SC YMCA YIG
DELEGATE
HANDBOOK
Introduction to Youth in Government
The Youth in Government program helps to create the next generation of
good citizens. Through our programs, we demystify local, state and national
governmental systems so tomorrow's adults will know how to effect change within
these systems. We expand horizons so young people will understand their role
within a global society.
The program uses the service-learning model in the firm belief that
leadership is developed by doing. High school students help provide leadership for
our middle school programs, while college students -- alumni of the Youth in
Government program -- provide leadership for our high school programming. All
programs are guided and directed by committed adult volunteers and YMCA
professional staff.
This handbook will help understand the basics of the Youth in government
program and prepare for the Model Legislature & Court conference in November.
Model Legislature & Court
South Carolina YMCA Youth in Government's Model Legislature & Court Conference
(ML&C) has been the state's premier youth leadership and civic development
program for the past 27 years. ML&C creates a semester long learn-by-doing
experience that teaches the values of democracy by bringing together high school
students from across the state. The conference provides delegates an opportunity
to learn how to solve community problems through the democratic process as well
as debate and discuss issues with their peers from throughout South Carolina. Over
1,200 high school students participate in this three-day conference.
Pawley’s Island Leadership Conference
Students learn about their leadership style and what makes a good leaders.
Students also work to help improve the fall YIG conferences. Students also get free
time to hang out at the beach and build friendships with fellow participants. The
Pawley’s Island Leadership Conference is open to any high school student attending
the ML&C Conference in the fall.
Model United Nations (MUN)
High school students serve as resource staff for this conference. High school
students work with middle school country groups to help them throughout the
conference. They preside over committee and council sessions. Lastly, they help
college staff and YMCA staff oversee the conference. High school resource staff
members must submit an application and complete a training course prior to the
conference.
Horizons Values Conference
The Horizons Values Conference is unlike any other YIG conference. As opposed to
debating issues and bills, students are charged with discussing the challenges
facing teenagers and what matters to them. Students spend time in small groups
discussing issues and values. Each small group has 2 facilitators that help lead the
conversation. Students also participate in a talent show, group dynamics session
and an optional high ropes course.
Conference on National Affairs (CONA)
Each year the South Carolina YIG program participates in the YMCA Conference on
National Affairs by taking 25 students to the conference at the YMCA Blue Ridge
Assembly Center. The Conference on National Affairs brings together students from
across the country together to debate national issues. Students are selected by
application or teacher nomination.
National Judicial Competition (NJC)
The Youth in Government National Judicial Competition is the National YIG
conference for judicial programs. The National Judicial Competition was established
in 2012 and is held in Chicago, IL. The winning mock trial and appeals teams from
HSML&C are invited to participate. Other interested students are encouraged to
apply.
Model Legislature & Court Roles
Legislator
All legislators work in pairs. Each pair writes one bill. Bills will be assigned to
appropriate committee. Students, with advice from their advisor, select to be in the
House, Senate, Premier House or Premier Senate.
Premier House/Premier Senate: All first-time YIG students (except firsttime seniors) should select either the Premier House or Premier Senate. These
legislative chambers are identical to the Upper Chambers, with the exception that
the premier chambers are teaching chambers and presume no knowledge of
parliamentary procedure or legislative process. Schools are not limited to any
specific number of Premier House or Premier Senate legislative pairs.
House/Senate: For students who have attending YIG at least one previous
year, or for first-time senior participants. Currently, schools are not limited in the
number of House of Representatives legislative pairs. Schools are limited to two
Senate pairs.
Attorney
Trial attorneys work in teams of four or five students. The teams must come
from one school. We no longer combine students from different schools, and as a
result, we cannot accommodate teams of fewer than four students. Trial attorneys
will try both sides of a criminal case, with half of the team serving as attorneys in
one trial and the other half of the team serving as witnesses, then reversing for the
second trial. Students may also elect to be appeals attorneys who work in pairs to
argue both sides of a Constitutional appeals cases during multiple rounds in front of
the appointed bench of student justices. ALL ATTORNEYS MUST ATTEND A
TRAINING SESSION IN COLUMBIA PRIOR TO THE CONFERENCE.
