diff --git a/common/byteslice.go b/common/byteslice.go
index da42db810..be828f065 100644
--- a/common/byteslice.go
+++ b/common/byteslice.go
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
 package common
 
+import (
+	"bytes"
+)
+
 func Fingerprint(slice []byte) []byte {
 	fingerprint := make([]byte, 6)
 	copy(fingerprint, slice)
@@ -32,3 +36,9 @@ func LeftPadBytes(slice []byte, l int) []byte {
 	copy(padded[l-len(slice):], slice)
 	return padded
 }
+
+func TrimmedString(b []byte) string {
+	trimSet := string([]byte{0})
+	return string(bytes.TrimLeft(b, trimSet))
+
+}
diff --git a/common/word.go b/common/word.go
index 39e4dbb1c..4072482b8 100644
--- a/common/word.go
+++ b/common/word.go
@@ -12,11 +12,12 @@ var (
 
 type Word256 [32]byte
 
-func (w Word256) String() string       { return string(w[:]) }
-func (w Word256) Copy() Word256        { return w }
-func (w Word256) Bytes() []byte        { return w[:] } // copied.
-func (w Word256) Prefix(n int) []byte  { return w[:n] }
-func (w Word256) Postfix(n int) []byte { return w[32-n:] }
+func (w Word256) String() string        { return string(w[:]) }
+func (w Word256) TrimmedString() string { return TrimmedString(w.Bytes()) }
+func (w Word256) Copy() Word256         { return w }
+func (w Word256) Bytes() []byte         { return w[:] } // copied.
+func (w Word256) Prefix(n int) []byte   { return w[:n] }
+func (w Word256) Postfix(n int) []byte  { return w[32-n:] }
 func (w Word256) IsZero() bool {
 	accum := byte(0)
 	for _, byt := range w {
diff --git a/permission/types/permissions.go b/permission/types/permissions.go
index 2516efc4e..74242ae48 100644
--- a/permission/types/permissions.go
+++ b/permission/types/permissions.go
@@ -10,8 +10,6 @@ import (
 var (
 	GlobalPermissionsAddress    = Zero256[:20]
 	GlobalPermissionsAddress256 = Zero256
-	DougAddress                 = append([]byte{0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0}, []byte("THISISDOUG")...)
-	DougAddress256              = LeftPadWord256(DougAddress)
 )
 
 // A particular permission
@@ -19,19 +17,29 @@ type PermFlag uint64
 
 // Base permission references are like unix (the index is already bit shifted)
 const (
-	Root               PermFlag = 1 << iota // 1
-	Send                                    // 2
-	Call                                    // 4
-	CreateContract                          // 8
-	CreateAccount                           // 16
-	Bond                                    // 32
-	Name                                    // 64
-	NumBasePermissions uint     = 7         // NOTE Adjust this too.
+	// chain permissions
+	Root           PermFlag = 1 << iota // 1
+	Send                                // 2
+	Call                                // 4
+	CreateContract                      // 8
+	CreateAccount                       // 16
+	Bond                                // 32
+	Name                                // 64
 
-	TopBasePermFlag      PermFlag = 1 << (NumBasePermissions - 1)
-	AllBasePermFlags     PermFlag = TopBasePermFlag | (TopBasePermFlag - 1)
-	AllPermFlags         PermFlag = AllBasePermFlags | AllSNativePermFlags
-	DefaultBasePermFlags PermFlag = Send | Call | CreateContract | CreateAccount | Bond | Name
+	// moderator permissions
+	HasBase
+	SetBase
+	UnsetBase
+	SetGlobal
+	HasRole
+	AddRole
+	RmRole
+
+	NumPermissions uint = 14 // NOTE Adjust this too. We can support upto 64
+
+	TopPermFlag      PermFlag = 1 << (NumPermissions - 1)
+	AllPermFlags     PermFlag = TopPermFlag | (TopPermFlag - 1)
+	DefaultPermFlags PermFlag = Send | Call | CreateContract | CreateAccount | Bond | Name | HasBase | HasRole
 )
 
 var (
@@ -41,7 +49,7 @@ var (
 	}
 	DefaultAccountPermissions = AccountPermissions{
 		Base: BasePermissions{
-			Perms:  DefaultBasePermFlags,
+			Perms:  DefaultPermFlags,
 			SetBit: AllPermFlags,
 		},
 		Roles: []string{},
@@ -154,8 +162,10 @@ func (aP *AccountPermissions) RmRole(role string) bool {
 }
 
 //--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// string utilities
 
-func PermFlagToString(pf PermFlag) (perm string, err error) {
+// PermFlagToString assumes the permFlag is valid, else returns "#-UNKNOWN-#"
+func PermFlagToString(pf PermFlag) (perm string) {
 	switch pf {
 	case Root:
 		perm = "root"
@@ -171,8 +181,22 @@ func PermFlagToString(pf PermFlag) (perm string, err error) {
 		perm = "bond"
 	case Name:
 		perm = "name"
+	case HasBase:
+		perm = "has_base"
+	case SetBase:
+		perm = "set_base"
+	case UnsetBase:
+		perm = "unset_base"
+	case SetGlobal:
+		perm = "set_global"
+	case HasRole:
+		perm = "has_role"
+	case AddRole:
+		perm = "add_role"
+	case RmRole:
+		perm = "rm_role"
 	default:
-		err = fmt.Errorf("Unknown permission flag %b", pf)
+		perm = "#-UNKNOWN-#"
 	}
 	return
 }
@@ -193,6 +217,20 @@ func PermStringToFlag(perm string) (pf PermFlag, err error) {
 		pf = Bond
 	case "name":
 		pf = Name
+	case "has_base":
+		pf = HasBase
+	case "set_base":
+		pf = SetBase
+	case "unset_base":
+		pf = UnsetBase
+	case "set_global":
+		pf = SetGlobal
+	case "has_role":
+		pf = HasRole
+	case "add_role":
+		pf = AddRole
+	case "rm_role":
+		pf = RmRole
 	default:
 		err = fmt.Errorf("Unknown permission %s", perm)
 	}
diff --git a/permission/types/snatives.go b/permission/types/snatives.go
index be1d0b249..5057bd42d 100644
--- a/permission/types/snatives.go
+++ b/permission/types/snatives.go
@@ -1,23 +1,102 @@
 package types
 
