruthi Katipally, South Brunswick H.S. Representative Shaown Bhatacharyya, South Brunswick H.S.

1005J: A BILL TO IMPLEMENT A NATIONAL DRIVING AGE Sponsored by: Senator Nicholas Pearson, Tri-County Chapter Representative Andrew Geldreich, Tri-County Chapter

1006J: A BILL TO PROVIDE TEACHERS WITH INCENTIVES GEARED TOWARDS ENHANCING INSTRUCTIONAL PERFORMANCE Sponsored by: Senator Bria James, St. Croix Central High School Representative Sunil Mahepath, St. Croix Central High School

1007J: A BILL TO LIMIT POLICE CIVIL FORFEITURE Sponsored by: Senator Adrian Robertson, Thomas Jefferson H.S.S.T. Senator Dean Gumas, Thomas Jefferson H.S.S.T. Representative Shruty Shrestha, South Brunswick H.S.

1008J: A BILL TO UPHOLD RESPECT FOR THE NATIVE AMERICAN RACE Sponsored by: Senator Pavan Marempudi, West Windsor-Plainsboro H.S. South Representative Rodrigo Ramirez, West Windsor-Plainsboro H.S. South

94 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX 1001J: A BILL TO IMPROVE SEXUAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM STANDARDS

Sponsored by: Senator Vanshika Sharma from High Tech High School Senator Xi’an Tate from High Tech High School Representative Max Lisimachio from High Tech High School Representative Melissa Velasco from High Tech High School

It’s an unsavory truth that sexual education in the United States does very little to actually educate. While many would argue that teens should have their innocence preserved, and be spared the nitty-gritty details of sexual education, the reality is that teenagers are on the road to becoming adults, and deserve a proper orientation on how to navigate the waters of safe sex. Furthermore, it is the duty of the federal government to provide a universal curriculum, so as to steamroll those who wish to hamper the learning of these important topics, simply in the name of “purity.”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: All schools in the United States are to have a mandatory Health class, which includes sexual education.

Section 2: These health classes are to include subjects outlined in Subsections 1 through 4.

Subsection 1: Students are to be educated on the subjects of STDs and STIs.

Subsection 2: Students are to be instructed on the use of contraception.

Subsection 3: Students are to be informed on the topics of teen pregnancies.

Subsection 4: Students are to be given long-term contextual information for dealing with these issues in their lives.

Section 3: This bill applies to students of the age of ten and older, regardless of the student’s grade level.

Section 4: Parents cannot opt children out of these classes, unless in the case of a formal religious exemption.

1002J: A BILL TO ABOLISH RESTRICTIONS ON GAY AND BISEXUAL MALE BLOOD AND ORGAN DONORS

Sponsored by: Senator Sarah Baum, Marlboro High School Representative Neha Kuderu, Marlboro High School Representative Ambika Sinha, Marlboro High School

The original ban on gay and bisexual male blood donors was instituted many decades ago and fueled by fear and ignorance of the HIV/AIDS virus. Years later, science has proven that the basis for such laws is invalid. To this day, certain restrictions exist that prohibit gay and bisexual men from donating blood unless they have been celibate for a full year. These limitations not only unfairly discriminate against the gay and bisexual population, but also contribute to the already critical shortage of blood and organs.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: This bill deems it unlawful to implement restrictions on gay and bisexual blood and organ donors.

Section 2: This bill also deems it unlawful to discriminate against blood and organ donors based on sexuality, gender/gender expression, ethnicity, nationality, class, religion, or any other distinguishing factor.

Section 3: If an organization or employee of thereof is found to be violating the terms of this bill, then they shall face a fine of $8,000.

95 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX 1003J: A BILL TO INCLUDE FIRST AID CLASSES AS PART OF THE COMMON CORE CURRICULUM

Sponsored by: Senator Bishoy Said, Secaucus High School Senator Nicholas Marciano, Secaucus High School Representative Abubakr Ahmed, Secaucus High School Representative Kush Shah, Secaucus High School

Time is a crucial factor in the case of an emergency. There is a very brief time frame for saving a victim’s life. Whether or not a victim survives can largely depend on the immediate intervention by bystanders. For example, if a victim has sudden cardiac arrest and is not given proper CPR within five minutes then he/she will most likely die. Unfortunately, studies done by the American Heart Association show that 70% of Americans do not have knowledge of basic First Aid and only 32% of Sudden Cardiac Arrest victims receive First Aid from bystanders. Basic knowledge of First Aid can save many lives, and should be common knowledge.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: A basic First Aid class should be included in the Eleventh grade common core curriculum, making it a required course in order to obtain a high school diploma.

Subsection 1: The First Aid class will be a graded on a Pass or Fail scale.

Subsection 2: The class will only be taken during one marking period (1/4 of the year).