Clerk
Interested applicants must complete the extra-skilled application form.
Clerks work under the supervision of Chief Clerks in legislative chambers, serving
as administrators for each chamber. Clerk is a non-speaking role, although some
clerks will be selected as Reading Clerks, and are responsible for reading bills in the
chambers. Clerks must be orderly, professional and, able to juggle multiple tasks at
once.
Lobbyist
Lobbyists complete the Lobbyist Application, which requires their advisor’s
signature. Lobbyists should be self-directed and reliable. Lobbyists will work in
Political Action Committees representing a specific interest group, and will lobby for
or against legislation of interest to that PAC. Lobbyists may speak in committees
but not in legislative chambers.
Media Staff
Newspaper reporters will work on a staff to publish daily conference
newspapers. Video News Crew will put together conference video and slide show to
be shown on the final day of the conference.
Committee Chair (selected in spring prior to the conference)
Qualifications
1. At least one prior year of experience in the YIG Legislative Program or similar
government-oriented program.
2. Exhibits leadership characteristics and works well with others.
3. Speaks well in public, effectively conveying ideas and information.
4. Possesses a working knowledge of parliamentary procedure.
5. Understands legislative procedures and is able to direct the work of a
legislative committee.
Duties
1. Maintains the order of business in her/his respective committee.
2. Ensures that all legislation is handled efficiently and verifies the voting
results as marked on the bill jackets.
3. Prepares and prioritizes bills for perfection and final passage, based on both
the importance and the structure of the pending legislation.
4. Assists committee members in editing, polishing, amending, or combining
bills for submission to their respective chamber.
5. Attends training prior to the State Convention.
Selection Process
1. Students file a Program Leader Application with State Office by stated
deadline.
2. Program Coordinators review all applications and appoint students to fill
these positions.
Committee Co-Chair (selected in spring prior to the conference)
Qualifications
1. At least one prior year of experience in the YIG Legislative Program or similar
government-oriented program.
2. Exhibits leadership characteristics and works well with others.
3. Speaks well in public, effectively conveying ideas and information.
4. Possesses a working knowledge of parliamentary procedure.
5. Understands legislative procedures and is able to direct the work of a
legislative committee.
Duties
1. Acts as Clerk for her/his respective committee.
2. Chairs her/his respective committee in the absence of the Chair.
3. Maintains the order of business in her/his respective committee.
4. Assists in ensuring that all legislation is handled efficiently and verifies the
voting results as marked on the bill jackets.
5. Assists in preparing and prioritizing bills for perfection and final passage,
based on both the importance and the structure of the pending legislation.
6. Assists committee members in editing, polishing, amending, or combining
bills for submission to their respective chamber.
7. Attends training prior to the State Convention.
Selection Process
1. Students file a Program Leader Application with State Office by stated
deadline.
2. Program Coordinators review all applications and appoint students to fill
these positions.
Party Leader (selected in spring prior to the conference)
Party Leaders are selected through the Program Leader Application. Party
Leaders sit as members of the Upper Chambers (House/Senate). They collaborate
in writing the platform of their party and identify legislation for their party to
support in chambers. They also are tasked with encouraging debate within their
respective chamber.
Floor Leader (selected in spring prior to the conference)
Floor Leaders are selected through the Program Leader Application. Floor
Leaders sit as members of the Lower Chambers (Premier House/Premier Senate).
They must have an intimate knowledge of Parliamentary Procedure. They also are
tasked with encouraging debate within their respective chamber by speaking when
debate is slow and aiding other legislators in the chamber in writing speeches.
Governor’s Staff (selected by the Governor prior to the conference)
Qualifications
1. At least one prior year of experience in Youth in Government or similar
government-oriented program.
2. Exhibits leadership characteristics and works well with others.
3. Speaks well in public, effectively conveying ideas and information.
4. Well organized, attentive to details, and possesses a working knowledge of
all the programs in Youth in Government.
Duties
1. Reviews all proposed legislation and advises the Governor, as requested.
2. Reviews passed legislation and advises the Governor whether to sign or veto.
3. Fulfills other specific duties as assigned by the Governor, such as speaking to
the media, leading staff meetings, etc.