-const (
-	// first 32 bits of BasePermission are for chain, second 32 are for snative
-	FirstSNativePermFlag PermFlag = 1 << 32
+import (
+	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/binary"
 )
 
-// we need to reset iota with no const block
-const (
-	// each snative has an associated permission flag
-	HasBasePerm PermFlag = FirstSNativePermFlag << iota
-	SetBasePerm
-	UnsetBasePerm
-	SetGlobalPerm
-	ClearBasePerm
-	HasRole
-	AddRole
-	RmRole
-	NumSNativePermissions uint = 8 // NOTE adjust this too
+//---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// PermissionsTx.PermArgs interface and argument encoding
 
-	TopSNativePermFlag  PermFlag = FirstSNativePermFlag << (NumSNativePermissions - 1)
-	AllSNativePermFlags PermFlag = (TopSNativePermFlag | (TopSNativePermFlag - 1)) &^ (FirstSNativePermFlag - 1)
+// Arguments are a registered interface in the PermissionsTx,
+// so binary handles the arguments and each permission function gets a type-byte
+// PermFlag() maps the type-byte to the permission
+// The account sending the PermissionsTx must have this PermFlag set
+type PermArgs interface {
+	PermFlag() PermFlag
+}
+
+const (
+	PermArgsTypeHasBase   = byte(0x01)
+	PermArgsTypeSetBase   = byte(0x02)
+	PermArgsTypeUnsetBase = byte(0x03)
+	PermArgsTypeSetGlobal = byte(0x04)
+	PermArgsTypeHasRole   = byte(0x05)
+	PermArgsTypeAddRole   = byte(0x06)
+	PermArgsTypeRmRole    = byte(0x07)
 )
+
+// for binary.readReflect
+var _ = binary.RegisterInterface(
+	struct{ PermArgs }{},
+	binary.ConcreteType{&HasBaseArgs{}, PermArgsTypeHasBase},
+	binary.ConcreteType{&SetBaseArgs{}, PermArgsTypeSetBase},
+	binary.ConcreteType{&UnsetBaseArgs{}, PermArgsTypeUnsetBase},
+	binary.ConcreteType{&SetGlobalArgs{}, PermArgsTypeSetGlobal},
+	binary.ConcreteType{&HasRoleArgs{}, PermArgsTypeHasRole},
+	binary.ConcreteType{&AddRoleArgs{}, PermArgsTypeAddRole},
+	binary.ConcreteType{&RmRoleArgs{}, PermArgsTypeRmRole},
+)
+
+type HasBaseArgs struct {
+	Address    []byte   `json:"address"`
+	Permission PermFlag `json:"permission"`
+}
+
+func (*HasBaseArgs) PermFlag() PermFlag {
+	return HasBase
+}
+
+type SetBaseArgs struct {
+	Address    []byte   `json:"address"`
+	Permission PermFlag `json:"permission"`
+	Value      bool     `json:"value"`
+}
+
+func (*SetBaseArgs) PermFlag() PermFlag {
+	return SetBase
+}
+
+type UnsetBaseArgs struct {
+	Address    []byte   `json:"address"`
+	Permission PermFlag `json:"permission"`
+}
+
+func (*UnsetBaseArgs) PermFlag() PermFlag {
+	return UnsetBase
+}
+
+type SetGlobalArgs struct {
+	Permission PermFlag `json:"permission"`
+	Value      bool     `json:"value"`
+}
+
+func (*SetGlobalArgs) PermFlag() PermFlag {
+	return SetGlobal
+}
+
+type HasRoleArgs struct {
+	Address []byte `json:"address"`
+	Role    string `json:"role"`
+}
+
+func (*HasRoleArgs) PermFlag() PermFlag {
+	return HasRole
+}
+
+type AddRoleArgs struct {
+	Address []byte `json:"address"`
+	Role    string `json:"role"`
+}
+
+func (*AddRoleArgs) PermFlag() PermFlag {
+	return AddRole
+}
+
+type RmRoleArgs struct {
+	Address []byte `json:"address"`
+	Role    string `json:"role"`
+}
+
+func (*RmRoleArgs) PermFlag() PermFlag {
+	return RmRole
+}
diff --git a/state/execution.go b/state/execution.go
index e04f92293..7b43c1202 100644
--- a/state/execution.go
+++ b/state/execution.go
@@ -392,7 +392,6 @@ func ExecTx(blockCache *BlockCache, tx types.Tx, runCall bool, evc events.Fireab
 			// this may be nil if we are still in mempool and contract was created in same block as this tx
 			// but that's fine, because the account will be created properly when the create tx runs in the block
 			// and then this won't return nil. otherwise, we take their fee
-			// it may also be nil if its an snative (not a "real" account)
 			outAcc = blockCache.GetAccount(tx.Address)
 		}
 
@@ -423,27 +422,26 @@ func ExecTx(blockCache *BlockCache, tx types.Tx, runCall bool, evc events.Fireab
 			if !createAccount {
 
 				if outAcc == nil || len(outAcc.Code) == 0 {
-					// check if its an snative
-					if _, ok := vm.RegisteredSNativeContracts[LeftPadWord256(tx.Address)]; ok {
-						// set the outAcc (simply a placeholder until we reach the call)
-						outAcc = &acm.Account{Address: tx.Address}
-					} else {
-						// if you call an account that doesn't exist
-						// or an account with no code then we take fees (sorry pal)
-						// NOTE: it's fine to create a contract and call it within one
-						// block (nonce will prevent re-ordering of those txs)
-						// but to create with one account and call with another
-						// you have to wait a block to avoid a re-ordering attack
-						// that will take your fees
-						inAcc.Balance -= tx.Fee
-						blockCache.UpdateAccount(inAcc)
-						if outAcc == nil {
-							log.Info(Fmt("Cannot find destination address %X. Deducting fee from caller", tx.Address))
-						} else {
-							log.Info(Fmt("Attempting to call an account (%X) with no code. Deducting fee from caller", tx.Address))
-						}
-						return types.ErrTxInvalidAddress
+					// check if its a native contract
+					if vm.RegisteredNativeContract(LeftPadWord256(tx.Address)) {
+						return fmt.Errorf("NativeContracts can not be called using CallTx. Use a contract or the appropriate tx type (eg. PermissionsTx, NameTx)")
 					}
+
+					// if you call an account that doesn't exist
+					// or an account with no code then we take fees (sorry pal)
+					// NOTE: it's fine to create a contract and call it within one
+					// block (nonce will prevent re-ordering of those txs)
+					// but to create with one account and call with another
+					// you have to wait a block to avoid a re-ordering attack
+					// that will take your fees
+					inAcc.Balance -= tx.Fee
+					blockCache.UpdateAccount(inAcc)
+					if outAcc == nil {
+						log.Info(Fmt("Cannot find destination address %X. Deducting fee from caller", tx.Address))
+					} else {
+						log.Info(Fmt("Attempting to call an account (%X) with no code. Deducting fee from caller", tx.Address))
+					}
+					return types.ErrTxInvalidAddress
 				}
 				callee = toVMAccount(outAcc)
 				code = callee.Code
@@ -697,6 +695,7 @@ func ExecTx(blockCache *BlockCache, tx types.Tx, runCall bool, evc events.Fireab
 			PanicCrisis("Failed to add validator")
 		}
 		if evc != nil {
+			// TODO: fire for all inputs
 			evc.FireEvent(types.EventStringBond(), tx)
 		}
 		return nil
@@ -793,6 +792,98 @@ func ExecTx(blockCache *BlockCache, tx types.Tx, runCall bool, evc events.Fireab
 		}
 		return nil
 