Section 2: Instructors teaching the class should be trained and certified in first aid.

Subsection 1: These instructors will be funded by the federal government.

Section 3: Students in Eleventh and Twelfth grade can legally provide assistance to the community in emergency situations where basic First Aid is necessary.

1004J: A BILL TO DECREASE RECIDIVISM

Sponsored by: Senator Shivangi Singh, South Brunswick High School Senator Rucha Dave, South Brunswick High School Representative Pranav Baskar, South Brunswick High School Representative Shruthi Katipally, South Brunswick High School Representative Shaown Bhatacharyya, South Brunswick High School

American safety is of the most paramount priorities of the United States government. However, crime still manifests on a macro scale in the majority of urban communities in America. Studies have found that those who have already been in jail, and have served time as a punishment commit the majority of these crimes. This is because prisons do not provide adequate rehabilitative programs for their inmates. As a result, statistics quantify that prison confinement significantly increased the risk of rearrests by 13 percent and reconviction by 22 percent. Because solutions to the problem are so easily accessible in its wide docket of abilities, the government has a moral obligation to prevent re-offense crimes. Increasing funding for rehabilitative programs would solve these problems of America, unlike the current prison situation, which is only exacerbating this complex problem.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: The United States government should provide a substantial increase in funding towards the rehabilitative programs in public prisons.

Subsection 1: The amount of funding will be determined based upon how much criminal behavior is reduced among inmate release.

96 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Subsection 2: These rehabilitative programs will provide educational support, drug and alcohol counseling, and psychological therapy, in order to give convicts a chance to re-enter society, and reduce their likelihood of reoffending.

Section 2: The United States government should implement a comprehensive method to monitor prisons in America, to ensure that they are doing an adequate job at rehabilitating its inmates, and treating them justly.

Subsection 1: Monitoring tactics will consist of periodical area and condition checks by accredited organizations and welfare groups.

Section 3: The United States government should provide a substantial increase in funding towards the medical care programs in public prisons.

Subsection 1: The amount of funding will be determined based upon how much the quality of medical care increases.

Subsection 2: “Adequate” health aid entails trained medical staff and a sufficient amount of medical equipment.

1005J: A BILL TO IMPLEMENT A NATIONAL DRIVING AGE

Sponsored by: Senator Nicholas Pearson, Tri-County Chapter Representative Andrew Geldreich, Tri-County Chapter

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: After turning 15 years of age and upon completion of a Driver’s Education Program, one can obtain a learner’s permit.

Subsection 1: An individual must have their learner’s permit for a minimum of a full year.

Section 2: After obtaining the required year of driver’s experience, one is permitted to acquire a provisional license.

Subsection 1: One must pass a driver’s test before obtaining their provisional license.

Subsection 2: The individual will have the provisional license for 6 months.

Subsection 3: The provisional license requires the individual to adhere to a curfew and to limit the passengers carried to one individual under the age of 21.

Section 3: After completion of all the above requirements, the individual can obtain their unrestricted driver’s license.

Section 4: This bill will go into effect January 1st of the year following its passage.

1006J: A BILL TO PROVIDE TEACHERS WITH INCENTIVES GEARED TOWARDS ENHANCING INSTRUCTIONAL PERFORMANCE

Sponsored by: Senator Bria James, St. Croix Central High School Representative Sunil Mahepath, Good Hope Country Day School Representative Raeniqua Victorine, Charlotte Amalie High School

Although some young Americans graduate from high school with superb academic skills, many leave with pathetic abilities in crucial areas such as reading, writing, basic math, and reasoning. A global education survey recently released shows that when it comes to math, reading and science, teens in the United States and its territories rank 36th in the world. 97 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX One of the key reasons is that many of their teachers are not very good themselves. The outcome in ranking can be drastically improved with enhanced teachers’ performance. Teachers should be knowledgeable and well prepared in their subject areas that can be achieved through Professional Development and extrinsic and tangible incentives.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: The Congress of the United States will provide initiatives to enhance teachers’ performance throughout the country and its territories.

Subsection 1: Teachers should be provided scholarships on an on-going basis to enhance their performance towards an advanced continuing education degree.

Subsection 2: A mandatory two-year ten percent pay increase should be provided to teachers when 70% of their students are rated as being advanced or proficient on at least two national standardized tests, as prescribed by the state.

1007J: A BILL TO LIMIT POLICE CIVIL FORFEITURE

Sponsored by: Senator Adrian Robertson, Thomas Jefferson H.S.S.T. Senator Dean Gumas, Thomas Jefferson H.S.S.T. Representative Shruty Shrestha, South Brunswick H.S.