4. Coordinates with the Governor, State Director, and Legislative Program.
Coordinators to locate bill sponsors in the House and/or Senate.
Selection Process
1. The Governor solicits applications for these positions.
2. Based on the applications, any interviews that are conducted, and after
consultation with the Program Director, the Governor appoints students to
these positions.
Chief Clerk (selected in spring prior to the conference)
The Chief Clerk serves as the chief administrator for the Upper Chambers and
is tasked with the responsibility of overseeing all other clerks. The Chief Clerk
organizes the docket, tracks and signs the hard copy of all bills, and keeps a record
of attendance of the chamber. Interested applicants must complete the extraskilled application form.
Middle School Presiding Resource Staff (selected in spring prior to
the conference)
Middle School Resource Staff are responsible for aiding the Middle School Lt.
Governor, Speaker of the House, and other presiders with management of the
Middle School chambers and correctly executing parliamentary procedure. Middle
School Resource staff may be asked to aid in the presiding over the Middle School
chambers in the event that the Middle School presider requires support.
Associate Justice (selected in spring prior to the conference)
The Associate Justices participates in the appeals hearing process by asking
questions of the participating attorneys, casting a vote in regards to the decision of
the case, and aiding in the authorship of the opinion of the Court.
Senior Associate Justice (selected in spring prior to the conference)
The Senior Associate Justice acts as the head of the Court in the event the
bench splits into two separate courts. The Senior Associate Justice also participates
in the appeals hearing process by asking questions of the participating attorneys,
casting a vote in regards to the decision of the case, and aiding in the authorship of
the opinion of the Court.
Chief Justice (selected in spring prior to the conference)
The Chief Justice administers the Oath of Office to all delegates and elected
officials. The Chief Justice also acts as the head of the Supreme Court and presides
over said court. The Chief Justice participates in the appeals hearing process by
asking questions of the participating attorneys, casting a vote in regards to the
decision of the case, and aiding in the authorship of the opinion of the Court.
Premier Presider (selected in spring prior to the conference)
Qualifications
1. At least one prior year of experience in Youth in Government or similar
government-oriented program.
2. Exhibits strong leadership characteristics and works well with others.
3. Speaks well in public, effectively conveying ideas and information.
4. Possesses a strong working knowledge of parliamentary procedure.
5. Understands legislative procedures and is able to direct smooth operations in
the Premier Senate/Premier House.
Duties
1. Remains prepared to represent the YMCA and speak about YIG to other
individuals or groups.
2. Participates in all YIG training events as specified by the Program Committee.
3. Presides as the President of the Premier Senate or Speaker of the Premier
House.
4. Manages debate in the Premier Senate/Premier House by tracking
precedence and striving to balance participation among delegations and
districts.
Selection Process
1. Students file a Program Leader Application with State Office by stated
deadline.
2. Program Coordinators review all applications and appoint students to fill
these positions.
Speaker Pro Tempore (selected in spring prior to the conference)
Qualifications
1. At least one prior year of experience in Youth in Government or similar
government-oriented program.
2. Exhibits strong leadership characteristics and works well with others.
3. Speaks well in public, effectively conveying ideas and information.
4. Possesses a strong working knowledge of parliamentary procedure.
5. Understands legislative procedures and is able to direct smooth operations in
the House of Representatives.
Duties
1. Remains prepared to represent the YMCA and speak about YIG to other
individuals or groups.
2. Participates in all YIG training events as specified by the Program Committee.
3. Presides as a voting member at sessions of the House of Representatives in
the absence of the Speaker of the House.
4. Manages debate in the House by tracking precedence and striving to balance
participation among delegations and districts.
Selection Process
1. Students file a Program Leader Application with State Office by stated
deadline.
2. Program Coordinators review all applications and appoint students to fill
these positions.
President Pro Tempore (selected in spring prior to the conference)
Qualifications
1. At least one prior year of experience in Youth in Government or similar
government-oriented program.
2. Exhibits strong leadership characteristics and works well with others.
3. Speaks well in public, effectively conveying ideas and information.
4. Possesses a strong working knowledge of parliamentary procedure.
5. Understands legislative procedures and is able to direct smooth operations in
the Senate.