+	case *types.PermissionsTx:
+		var inAcc *acm.Account
+
+		// Validate input
+		inAcc = blockCache.GetAccount(tx.Input.Address)
+		if inAcc == nil {
+			log.Debug(Fmt("Can't find in account %X", tx.Input.Address))
+			return types.ErrTxInvalidAddress
+		}
+
+		permFlag := tx.PermArgs.PermFlag()
+		// check permission
+		if !HasPermission(blockCache, inAcc, permFlag) {
+			return fmt.Errorf("Account %X does not have moderator permission %s (%b)", tx.Input.Address, ptypes.PermFlagToString(permFlag), permFlag)
+		}
+
+		// pubKey should be present in either "inAcc" or "tx.Input"
+		if err := checkInputPubKey(inAcc, tx.Input); err != nil {
+			log.Debug(Fmt("Can't find pubkey for %X", tx.Input.Address))
+			return err
+		}
+		signBytes := acm.SignBytes(_s.ChainID, tx)
+		err := validateInput(inAcc, signBytes, tx.Input)
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Debug(Fmt("validateInput failed on %X: %v", tx.Input.Address, err))
+			return err
+		}
+
+		value := tx.Input.Amount
+
+		log.Debug("New PermissionsTx", "function", ptypes.PermFlagToString(permFlag), "args", tx.PermArgs)
+
+		var permAcc *acm.Account
+		switch args := tx.PermArgs.(type) {
+		case *ptypes.HasBaseArgs:
+			// this one doesn't make sense from txs
+			return fmt.Errorf("HasBase is for contracts, not humans. Just look at the blockchain")
+		case *ptypes.SetBaseArgs:
+			if permAcc = blockCache.GetAccount(args.Address); permAcc == nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("Trying to update permissions for unknown account %X", args.Address)
+			}
+			err = permAcc.Permissions.Base.Set(args.Permission, args.Value)
+		case *ptypes.UnsetBaseArgs:
+			if permAcc = blockCache.GetAccount(args.Address); permAcc == nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("Trying to update permissions for unknown account %X", args.Address)
+			}
+			err = permAcc.Permissions.Base.Unset(args.Permission)
+		case *ptypes.SetGlobalArgs:
+			if permAcc = blockCache.GetAccount(ptypes.GlobalPermissionsAddress); permAcc == nil {
+				PanicSanity("can't find global permissions account")
+			}
+			err = permAcc.Permissions.Base.Set(args.Permission, args.Value)
+		case *ptypes.HasRoleArgs:
+			return fmt.Errorf("HasRole is for contracts, not humans. Just look at the blockchain")
+		case *ptypes.AddRoleArgs:
+			if permAcc = blockCache.GetAccount(args.Address); permAcc == nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("Trying to update roles for unknown account %X", args.Address)
+			}
+			if !permAcc.Permissions.AddRole(args.Role) {
+				return fmt.Errorf("Role (%s) already exists for account %X", args.Role, args.Address)
+			}
+		case *ptypes.RmRoleArgs:
+			if permAcc = blockCache.GetAccount(args.Address); permAcc == nil {
+				return fmt.Errorf("Trying to update roles for unknown account %X", args.Address)
+			}
+			if !permAcc.Permissions.RmRole(args.Role) {
+				return fmt.Errorf("Role (%s) does not exist for account %X", args.Role, args.Address)
+			}
+		default:
+			PanicSanity(Fmt("invalid permission function: %s", ptypes.PermFlagToString(permFlag)))
+		}
+
+		// TODO: maybe we want to take funds on error and allow txs in that don't do anythingi?
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		// Good!
+		inAcc.Sequence += 1
+		inAcc.Balance -= value
+		blockCache.UpdateAccount(inAcc)
+		if permAcc != nil {
+			blockCache.UpdateAccount(permAcc)
+		}
+
+		if evc != nil {
+			evc.FireEvent(types.EventStringAccInput(tx.Input.Address), tx)
+			evc.FireEvent(types.EventStringPermissions(ptypes.PermFlagToString(permFlag)), tx)
+		}
+
+		return nil
+
 	default:
 		// binary decoding should not let this happen
 		PanicSanity("Unknown Tx type")
@@ -804,7 +895,7 @@ func ExecTx(blockCache *BlockCache, tx types.Tx, runCall bool, evc events.Fireab
 
 // Get permission on an account or fall back to global value
 func HasPermission(state AccountGetter, acc *acm.Account, perm ptypes.PermFlag) bool {
-	if perm > ptypes.AllBasePermFlags {
+	if perm > ptypes.AllPermFlags {
 		PanicSanity("Checking an unknown permission in state should never happen")
 	}
 
