TeenPact

According to the TeenPact website (teenpact.com), TeenPact is:

TeenPact is a dynamic, hands-on leadership school for Christian students. Our mission is to train youth to understand the political process, value their liberty, defend their Christian faith and engage the culture at a time in their lives when, typically, they do not care about such things. 

TeenPact in Illinois is April 23-26, with an optional Political Communications Workshop on the 27th (which I will not be attending).

The pre-class homework is very extensive, but very interesting. I've learned so much about the government and how it works, the history behind parts of it, and the reasons for the ways many things are done. It's a lot of work, but I've been enjoying it! One of the assignments is to write a one-page bill on any subject. The first bill written has to be on a serious topic, but they encourage you to write more than one bill, and all but the first can be as silly as you want. My serious bill is on the topic of Cottage Foods, giving much more freedom to entrepreneurs who want to start Cottage Foods businesses. I've wanted to start something like that in the past, but was unable to because of the many regulations and fees.

My funny bill is as follows...

House Bill # 123,456,789

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT

To prohibit texting near motor vehicles and roadways in this state.

Purpose: To reduce the number of casualties caused by texting and similar messaging on or near roadways and motor vehicles.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS

Section 1: For the purpose of this act, “electronic message” shall mean any digital communication sent from a wireless communication including but not limited to electronic mail, posting to a social networking site, instant messaging, text messaging, or any message that includes a keystroke entry sent between mobile devices.

Section 2: It is unlawful for any individual to send an electronic message while being within 1,000 feet of any automobile or public roadway in this state.

Section 3: Any person who violates this act shall be subject to having their hands duct taped together for a period of 48 hours, and their mobile phone given to an energetic 2-year-old for the same amount of time. The amount of time shall be doubled upon each additional offense.

Section 4: All laws or parts of laws in conflict with this act are hereby repealed.

Section 5: This act shall become effective fifteen seconds after approval by the governor or upon its otherwise becoming a law.