Duties
1. Remains prepared to represent the YMCA and speak about YIG to other
individuals or groups.
2. Participates in all YIG training events as specified by the Program Committee.
3. Presides as a voting member at sessions of the Senate in the absence of the
President of the Senate.
4. Manages debate in the Senate by tracking precedence and striving to balance
participation among delegations and districts.
Selection Process
1. Students file a Program Leader Application with State Office by stated
deadline.
2. Program Coordinators review all applications and appoint students to fill
these positions.
Elected Officials
One of the important facets of the Youth in Government Program is the
opportunity for participants to serve in leadership positions throughout the
program. In the Model Legislature & Court there are two types of leadership
positions: appointed leadership and elected officers. To help ensure the candidate
has a positive experience, please make sure all forms are submitted prior to the
deadline.
Expectations of Elected Officials
Running for an elected office in the South Carolina YMCA Youth in Government
program is a serious undertaking, and implies an agreement to a level of
commitment and participation above and beyond that of a delegate.
Candidates for office agree to the following:
If elected, I will:
1. Participate in all training and planning sessions required of elected officials.
2. Youth Governor agrees to attend the National Youth Governor’s Conference
in June and the YMCA Youth in Government Conference on National Affairs in
July. (Scholarship assistance may be available for elected officials whose
families are unable to pay the CONA fee.) All other elected officials are
strongly encouraged to attend CONA.
3. Elected officials are expected to attend at least three YIG events during their
term.
4. All elected officials must attend the Pawley’s Island Leadership Conference in
the fall of their term.
5. Elected officials should do their best to attend Horizons Values Conference in
May and recruit other students to attend.
6. Elected Officials should also attend at least one of the following YIG events:
Middle School Model UN Resource Staff, YIG Leadership Training, and CONA.
7. YIG elected officials are expected to serve as Team Captains and recruit and
oversee a team of students to participate in our annual Open Doors
scholarship drive.
8. All elected officials agree to work to promote Youth in Government, its values
and its mission, through their activities at school and in the community.
9. Elected officials agree to abide by the YMCA’s core values of Honesty,
Respect, Responsibility and Caring.
10.Elected officials understand and agree to accept the decision of the YMCA
Youth in Government Executive Director and Board of Directors in any
decisions concerning an elected official’s ability to serve. Specifically, if an
elected official’s behavior at school, outside of school, or during any YIG
event does not reflect the standard of excellence expected of YIG officials,
and if any behavior casts the Youth in Government program in a negative
light, the YMCA Youth in Government program has the right to remove an
elected official from that position. The elected official agrees to this policy,
and understands that the decision of the Board of Directors and/or the
Executive Director is final.
Election and Campaign Rules
1. Total spending for a campaign may not exceed $100 (with the exception
listed in Rule 2, below). Donations of goods count the same as a purchase. If
a campaign receives a donation of a case of paper, for instance, the
campaign must report that donation and its fair market value.
2. Campaigns may spend an additional $50 if that $50 is raised through
campaign donations. Campaigns that select this option must provide an
itemized list of donors, with contact information for each donor.
3. Under no circumstances may a campaign spend more than a total of $150
($100 of regular campaign funding, plus $50 of optional donated campaign
funds).
4. All campaigns must provide full accounting of expenditures and donations.
These must be turned in to the Secretary of State or conference staff on
Wednesday, upon arrival in Columbia, and before campaigning begins.
5. Items that are found at home may be used without an additional cost to the
candidate, as long as the items could reasonably be expected to be found at
home. These items could include, for instance, yardsticks or other items that
could be used to put campaign signs on. Questions and clarifications should
be directed to Mary Capers Bledsoe at [email protected].
6. No posters or campaign signage may be taped, glued or attached in any way
to walls, elevators, desks, doors, etc. at any of the hotels, or at the
Statehouse and Statehouse buildings.
7. Unless prior approval is given, no food, gum or any other edible items may
be used in campaigns.
8. Slogans must be appropriate, respectful, and in keeping with the YMCA’s core
values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
9. Campaigns are prohibited from any activities, actions, and statements that
would negatively affect another candidate or campaign.