@@ -813,17 +904,19 @@ func HasPermission(state AccountGetter, acc *acm.Account, perm ptypes.PermFlag)
 		// this needs to fall back to global or do some other specific things
 		// eg. a bondAcc may be nil and so can only bond if global bonding is true
 	}
+	permString := ptypes.PermFlagToString(perm)
 
 	v, err := acc.Permissions.Base.Get(perm)
 	if _, ok := err.(ptypes.ErrValueNotSet); ok {
-		log.Info("Account does not have permission", "account", acc, "accPermissions", acc.Permissions, "perm", perm)
 		if state == nil {
 			PanicSanity("All known global permissions should be set!")
 		}
-		log.Info("Querying GlobalPermissionsAddress")
+		log.Info("Permission for account is not set. Querying GlobalPermissionsAddress", "perm", permString)
 		return HasPermission(nil, state.GetAccount(ptypes.GlobalPermissionsAddress), perm)
+	} else if v {
+		log.Info("Account has permission", "address", Fmt("%X", acc.Address), "perm", permString)
 	} else {
-		log.Info("Account has permission", "account", acc, "accPermissions", acc.Permissions, "perm", perm)
+		log.Info("Account does not have permission", "address", Fmt("%X", acc.Address), "perm", permString)
 	}
 	return v
 }
diff --git a/state/permissions_test.go b/state/permissions_test.go
index ad3199a9c..162fb154b 100644
--- a/state/permissions_test.go
+++ b/state/permissions_test.go
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/events"
 	ptypes "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/permission/types"
 	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/types"
-	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/vm"
 )
 
 /*
@@ -344,7 +343,7 @@ func TestCallPermission(t *testing.T) {
 
 	//------------------------------
 	// call to simple contract
-	fmt.Println("##### SIMPLE CONTRACT")
+	fmt.Println("\n##### SIMPLE CONTRACT")
 
 	// create simple contract
 	simpleContractAddr := NewContractAddress(user[0].Address, 100)
@@ -367,14 +366,14 @@ func TestCallPermission(t *testing.T) {
 
 	//----------------------------------------------------------
 	// call to contract that calls simple contract - without perm
-	fmt.Println("##### CALL TO SIMPLE CONTRACT (FAIL)")
+	fmt.Println("\n##### CALL TO SIMPLE CONTRACT (FAIL)")
 
 	// create contract that calls the simple contract
 	contractCode := callContractCode(simpleContractAddr)
 	caller1ContractAddr := NewContractAddress(user[0].Address, 101)
 	caller1Acc := &acm.Account{
 		Address:     caller1ContractAddr,
-		Balance:     0,
+		Balance:     10000,
 		Code:        contractCode,
 		Sequence:    0,
 		StorageRoot: Zero256.Bytes(),
@@ -394,7 +393,7 @@ func TestCallPermission(t *testing.T) {
 
 	//----------------------------------------------------------
 	// call to contract that calls simple contract - with perm
-	fmt.Println("##### CALL TO SIMPLE CONTRACT (PASS)")
+	fmt.Println("\n##### CALL TO SIMPLE CONTRACT (PASS)")
 
 	// A single input, having the permission, and the contract has permission
 	caller1Acc.Permissions.Base.Set(ptypes.Call, true)
@@ -412,7 +411,7 @@ func TestCallPermission(t *testing.T) {
 	// call to contract that calls contract that calls simple contract - without perm
 	// caller1Contract calls simpleContract. caller2Contract calls caller1Contract.
 	// caller1Contract does not have call perms, but caller2Contract does.
-	fmt.Println("##### CALL TO CONTRACT CALLING SIMPLE CONTRACT (FAIL)")
+	fmt.Println("\n##### CALL TO CONTRACT CALLING SIMPLE CONTRACT (FAIL)")
 
 	contractCode2 := callContractCode(caller1ContractAddr)
 	caller2ContractAddr := NewContractAddress(user[0].Address, 102)
@@ -442,7 +441,7 @@ func TestCallPermission(t *testing.T) {
 	// call to contract that calls contract that calls simple contract - without perm
 	// caller1Contract calls simpleContract. caller2Contract calls caller1Contract.
 	// both caller1 and caller2 have permission
-	fmt.Println("##### CALL TO CONTRACT CALLING SIMPLE CONTRACT (PASS)")
+	fmt.Println("\n##### CALL TO CONTRACT CALLING SIMPLE CONTRACT (PASS)")
 
 	caller1Acc.Permissions.Base.Set(ptypes.Call, true)
 	blockCache.UpdateAccount(caller1Acc)
@@ -467,7 +466,7 @@ func TestCreatePermission(t *testing.T) {
 
 	//------------------------------
 	// create a simple contract
-	fmt.Println("##### CREATE SIMPLE CONTRACT")
+	fmt.Println("\n##### CREATE SIMPLE CONTRACT")
 
 	contractCode := []byte{0x60}
 	createCode := wrapContractForCreate(contractCode)
@@ -490,7 +489,7 @@ func TestCreatePermission(t *testing.T) {
 
 	//------------------------------
 	// create contract that uses the CREATE op
-	fmt.Println("##### CREATE FACTORY")
+	fmt.Println("\n##### CREATE FACTORY")
 
 	contractCode = []byte{0x60}
 	createCode = wrapContractForCreate(contractCode)
@@ -515,7 +514,7 @@ func TestCreatePermission(t *testing.T) {
 
 	//------------------------------
 	// call the contract (should FAIL)
-	fmt.Println("###### CALL THE FACTORY (FAIL)")
+	fmt.Println("\n###### CALL THE FACTORY (FAIL)")
 
 	// A single input, having the permission, should succeed
 	tx, _ = types.NewCallTx(blockCache, user[0].PubKey, contractAddr, createCode, 100, 100, 100)
@@ -528,7 +527,7 @@ func TestCreatePermission(t *testing.T) {
 
 	//------------------------------
 	// call the contract (should PASS)
-	fmt.Println("###### CALL THE FACTORY (PASS)")
+	fmt.Println("\n###### CALL THE FACTORY (PASS)")
 
 	contractAcc.Permissions.Base.Set(ptypes.CreateContract, true)
 	blockCache.UpdateAccount(contractAcc)
@@ -543,7 +542,7 @@ func TestCreatePermission(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 
 	//--------------------------------
-	fmt.Println("##### CALL to empty address")
+	fmt.Println("\n##### CALL to empty address")
 	zeroAddr := LeftPadBytes([]byte{}, 20)
 	code := callContractCode(zeroAddr)
 
