Bill: Proposed Historic Landmarks Act

[W4RP4TH]

Author: Siege Stormbringer, MP
Sponsor: N/A
Type: Act of Parliament

A
BILL
TO
Immortalize Historic Landmarks and Builds
​

Preamble: Some structures are iconic and timeless. In order to honour their long-lasting impact, this Act makes it possible to grant them historical landmark status.

1. Short Title
   (a) This bill shall be referred to as the “Historic Landmarks Act.”
   (b) This bill was authored by Siege Stormbringer.
   
   
2. Definitions
   (a) “Build/Builds” shall be defined as a building/design constructed in either the Build World or in the survival world.
   (b) “HLS” shall be defined as an abbreviation for “Historical Landmark Status.”
   (c) “MUD” shall be defined as an abbreviation for the Ministry of Urban Development.
   
   
3. Qualification Requirements
   (a) In order to qualify for HLS, the structure must be at least six (6) months old at the time of application.
   (b) The structure must bear some cultural/historical significance to the community. (ex// often used as an event space or widely recognized by citizens)
   (c) Unless the structure predates and is thus exempt via grandfathering, it must be compliant with fire escape laws.
   
   
4. Application Process
   (a) Citizens applying for HLS must do so on the forums under the appropriate “Historical Landmarks” thread to be provided by the Ministry of Urban Development.
   (b) The plot owner must be the one to apply for HLS.
   (i) If the plot owner is not the original builder, they must receive written permission (ex// screenshot of message or contract) from the builder prior to applying unless the builder has been declared dead via the Death Act.
   (c) To be approved for HLS, the following must be included in the application:
   (i) The plot id (ex// b001),
   (ii) An image of the structure the HLS will be applied to,
   (iii) Any other name the structure may also be referred as (ex// Barbie tower),
   (iv) A written reason as to why the structure deserves the HLS designation,
   (v) References can be provided optionally for vouching.
   
   
5. Protections for HLS Designated Structures
   (a) Upon receiving HLS, actions pertaining to the plot the structure is located on must adhere to the following guidelines:
   (i) External appearance of the structure may not be altered in any major way without approval given by the Ministry of Urban Development first.
   (ii) In the event that the owner of the plot is declared dead, the structure is protected from being vaulted.
   (iii) In the event that a plot of a HLS designated structure is to be sold, the seller MUST disclose the HLS designation to the buyer.
   (b) To be approved to alter a HLS designated structure as mentioned in 5.a(i), the plot owner must open a ticket in the MUD discord server. Alteration requests must have the following information to be considered for approval:
   (i) A plan of the alteration (what exactly will be altered)
   (ii) Placement of the alteration via image or detailed explanation (ex// “South facing window on the second floor”).
   (iii) A timeline of when the alterations would be completed.
   (c) If approved for alteration as mentioned in 5.b, MUD must update the forum thread of the HLS designated structure to reflect the structure’s current state.
   (d) HLS designated structures are protected from any change in zoning/build guidelines/policies (Ex// style changes in districts or build height limit changes).
   
   
6. Reviews & Reporting
   (a) To ensure a HLS designated structure still meets cultural and historical standards, MUD Property Inspectors shall conduct reviews of the build every (at most) 4 months.
   (i) MUD has the discretion to choose the frequency of reviews (ex// monthly) so long as it is no longer than 4 months between said reviews.
   (b) Like with other plots, reports can be made to MUD via ticket about possible violations of HLS designated structures. Property Inspectors are empowered to visit the structure to verify the validity of the aforementioned report.
   (i) Should the claims be false, the report will be dismissed. MUD has the authority to issue fines to any false reporter, and said fines shall be up to but no more than $500. (ii) Should the claims be accurate, violations shall be handled as specified in Section 8.
   
   
7. Revocations
   (a) Should the owner of a HLS designated plot/structure no longer want the designation, they must inform MUD via ticket.
   (i) MUD has the discretion to attach fees to revoking HLS status if so desired.
   (ii) Upon owner-requested revocation, the page of the HLS designated structure shall be moved to a private archival channel or forum for record-keeping purposes.
   (b) An owner may initiate revocation in order to negotiate with MUD to replace
   the structure with a build of equal or higher architectural quality.
   (c) MUD may revoke HLS if the surrounding district’s zoning has changed significantly enough that the structure is detrimental to the area’s development or if the area would be detrimental to the structure/plot.
   (d) Should MUD determine that the HLS is no longer fitting for the
   structure, they may revoke the designation and move the page of the HLS designated structure to a private archival channel or forum for record-keeping purposes.
   
   
8. Violation Guidelines
   (a) Owners of HLS designated structures must adhere to the protections mentioned in Section 5 or be liable to penalties which will be administered by the Ministry of Urban Development.
   (b) Penalties will operate in a strike based system as follows:
   (i) First strike will be issuing the plot owner of the HLS designated structure a fine of $2,500.
   (ii) Second strike will be issuing the plot owner of the HLS designated structure a fine of $5,000.
   (iii) Third strike will be seizing ownership of the plot to protect the HLS designated structure and a fine of $8,000.
   (c) MUD is responsible for informing the plot owner via in-game mail of any violations and fines as well as giving official notice when seizing the plot.
   (d) If the plot of a HLS designated structure is seized, the former plot owner can appeal to regain ownership via a ticket in the MUD discord server after a cooldown period of 14 days from revocation.
   (i) MUD has the discretion to craft policies further specifying the appeal process and/or if any fees would be applied to return ownership.
   (e) Should an owner of a returned plot containing a HLS designated structure be found in violation of the protections as specified in Section 5, MUD has the discretion to:
   (i) Permanently seize the plot from the owner to protect the HLS designated structure,
   (ii) Permanently bar the plot owner from applying for HLS in the future in any capacity,
   (iii) These too can be appealed in the same way as mentioned in Section 8.d.
   (f) If the former owner of a seized HLS designated structure fails to appeal by the 30th day after the seizure, the plot is to remain in possession of the government to remain a HLS designated structure.
   (i) Should the government deem a HLS designation no longer applicable to a structure in their possession, the Minister of Urban Development, with permission from the Prime Minister, may revoke the HLS designation and list the structure/plot for auction.
   
   
9. Enactment
   (a) This Act comes into force immediately upon passage once preparations to the MUD subforum are completed.