10.Candidates and their campaign staff must conduct themselves in a manner
that demonstrates the core values of the YMCA, and the level of respectful
behavior expected of Youth in Government participants and leadership.
11.Violations of any campaign rules and regulations may result in any or all of
the following sanctions:
 Campaign material confiscated and not returned
 Candidate disqualified from race
 Election results nullified
These sanctions will be determined by YMCA Youth in Government staff and
volunteers. The Youth in Government Executive Director will have the final
say in applying sanctions.
Any questions or interpretations about these regulations should be directed to Mary
Capers Bledsoe at [email protected].
Roles of Elected Officials
Governor: Candidates for Youth Governor must be enrolled in the 11th grade. They
must have at least one year’s prior experience in the YMCA Model Legislature. The
Youth Governor will be elected during the HSML&C.
The Youth Governor must attend leadership training as outlined in the Candidate
Code of Conduct. In addition, the newly elected Youth Governor should attend the
National Youth Governor’s Conference in Washington, DC in June. All delegates
interested in running for Governor are encouraged to apply to be a part of the
South Carolina Delegation to the Conference on National Affairs.
The Youth Governor has the following responsibilities:
1. Address the opening joint sessions of the YMCA Youth Legislature, including
in the closing session the Governor’s action on all legislation presented by
the Secretary of State after passage by both houses of the legislature.
2. Consider each bill passed by the legislature, soliciting information and advice
from staff and other elected officials as necessary.
3. Sign or veto legislation passed by both houses.
4. May select a Governor’s Staff of 5 delegates to be assigned specific duties to
meet the needs of the Governor’s Office.
5. Represent South Carolina at the YMCA Youth Governor’s Conference in
Washington, DC in June.
Lieutenant Governor: Candidates for Lt. Governor must have at least one year’s
prior experience in the YMCA Model Legislature. The Lt. Governor will be elected
during the HSML&C.
The Lt. Governor must attend leadership training as outlined in the Candidate
Code of Conduct. All delegates interested in running for Lt. Governor are
encouraged to apply to be a part of the South Carolina Delegation to the
Conference on National Affairs.
The Lt. Governor has the following responsibilities:
1. Preside over the Senate and act as the representative of the Senate at all
times.
2. Ensure that the will of the majority prevails and that the rights of the
minority are respected.
3. Preserve order and decorum in the chamber.
4. Answer all parliamentary inquiries.
5. Designate who is first to speak when two or more member rise at once.
6. Announce all results of all votes taken and cast the deciding vote in the case
of a tie.
7. Sign all acts, memorials and resolutions passed by the body.
8. Assume the role of the Youth Governor in the event the Youth Governor is
unable to fulfill their duties.
The Lt. Governor shall preside over the opening joint session and convocations.
Speaker of the House: Candidates for Speaker of the House must have at least
one year’s prior experience in the YMCA Model Legislature. The Speaker of the
House will be elected during the HSML&C.
The Speaker of the House must attend leadership training as outlined in the
Candidate Code of Conduct. All delegates interested in running for Speaker of the
House are encouraged to apply to be a part of the South Carolina Delegation to the
Conference on National Affairs.
The Speaker of the House has the following responsibilities:
1. Preside over the House of Representatives and act as the representative of
the House at all times.
2. Ensure that the will of the majority prevails and that the rights of the
minority are respected.
3. Preserve order and decorum in the chamber.
4. Answer all parliamentary inquiries.
5. Designate who is first to speak when two or more member rise at once.
6. Announce all results of all votes taken and case the deciding vote in the case
of a tie.
7. Sign all acts, memorials and resolutions passed by the body.
8. Assume the role of the Youth Governor in the event the Youth Governor and
Lt. Governor are unable to fulfill the duties of the Youth Governor. The
Speaker of the House shall preside over the closing joint session.
Secretary of State: Candidates for Secretary of State must have at least one
year’s prior experience in the YMCA Model Legislature. The Secretary of State will
be elected during the HSML&C.
The Secretary of State must attend leadership training as outlined in the
Candidate Code of Conduct. All delegates interested in running for Secretary of
State are encouraged to apply to be a part of the South Carolina Delegation to the
Conference on National Affairs.