@@ -837,6 +836,9 @@ func TestCreateAccountPermission(t *testing.T) {
 
 }
 
+// holla at my boy
+var DougAddress = append([]byte{0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0}, []byte("THISISDOUG")...)
+
 func TestSNativeCALL(t *testing.T) {
 	stateDB := dbm.GetDB("state")
 	genDoc := newBaseGenDoc(PermsAllFalse, PermsAllFalse)
@@ -852,7 +854,7 @@ func TestSNativeCALL(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// make the main contract once
 	doug := &acm.Account{
-		Address:     ptypes.DougAddress,
+		Address:     DougAddress,
 		Balance:     0,
 		Code:        nil,
 		Sequence:    0,
@@ -860,11 +862,12 @@ func TestSNativeCALL(t *testing.T) {
 		Permissions: ptypes.ZeroAccountPermissions,
 	}
 	doug.Permissions.Base.Set(ptypes.Call, true)
+	//doug.Permissions.Base.Set(ptypes.HasBase, true)
 	blockCache.UpdateAccount(doug)
 
-	fmt.Println("#### hasBasePerm")
-	// hasBasePerm
-	snativeAddress, data := snativePermTestInput("hasBasePerm", user[3], ptypes.Bond, false)
+	fmt.Println("\n#### HasBase")
+	// HasBase
+	snativeAddress, data := snativePermTestInputCALL("has_base", user[3], ptypes.Bond, false)
 	testSNativeCALLExpectFail(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data)
 	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error {
 		// return value should be true or false as a 32 byte array...
@@ -874,12 +877,12 @@ func TestSNativeCALL(t *testing.T) {
 		return nil
 	})
 
-	fmt.Println("#### setBasePerm")
-	// setBasePerm
-	snativeAddress, data = snativePermTestInput("setBasePerm", user[3], ptypes.Bond, false)
+	fmt.Println("\n#### SetBase")
+	// SetBase
+	snativeAddress, data = snativePermTestInputCALL("set_base", user[3], ptypes.Bond, false)
 	testSNativeCALLExpectFail(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data)
 	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error { return nil })
-	snativeAddress, data = snativePermTestInput("hasBasePerm", user[3], ptypes.Bond, false)
+	snativeAddress, data = snativePermTestInputCALL("has_base", user[3], ptypes.Bond, false)
 	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error {
 		// return value should be true or false as a 32 byte array...
 		if !IsZeros(ret) {
@@ -887,9 +890,9 @@ func TestSNativeCALL(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 		return nil
 	})
-	snativeAddress, data = snativePermTestInput("setBasePerm", user[3], ptypes.CreateContract, true)
+	snativeAddress, data = snativePermTestInputCALL("set_base", user[3], ptypes.CreateContract, true)
 	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error { return nil })
-	snativeAddress, data = snativePermTestInput("hasBasePerm", user[3], ptypes.CreateContract, false)
+	snativeAddress, data = snativePermTestInputCALL("has_base", user[3], ptypes.CreateContract, false)
 	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error {
 		// return value should be true or false as a 32 byte array...
 		if !IsZeros(ret[:31]) || ret[31] != byte(1) {
@@ -898,12 +901,12 @@ func TestSNativeCALL(t *testing.T) {
 		return nil
 	})
 
-	fmt.Println("#### unsetBasePerm")
-	// unsetBasePerm
-	snativeAddress, data = snativePermTestInput("unsetBasePerm", user[3], ptypes.CreateContract, false)
+	fmt.Println("\n#### UnsetBase")
+	// UnsetBase
+	snativeAddress, data = snativePermTestInputCALL("unset_base", user[3], ptypes.CreateContract, false)
 	testSNativeCALLExpectFail(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data)
 	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error { return nil })
-	snativeAddress, data = snativePermTestInput("hasBasePerm", user[3], ptypes.CreateContract, false)
+	snativeAddress, data = snativePermTestInputCALL("has_base", user[3], ptypes.CreateContract, false)
 	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error {
 		if !IsZeros(ret) {
 			return fmt.Errorf("Expected 0. Got %X", ret)
@@ -911,12 +914,12 @@ func TestSNativeCALL(t *testing.T) {
 		return nil
 	})
 
-	fmt.Println("#### setGlobalPerm")
-	// setGlobalPerm
-	snativeAddress, data = snativePermTestInput("setGlobalPerm", user[3], ptypes.CreateContract, true)
+	fmt.Println("\n#### SetGlobal")
+	// SetGlobalPerm
+	snativeAddress, data = snativePermTestInputCALL("set_global", user[3], ptypes.CreateContract, true)
 	testSNativeCALLExpectFail(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data)
 	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error { return nil })
-	snativeAddress, data = snativePermTestInput("hasBasePerm", user[3], ptypes.CreateContract, false)
+	snativeAddress, data = snativePermTestInputCALL("has_base", user[3], ptypes.CreateContract, false)
 	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error {
 		// return value should be true or false as a 32 byte array...
 		if !IsZeros(ret[:31]) || ret[31] != byte(1) {
@@ -925,12 +928,9 @@ func TestSNativeCALL(t *testing.T) {
 		return nil
 	})
 
-	// clearBasePerm
-	// TODO
-
-	fmt.Println("#### hasRole")
-	// hasRole
-	snativeAddress, data = snativeRoleTestInput("hasRole", user[3], "bumble")
+	fmt.Println("\n#### HasRole")
+	// HasRole
+	snativeAddress, data = snativeRoleTestInputCALL("has_role", user[3], "bumble")
 	testSNativeCALLExpectFail(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data)
 	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error {
 		if !IsZeros(ret[:31]) || ret[31] != byte(1) {
@@ -939,19 +939,19 @@ func TestSNativeCALL(t *testing.T) {
 		return nil
 	})
 
-	fmt.Println("#### addRole")
-	// addRole
-	snativeAddress, data = snativeRoleTestInput("hasRole", user[3], "chuck")
+	fmt.Println("\n#### AddRole")
+	// AddRole
+	snativeAddress, data = snativeRoleTestInputCALL("has_role", user[3], "chuck")
 	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error {
 		if !IsZeros(ret) {
 			return fmt.Errorf("Expected 0. Got %X", ret)
 		}
 		return nil
 	})
-	snativeAddress, data = snativeRoleTestInput("addRole", user[3], "chuck")
+	snativeAddress, data = snativeRoleTestInputCALL("add_role", user[3], "chuck")
 	testSNativeCALLExpectFail(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data)
 	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error { return nil })
-	snativeAddress, data = snativeRoleTestInput("hasRole", user[3], "chuck")
+	snativeAddress, data = snativeRoleTestInputCALL("has_role", user[3], "chuck")
 	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error {
 		if !IsZeros(ret[:31]) || ret[31] != byte(1) {
 			return fmt.Errorf("Expected 1. Got %X", ret)
@@ -959,12 +959,12 @@ func TestSNativeCALL(t *testing.T) {
 		return nil
 	})
 
