During our January 4 meeting, the Colter Fellows took on the role of legislators, presenting innovative proposals for new laws that they drafted and sent to elected officials in their respective home countries and Israel. These proposals, spanning local and global contexts, sparked lively debates and deep reflections during our classroom discussion, and several received responses from elected officials stating they would consider the proposals. To read the collection of proposed laws, click here. Here’s a glimpse into the thought-provoking ideas they shared. Click on the title to read the proposed laws:

Maria Ellul (Malta)—Amending Malta’s General Elections Act to Enhance Electoral Transparency

This proposed legislative amendment aims to strengthen electoral transparency by enabling Maltese voters to access clear, standardized information about candidates’ backgrounds, qualifications, and public service experience. Under the current General Elections Act, candidates are validly nominated without any obligation to disclose comparable biographical, educational, or professional information to the public. The bill proposes amendments to the candidate nomination process by requiring the submission of a certified Candidate Information Form, making nomination validity conditional on its completion, and mandating the timely publication of this information by the Electoral Commission. By introducing clear procedures, verification timelines, and limited publication periods, the proposal aligns Malta’s electoral framework with EU best practices.

Adriel Friedler (US)—Prohibiting Forced Arbitration of Racial and Religious Discrimination Claims in Employment in Nevada

This legislative proposal aims to enhance employees’ protections by ensuring greater access to courts, transparency, and accountability. Under current Nevada employment practices, employees who have endured racial or religious discrimination are forced to resolve their claims through mandatory, binding arbitration as stipulated in their employment contracts. The bill proposal prohibits employers from enforcing arbitration on an employee as a condition of employment or of continuation of employment and renders any existing contractual provisions void and unenforceable. It also bars employer retaliation against employees who refuse to sign any agreement that contains a provision prohibited by the bill.

Nancye Kochen (Australia)—Strengthening Holocaust, Antisemitism, and Anti-Racism Education in Victoria, Australia

This legislative proposal aims to strengthen students’ understanding of the Holocaust, antisemitism, and racism in the state of Victoria. Currently, Holocaust education is being taught in Years 9–10, but there is no mandatory, age-appropriate framework that connects historical education to contemporary antisemitism or broader anti-racism education. The bill proposal introduces compulsory Holocaust, antisemitism, and anti-racism education for Years 7–9, integrates contemporary examples, and requires specialized teacher training to ensure effective and sensitive instruction. Together, these measures aim to reduce prejudice in schools, strengthen social cohesion, and better equip teachers and students to recognize and respond to rising hate.

Hanmin Oh (South Korea)—Codifying Digital Transparency and Rapid-Response Mechanisms to Counter Foreign Influence and Election Cognitive Warfare in South Korea

This legislative proposal aims to enhance electoral integrity and public confidence in South Korea’s elections by increasing transparency. Whilst South Korea’s electoral system is institutionally strong, coordinated influence operations targeting the digital environment can outpace authorities’ assessment and response by undermining the public’s trust. The bill proposal establishes a minimum-intrusion, maximum-transparency framework by standardizing disclosures for online political advertising, introducing registration and labeling for certain foreign influence activities, and codifying lawful data-sharing and coordination procedures among platforms and public institutions during election periods. It also creates a statutory basis for a joint election-period response mechanism, ensuring rapid, accountable, and non-partisan cooperation aimed at protecting electoral fairness.

Felicia Ferdinand (Germany)—Amending Germany’s Act on Regulatory Offences by Sanctioning Sexist Harassment in Public Spaces

This proposed legislative amendment aims to enhance personal safety and dignity in public spaces by providing clear legal protection against sexist harassment. At present, German law leaves individuals who experience sexist harassment in public without an effective or proportionate legal remedy unless higher criminal thresholds are met. The bill proposal introduces a new administrative offense under the Act of Regulatory Offenses that defines sexist harassment, specifies typical conduct, and establishes graduated fines for first and repeat violations. It also includes safeguards against overlap with criminal law and requires a post-implementation evaluation to assess enforcement, effectiveness, and potential displacement effects.

Bhavana Velpula (India)—Recognizing and Accommodating Minority Religious Holidays in Israel

This legislative proposal aims to protect the religious freedom of minority religious communities in Israel by ensuring meaningful recognition and accommodation of their religious holidays in work, education, and public life. Despite Israel’s diversity, there is currently no comprehensive statutory framework guaranteeing leave, flexibility, or protection from discrimination for the observance of minority religious holidays. The bill proposal formally recognizes minority religious holidays and grants employees and students a right to leave on religious grounds, as well as reasonable accommodation. It also imposes clear duties on public and private institutions while safeguarding individuals from minority religious communities from discrimination.