Civil forfeiture is a legal process in which police take assets from persons suspected of involvement with crime or illegal activity. Assets can include large sums of money, cars, and even homes. Unfortunately, police departments often abuse the privilege. Individuals innocent of any crimes have had their property seized countless times. Often no charges are brought against these individuals, yet they cannot retrieve their property from the police departments. Civil forfeiture allows police to keep possession of property seized regardless if the person was involved in criminal activity or if the money was obtained illegally. These acts leave citizens with the only option of court to get their property back, which can often be a lengthy and costly experience. Police should be limited on how long they can hold this property without cause.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: If property is seized by local police departments on suspicion of its use in a crime, that property can be held by that department for a period of 90 days.

Subsection 1: After 90 days the property shall be released to the person from whom it was seized.

Subsection 2: The property can be held by the police department past the 90-day period if charges related to the possession of the property are brought against the individual from whom the property was seized.

1008J: A BILL TO UPHOLD RESPECT FOR THE NATIVE AMERICAN RACE

Sponsored by: Senator Pavan Marempudi, West Windsor Plainsboro High School South Representative Rodrigo Ramirez, West Windsor Plainsboro High School South

From Columbus's arrival to America in 1492 up until today, Native American tribes have been oppressed and cast down. In the 1800's, their land was invaded and they were forced onto reservations. In the Indian Wars, many Native Americans were labeled "hostile" and massacred by the Union Army. Even the reservations and "Indian Territory" were taken over and settled by the white men, and today, the major tribes that once flourished over all of North America are all but gone, with only a few small reservations on which to live. The Native Americans were pushed onto reservations, and they were forced to make treaties, which the U.S. government violated again and again. They were moved at a forced march up to 800 miles from their homelands. Under cruel conditions, the army forced the peaceful tribes through the cold, winter weather to their new homes. During this ordeal, known as the "Trail of Tears", over 4,000 Cherokees alone died, out of the 15,000 moved. They died due to disease, exposure, and starvation. Even when the Indian Territory was reached, the US

98 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Government was not satisfied. Slowly, more and more of the land was taken from the Native American tribes. In 1902, several hundred thousand acres were cleared out for white settlements. In 1907, the Indian Nations ceased to exist, and when Oklahoma became a state, all Native American territory was assimilated into the Union. A series of bloody battles started several years after the end of the Civil War, due to the demand of Indian Territory by the white Americans and ended with the massacre at Wounded Knee in 1890. The cruel Union Army slaughtered thousands of Native Americans. The Native Americans, led by heroes such as Sitting Bull, Chief Joseph, and Crazy Horse, fought outnumbered for many years before being defeated one by one at the hands of the Federal Government. A government that maintained ideas of equality and freedom was showing that these ideas obviously did not pertain to everyone.

Whereas: Offensive names for institutions will perpetuate misconceptions about the Native Americans. Whereas: America should give respect to a race that suffered greatly for centuries. Whereas: The absence of offensive names will allow the ignorance about Native Americans to slowly disappear. Whereas: Americans will realize Native Americans are not only part of the country’s past, but are also still part of this nation.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that:

Section 1: All professional sports teams with names/logos/mascots deemed offensive to Native Americans shall be banned.

Subsection 1: A committee shall be assigned for every professional league that will review the names/logos/mascots of all teams. Offensive names shall include mockery of the Native Americans, and their culture, and/or references to incorrect stereotypes of Native Americans.

Subsection 2: All teams with offensive names shall be notified and asked to come submit a new name within one month of notification.

Section 2: All restaurants and bars with names/logos deemed offensive shall be banned.

Subsection 1: States shall review the names of all food-related institutions in search of “offensive” names/logos.

Subsection 2: All restaurants and bars with offensive names/logos shall have a week to submit a new name/logo.

Section 3: All youth/school sports teams with names/logos/mascots deemed offensive to Native Americans shall be banned.

Subsection 1: All leagues shall review the names of their respective teams, and shall notify the teams with offensive names.

Subsection 2: These teams shall have two weeks to submit new names to their respective league/organization.

Section 4: In the case of an institution that refuses to change their name/logo/mascot, or does not submit revised name/logo/mascot in the allotted time, the following repercussions will ensue.

Subsection 1: If a professional sports team does not change the name/logo/mascot within the one-month period given, there will be a ban on any attendance of fans to matches until name/logo/mascot is changed.

Subsection 2: In addition, a 2 million dollar fine will be charged to any professional sports team unwilling to change the name/logo/mascot.

Subsection 3: If a restaurant does not change its name/logo within the one week given, they shall be fined 100,000 dollars and will not be allowed to open until new name/logo is approved.

99 MID-ATLANTIC WINTER CONGRESS 2015 – LEGISLATIVE INDEX Subsection 4: If a youth/school sports team does not change their name/logo/mascot within the allotted time they will not be able to play in any competitions until the new name/logo/mascot has been approved.

Section 5: This bill will take effect 60 days after its passage.

100