-	fmt.Println("#### rmRole")
-	// rmRole
-	snativeAddress, data = snativeRoleTestInput("rmRole", user[3], "chuck")
+	fmt.Println("\n#### RmRole")
+	// RmRole
+	snativeAddress, data = snativeRoleTestInputCALL("rm_role", user[3], "chuck")
 	testSNativeCALLExpectFail(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data)
 	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error { return nil })
-	snativeAddress, data = snativeRoleTestInput("hasRole", user[3], "chuck")
+	snativeAddress, data = snativeRoleTestInputCALL("has_role", user[3], "chuck")
 	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error {
 		if !IsZeros(ret) {
 			return fmt.Errorf("Expected 0. Got %X", ret)
@@ -973,7 +973,7 @@ func TestSNativeCALL(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 }
 
-func TestSNativeCallTx(t *testing.T) {
+func TestSNativeTx(t *testing.T) {
 	stateDB := dbm.GetDB("state")
 	genDoc := newBaseGenDoc(PermsAllFalse, PermsAllFalse)
 	genDoc.Accounts[0].Permissions.Base.Set(ptypes.Call, true) // give the 0 account permission
@@ -984,123 +984,70 @@ func TestSNativeCallTx(t *testing.T) {
 	blockCache := NewBlockCache(st)
 
 	//----------------------------------------------------------
-	// Test CallTx to SNative contracts
-	var doug *acm.Account = nil
+	// Test SNativeTx
 
-	fmt.Println("#### hasBasePerm")
-	// hasBasePerm
-	snativeAddress, data := snativePermTestInput("hasBasePerm", user[3], ptypes.Bond, false)
-	testSNativeCALLExpectFail(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data)
-	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error {
-		// return value should be true or false as a 32 byte array...
-		if !IsZeros(ret[:31]) || ret[31] != byte(1) {
-			return fmt.Errorf("Expected 1. Got %X", ret)
-		}
-		return nil
-	})
+	fmt.Println("\n#### SetBase")
+	// SetBase
+	snativeArgs := snativePermTestInputTx("set_base", user[3], ptypes.Bond, false)
+	testSNativeTxExpectFail(t, blockCache, snativeArgs)
+	testSNativeTxExpectPass(t, blockCache, ptypes.SetBase, snativeArgs)
+	acc := blockCache.GetAccount(user[3].Address)
+	if v, _ := acc.Permissions.Base.Get(ptypes.Bond); v {
+		t.Fatal("expected permission to be set false")
+	}
+	snativeArgs = snativePermTestInputTx("set_base", user[3], ptypes.CreateContract, true)
+	testSNativeTxExpectPass(t, blockCache, ptypes.SetBase, snativeArgs)
+	acc = blockCache.GetAccount(user[3].Address)
+	if v, _ := acc.Permissions.Base.Get(ptypes.CreateContract); !v {
+		t.Fatal("expected permission to be set true")
+	}
 
-	fmt.Println("#### setBasePerm")
-	// setBasePerm
-	snativeAddress, data = snativePermTestInput("setBasePerm", user[3], ptypes.Bond, false)
-	testSNativeCALLExpectFail(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data)
-	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error { return nil })
-	snativeAddress, data = snativePermTestInput("hasBasePerm", user[3], ptypes.Bond, false)
-	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error {
-		// return value should be true or false as a 32 byte array...
-		if !IsZeros(ret) {
-			return fmt.Errorf("Expected 0. Got %X", ret)
-		}
-		return nil
-	})
-	snativeAddress, data = snativePermTestInput("setBasePerm", user[3], ptypes.CreateContract, true)
-	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error { return nil })
-	snativeAddress, data = snativePermTestInput("hasBasePerm", user[3], ptypes.CreateContract, false)
-	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error {
-		// return value should be true or false as a 32 byte array...
-		if !IsZeros(ret[:31]) || ret[31] != byte(1) {
-			return fmt.Errorf("Expected 1. Got %X", ret)
-		}
-		return nil
-	})
+	fmt.Println("\n#### UnsetBase")
+	// UnsetBase
+	snativeArgs = snativePermTestInputTx("unset_base", user[3], ptypes.CreateContract, false)
+	testSNativeTxExpectFail(t, blockCache, snativeArgs)
+	testSNativeTxExpectPass(t, blockCache, ptypes.UnsetBase, snativeArgs)
+	acc = blockCache.GetAccount(user[3].Address)
+	if v, _ := acc.Permissions.Base.Get(ptypes.CreateContract); v {
+		t.Fatal("expected permission to be set false")
+	}
 
-	fmt.Println("#### unsetBasePerm")
-	// unsetBasePerm
-	snativeAddress, data = snativePermTestInput("unsetBasePerm", user[3], ptypes.CreateContract, false)
-	testSNativeCALLExpectFail(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data)
-	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error { return nil })
-	snativeAddress, data = snativePermTestInput("hasBasePerm", user[3], ptypes.CreateContract, false)
-	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error {
-		if !IsZeros(ret) {
-			return fmt.Errorf("Expected 0. Got %X", ret)
-		}
-		return nil
-	})
+	fmt.Println("\n#### SetGlobal")
+	// SetGlobalPerm
+	snativeArgs = snativePermTestInputTx("set_global", user[3], ptypes.CreateContract, true)
+	testSNativeTxExpectFail(t, blockCache, snativeArgs)
+	testSNativeTxExpectPass(t, blockCache, ptypes.SetGlobal, snativeArgs)
+	acc = blockCache.GetAccount(ptypes.GlobalPermissionsAddress)
+	if v, _ := acc.Permissions.Base.Get(ptypes.CreateContract); !v {
+		t.Fatal("expected permission to be set true")
+	}
 