The Secretary of State has the following responsibilities:
1. Maintain custody of all legislation passed by the chambers.
2. Deliver each bill passed in each house to the Governor’s desk.
3. Receive an official record of the session proceedings from each of the houses.
4. Supervise the election of major officers for the following year.
Attorney General: Candidates for Youth Attorney General must have at least one
year’s prior experience in the YMCA Model Legislature. The Youth Attorney
Governor will be elected during the HSML&C.
The Youth Attorney General must attend leadership training as outlined in
the Candidate Code of Conduct. All delegates interested in running for Attorney
General are encouraged to apply to be a part of the South Carolina Delegation to
the Conference on National Affairs.
The Attorney General has the following responsibilities:
1. Advise the Youth Governor
2. Assists Secretary of State with primary elections
3. Works with Governor’s Staff to promote bills dealing with Criminal Justice
and law
4. Represents State of South Carolina on appeals finals and for bill challenges
Code of Conduct
1. Possession of drugs, alcohol, or
tobacco
1st
Degree
Offenses
2. Sex or inappropriate sexual activity
3. Violence
4. Stealing
5. Outside hotel after curfew
6. Riding in/driving any vehicle during
conference except during approved
travel and accompanied by advisor
or YMCA staff
7. Violence
10. Any negative or unauthorized use of
the YMCA name, logo, description of
the conference or the Youth in
Government trademark in any social
media format including, but not limited
to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,
Snapchat, Vine. This includes personal
social media accounts.
11. Any inappropriate or negative posts
and sharing on personal social media
concerning YMCA Youth in Government
events.
12. Any harassment of delegates or
advisors on social media, in person or
by use of any technological device.
8. Any type of disruptive behavior in
state buildings
9. Possession of weapons or firearms
2nd
Degree
Offenses
1. Outside assigned room after
curfew
6. Sitting in Blatt or Gressette
Building hallways
2. Male in female room, female in
male room, at any time
7. Failure to respond appropriately
to Resource Staff, Advisor, or
state employees’ requests or
directions
3. Non-participation/failure to attend
scheduled activities
4. Failure to wear name badge at all
times when outside hotel room
5. Badge-switching
3rd
Degree
Violation of these rules will result in
the delegate being sent home.
1. Disrespectful/inappropriate
behavior
2. Horseplay/roughhousing
Offenses 3. Excessive noise in hotels
The State Director and Advisor will confer
to determine punishment if delegate
violates these rules, which include being
sent home.
The delegate is given a warning;
after second warning, the
delegate is sent home.
Dress Code
Wednesday Evening – Code 1
Thursday (morning and afternoon) – Code 1
Thursday Evening Activities – Code 2
Friday (morning and afternoon) – Code 1
Friday Evening (Governor’s Banquet) – Code 3
Friday Evening (dance) – Optional Code 2
(Must bring clothes to change into – students not allowed back into rooms to
change)
Saturday Morning (closing convocation) – Code 4
Code 1 – Business Attire
 Young men must wear collared shirts, non-denim pants, dark shoes. Most
young men wear a shirt and tie, sports coat or suit. Baseball caps are not
allowed. Light-colored athletic shoes are not allowed.
 Young women – skirts and tops, dresses, suits, dressy pants and tops.
Code 2 – Casual
 Young men – khakis, blue jeans, nice t-shirts, athletic shoes, baseball caps
acceptable.
 Young women – khakis, jeans, t-shirts, casual tops acceptable. No halter
tops, spaghetti-strap tops, short shorts.
Code 3 – Business attire/dressy
 While regular Code 1 Business Attire is perfectly acceptable and appropriate
for banquet, many young ladies choose this time to dress in more formal
dresses (short or long).
 Following the dance, delegates may choose to change into casual clothes. In
order to do so, delegates must bring their change of clothes with them to the
banquet (in a grocery bag or “green” bag) and change clothes in the public
restrooms in the lobby area of the Marriott. A coat check area will be
available (with long lines) for delegates to check in their bags with their
dressy clothes.
