By Journalist Trevor Friesen (OSU).
Representative Cannon Mitchell (Left) (OSU) and Senator Aiden Minton (Right) (OSU), moments before presenting thier respective Freshman Bills.
Despite overall participant experience, the Freshman Bill rendered monumental success.
Friday afternoon, March 31st, House Representative Cannon Mitchell (OSU) presented the Freshman Bill “OSU-536”, “an act relating to Education” in the House of Representatives.
Proposed for the overall purpose of increasing collegiate-voter turnout, the bill aimed at rending college classes not required on election days. Even further, the bill prohibits all “tests, labs, quizzes, attendances, assignments worth more than 2.5%, and organization meetings” from occurring on election days as well.
The Freshman Bill, a bill purposed for the training and development of all “0-2 star” O.I.L. House of Representatives competitors, was an overall massive success both in the bills house action and event as a whole. In a unprecendatly quick process, the bills deliberation lasted a mere 45 minutes, passing with 34 votes in the affirmative and 2 in the negative.
Moot competitor, Ryan Francione (OSU), praised the bill, calling it “very well written and a great addition to the legislation”. Companied with most, Francione was one of the many O.I.L. newcomers who found the opportunity to participate in the unique experience very helpful and opportunistic as a whole.
In coordinance with the uniqueness of the event opportunity, the legislation guinea-pigged many representatives first opportunities for amendments, with each amendment coming from a different constituency. In total, the bill concluded with five total amendment, all of which friendly, all of which were accepted.
With the encouragement of questioning and caucussing so prevelant among representatives, the bill was met with backlash even with such uneven final voting tally. Representitive Gabriel Hensley (UT) remained weary, arguing that “missing one class period is not going to really come at the detriment of your overall learning”. Yet, with their friendly amendment (Section 3, addition of subsection 4) passing, Hensley’s comfort was eased, and vote swayed in the process.
The Freshman Bill as a whole in the House of Representatives was a massive success in comparison to those in past sessions in both time for deliberation and quality of diverse involvement. From varied questions, diverse motions, and a transition to and from committee as a whole the bill overall paved the way to an afternoon of increased involvement and excitement for all.