-	fmt.Println("#### setGlobalPerm")
-	// setGlobalPerm
-	snativeAddress, data = snativePermTestInput("setGlobalPerm", user[3], ptypes.CreateContract, true)
-	testSNativeCALLExpectFail(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data)
-	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error { return nil })
-	snativeAddress, data = snativePermTestInput("hasBasePerm", user[3], ptypes.CreateContract, false)
-	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error {
-		// return value should be true or false as a 32 byte array...
-		if !IsZeros(ret[:31]) || ret[31] != byte(1) {
-			return fmt.Errorf("Expected 1. Got %X", ret)
-		}
-		return nil
-	})
+	fmt.Println("\n#### AddRole")
+	// AddRole
+	snativeArgs = snativeRoleTestInputTx("add_role", user[3], "chuck")
+	testSNativeTxExpectFail(t, blockCache, snativeArgs)
+	testSNativeTxExpectPass(t, blockCache, ptypes.AddRole, snativeArgs)
+	acc = blockCache.GetAccount(user[3].Address)
+	if v := acc.Permissions.HasRole("chuck"); !v {
+		t.Fatal("expected role to be added")
+	}
 
-	// clearBasePerm
-	// TODO
-
-	fmt.Println("#### hasRole")
-	// hasRole
-	snativeAddress, data = snativeRoleTestInput("hasRole", user[3], "bumble")
-	testSNativeCALLExpectFail(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data)
-	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error {
-		if !IsZeros(ret[:31]) || ret[31] != byte(1) {
-			return fmt.Errorf("Expected 1. Got %X", ret)
-		}
-		return nil
-	})
-
-	fmt.Println("#### addRole")
-	// addRole
-	snativeAddress, data = snativeRoleTestInput("hasRole", user[3], "chuck")
-	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error {
-		if !IsZeros(ret) {
-			return fmt.Errorf("Expected 0. Got %X", ret)
-		}
-		return nil
-	})
-	snativeAddress, data = snativeRoleTestInput("addRole", user[3], "chuck")
-	testSNativeCALLExpectFail(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data)
-	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error { return nil })
-	snativeAddress, data = snativeRoleTestInput("hasRole", user[3], "chuck")
-	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error {
-		if !IsZeros(ret[:31]) || ret[31] != byte(1) {
-			return fmt.Errorf("Expected 1. Got %X", ret)
-		}
-		return nil
-	})
-
-	fmt.Println("#### rmRole")
-	// rmRole
-	snativeAddress, data = snativeRoleTestInput("rmRole", user[3], "chuck")
-	testSNativeCALLExpectFail(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data)
-	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error { return nil })
-	snativeAddress, data = snativeRoleTestInput("hasRole", user[3], "chuck")
-	testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, func(ret []byte) error {
-		if !IsZeros(ret) {
-			return fmt.Errorf("Expected 0. Got %X", ret)
-		}
-		return nil
-	})
+	fmt.Println("\n#### RmRole")
+	// RmRole
+	snativeArgs = snativeRoleTestInputTx("rm_role", user[3], "chuck")
+	testSNativeTxExpectFail(t, blockCache, snativeArgs)
+	testSNativeTxExpectPass(t, blockCache, ptypes.RmRole, snativeArgs)
+	acc = blockCache.GetAccount(user[3].Address)
+	if v := acc.Permissions.HasRole("chuck"); v {
+		t.Fatal("expected role to be removed")
+	}
 }
 
 //-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // helpers
 
+var ExceptionTimeOut = "timed out waiting for event"
+
 // run ExecTx and wait for the Receive event on given addr
 // returns the msg data and an error/exception
 func execTxWaitEvent(t *testing.T, blockCache *BlockCache, tx types.Tx, eventid string) (interface{}, string) {
@@ -1117,7 +1064,14 @@ func execTxWaitEvent(t *testing.T, blockCache *BlockCache, tx types.Tx, eventid
 		}
 		evc.Flush()
 	}()
-	msg := <-ch
+	ticker := time.NewTicker(5 * time.Second)
+	var msg interface{}
+	select {
+	case msg = <-ch:
+	case <-ticker.C:
+		return nil, ExceptionTimeOut
+	}
+
 	switch ev := msg.(type) {
 	case types.EventMsgCallTx:
 		return ev, ev.Exception
@@ -1130,52 +1084,77 @@ func execTxWaitEvent(t *testing.T, blockCache *BlockCache, tx types.Tx, eventid
 	}
 }
 
-// give a contract perms for an snative, call it, it calls the snative, ensure the check funciton (f) succeeds
-func testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t *testing.T, blockCache *BlockCache, doug *acm.Account, snativeAddress, data []byte, f func([]byte) error) {
-	perm := vm.RegisteredSNativePermissions[LeftPadWord256(snativeAddress)]
-	var addr []byte
-	if doug != nil {
-		contractCode := callContractCode(snativeAddress)
-		doug.Code = contractCode
-		doug.Permissions.Base.Set(perm, true)
-		blockCache.UpdateAccount(doug)
-		addr = doug.Address
-	} else {
-		acc := blockCache.GetAccount(user[0].Address)
-		acc.Permissions.Base.Set(perm, true)
-		blockCache.UpdateAccount(acc)
-		addr = snativeAddress
-	}
-	tx, _ := types.NewCallTx(blockCache, user[0].PubKey, addr, data, 100, 10000, 100)
-	tx.Sign(chainID, user[0])
-	ev, exception := execTxWaitEvent(t, blockCache, tx, types.EventStringAccReceive(snativeAddress)) //
-	if exception != "" {
-		t.Fatal("Unexpected exception", exception)
-	}
-	evv := ev.(types.EventMsgCall)
-	ret := evv.Return
-	if err := f(ret); err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
+// give a contract perms for an snative, call it, it calls the snative, but shouldn't have permission
+func testSNativeCALLExpectFail(t *testing.T, blockCache *BlockCache, doug *acm.Account, snativeAddress, data []byte) {
+	testSNativeCALL(t, false, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, nil)
 }
 