Code 4 – Nice casual
 Saturday morning’s Closing Convocation takes place at the Marriott, and
delegates will be seated on the floor during the final convocation.
 Young men – khakis, nice jeans, tucked-in shirts (polo shirts, dress shirts).
 Young women – khakis, nice pants, long skirts with tights, other nice casual
outfits that delegates are comfortable wearing while sitting on the floor.
 Baseball caps are not allowed.
Packing List
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Professional dress is required for all day time activities (Thursday and
Friday).
Casual dress for night time activities.
Business casual attire is required for Saturday morning.
Attire for the Governor’s Banquet held on Friday night.
Money for food; the only meal provided Friday night for high school students.
Camera- Students may bring cameras, although the YMCA cannot be
responsible for any lost or damaged items.
Cell Phones- Students must refer to school policies regarding cell phones and
usage. If a school allows cell phones on trips, students may bring them.
Students will be required to follow conference cell phone usage protocol.
Laptops- Students may bring laptops, although the YMCA cannot be
responsible for lost or damaged items.
Local Area
Columbia, South Carolina, the capital of the state, houses all Youth in Government
activities during the Model Legislative Conference.
Locations within the City
There are many important locations that we use throughout the duration of the
conference:
 Marriott Hotel: houses many of our delegations as well as all night time
activities.
o 1200 Hampton Street
Columbia, South Carolina 29201
 Courtyard Marriott Hotel: houses the Middle School Model Legislative
Conference
o 603 Assembly Street
Columbia, South Carolina 29201
 Statehouse Grounds: houses day time activities
o 1101 Gervais Street
Columbia, South Carolina 29201
Area Resturants
 Al-Amir
 Moe’s Southwest Grill
o Middle Eastern
o Tex Mex
o 629 Main Street
o 625 South Main
 Atlanta Bread Company
 Sammie’s Deli
o Bakery/Café
o Deli
o 1307 Main Street
o 1621-A Main Street
 Brioso Fresh Pasta
 Sandy’s
o Pasta
o Hot Dogs
o 601 Main Street Suite D
o 825 Main Street
 Miyo’s on Main
 Simply Fresh
o Asian
o 1621-A Main Street
o 922 South Main
 Which Wich?
o Sandwiches
o 928 South Main Street
Sample Bill
Bill Title
List key entities that will be impacted by this proposal.
Describe why there is a need for your proposal. Include any necessary
supportive information, but not all the facts. During debate, you will
have an opportunity to present more facts.
State your proposal. Both outline and paragraph forms are accepted.
This portion of the proposal should contain enough to fully explain your
intentions.
State the expected results after your proposal is enacted.
Section I:
Section II:
Section III:
Section IV:
Bills should be
composed in Times
New Roman font;
the letterhead is 16
pt, while the body is
12 pt.
SOUTH CAROLINA YMCA
YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT
27th Annual Model Legislature
November 18th-21st, 2015
BILL ORIGINATES IN: Senate
BILL NUMBER:
RECOMMENDED FOR COMMITTEE:
AUTHORS: John Doe and Amy Smith
SCHOOL/CLUB: Greentown High School
Keep titles short;
save the “good
stuff” for the bill!
Remember: The Bill Number
and Committee spots are left
blank for the YMCA to fill in.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
An Act to Increase the Gasoline Tax
BE IT HEREBY ENACTED BY THE YMCA MODEL LEGISLATURE
OF SOUTH CAROLINA
Section 1: The current state gasoline tax of 16 cents per gallon would be increased to 21
cents per gallon, an increase of about 5 cents per gallon.
Section 2: The state tax will increase by 5 cents each year over a 10 year period. Thus,
the state gasoline tax by January 1, 2019 would stand at 66 cents per gallon.
Section 3: Because a tax such as this would disproportionally affect people below the
poverty line, “gasoline stamps” similar to food stamps would be made available
to people below the poverty line who can prove that they travel more than 15
miles to and from work each day.
Section 4: Revenue from this tax would fund:
A. The development of mass transit systems in major South Carolina cities;
B. Alternative energy sources such as wind and solar in the State;
C. “Gas Stamps” as required under Section 3.
Section 5: When signed into law, the first increase will take place on January 1, 2015.