-// assumes the contract has not been given the permission. calls the it, it calls the snative, expects to fail
-func testSNativeCALLExpectFail(t *testing.T, blockCache *BlockCache, doug *acm.Account, snativeAddress, data []byte) {
-	var addr []byte
-	if doug != nil {
-		contractCode := callContractCode(snativeAddress)
-		doug.Code = contractCode
-		blockCache.UpdateAccount(doug)
-		addr = doug.Address
-	} else {
-		addr = snativeAddress
+// give a contract perms for an snative, call it, it calls the snative, ensure the check funciton (f) succeeds
+func testSNativeCALLExpectPass(t *testing.T, blockCache *BlockCache, doug *acm.Account, snativeAddress, data []byte, f func([]byte) error) {
+	testSNativeCALL(t, true, blockCache, doug, snativeAddress, data, f)
+}
+
+func testSNativeCALL(t *testing.T, expectPass bool, blockCache *BlockCache, doug *acm.Account, snativeAddress, data []byte, f func([]byte) error) {
+	if expectPass {
+		perm, err := ptypes.PermStringToFlag(TrimmedString(snativeAddress))
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		doug.Permissions.Base.Set(perm, true)
 	}
+	var addr []byte
+	contractCode := callContractCode(snativeAddress)
+	doug.Code = contractCode
+	blockCache.UpdateAccount(doug)
+	addr = doug.Address
 	tx, _ := types.NewCallTx(blockCache, user[0].PubKey, addr, data, 100, 10000, 100)
 	tx.Sign(chainID, user[0])
 	fmt.Println("subscribing to", types.EventStringAccReceive(snativeAddress))
-	_, exception := execTxWaitEvent(t, blockCache, tx, types.EventStringAccReceive(snativeAddress))
-	if exception == "" {
-		t.Fatal("Expected exception")
+	ev, exception := execTxWaitEvent(t, blockCache, tx, types.EventStringAccReceive(snativeAddress))
+	if exception == ExceptionTimeOut {
+		t.Fatal("Timed out waiting for event")
+	}
+	if expectPass {
+		if exception != "" {
+			t.Fatal("Unexpected exception", exception)
+		}
+		evv := ev.(types.EventMsgCall)
+		ret := evv.Return
+		if err := f(ret); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	} else {
+		if exception == "" {
+			t.Fatal("Expected exception")
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func testSNativeTxExpectFail(t *testing.T, blockCache *BlockCache, snativeArgs ptypes.PermArgs) {
+	testSNativeTx(t, false, blockCache, 0, snativeArgs)
+}
+
+func testSNativeTxExpectPass(t *testing.T, blockCache *BlockCache, perm ptypes.PermFlag, snativeArgs ptypes.PermArgs) {
+	testSNativeTx(t, true, blockCache, perm, snativeArgs)
+}
+
+func testSNativeTx(t *testing.T, expectPass bool, blockCache *BlockCache, perm ptypes.PermFlag, snativeArgs ptypes.PermArgs) {
+	if expectPass {
+		acc := blockCache.GetAccount(user[0].Address)
+		acc.Permissions.Base.Set(perm, true)
+		blockCache.UpdateAccount(acc)
+	}
+	tx, _ := types.NewPermissionsTx(blockCache, user[0].PubKey, snativeArgs)
+	tx.Sign(chainID, user[0])
+	err := ExecTx(blockCache, tx, true, nil)
+	if expectPass {
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal("Unexpected exception", err)
+		}
+	} else {
+		if err == nil {
+			t.Fatal("Expected exception")
+		}
 	}
 }
 
@@ -1189,31 +1168,56 @@ func boolToWord256(v bool) Word256 {
 	return LeftPadWord256([]byte{vint})
 }
 
-func snativePermTestInput(name string, user *acm.PrivAccount, perm ptypes.PermFlag, val bool) (addr []byte, data []byte) {
+func snativePermTestInputCALL(name string, user *acm.PrivAccount, perm ptypes.PermFlag, val bool) (addr []byte, data []byte) {
 	addr = LeftPadWord256([]byte(name)).Postfix(20)
 	switch name {
-	case "hasBasePerm", "unsetBasePerm":
+	case "has_base", "unset_base":
 		data = LeftPadBytes(user.Address, 32)
 		data = append(data, Uint64ToWord256(uint64(perm)).Bytes()...)
-	case "setBasePerm":
+	case "set_base":
 		data = LeftPadBytes(user.Address, 32)
 		data = append(data, Uint64ToWord256(uint64(perm)).Bytes()...)
 		data = append(data, boolToWord256(val).Bytes()...)
-	case "setGlobalPerm":
+	case "set_global":
 		data = Uint64ToWord256(uint64(perm)).Bytes()
 		data = append(data, boolToWord256(val).Bytes()...)
-	case "clearBasePerm":
 	}
 	return
 }
 
-func snativeRoleTestInput(name string, user *acm.PrivAccount, role string) (addr []byte, data []byte) {
+func snativePermTestInputTx(name string, user *acm.PrivAccount, perm ptypes.PermFlag, val bool) (snativeArgs ptypes.PermArgs) {
+	switch name {
+	case "has_base":
+		snativeArgs = &ptypes.HasBaseArgs{user.Address, perm}
+	case "unset_base":
+		snativeArgs = &ptypes.UnsetBaseArgs{user.Address, perm}
+	case "set_base":
+		snativeArgs = &ptypes.SetBaseArgs{user.Address, perm, val}
+	case "set_global":
+		snativeArgs = &ptypes.SetGlobalArgs{perm, val}
+	}
+	return
+}
+
+func snativeRoleTestInputCALL(name string, user *acm.PrivAccount, role string) (addr []byte, data []byte) {
 	addr = LeftPadWord256([]byte(name)).Postfix(20)
 	data = LeftPadBytes(user.Address, 32)
 	data = append(data, LeftPadBytes([]byte(role), 32)...)
 	return
 }
 
+func snativeRoleTestInputTx(name string, user *acm.PrivAccount, role string) (snativeArgs ptypes.PermArgs) {
+	switch name {
+	case "has_role":
+		snativeArgs = &ptypes.HasRoleArgs{user.Address, role}
+	case "add_role":
+		snativeArgs = &ptypes.AddRoleArgs{user.Address, role}
+	case "rm_role":
+		snativeArgs = &ptypes.RmRoleArgs{user.Address, role}
+	}
+	return
+}
+
 // convenience function for contract that calls a given address
 func callContractCode(contractAddr []byte) []byte {
 	// calldatacopy into mem and use as input to call
diff --git a/types/events.go b/types/events.go
index c6d46bcbb..a9a3ff489 100644
--- a/types/events.go
+++ b/types/events.go
@@ -22,6 +22,10 @@ func EventStringLogEvent(addr []byte) string {
 	return fmt.Sprintf("Log/%X", addr)
 }
 
+func EventStringPermissions(name string) string {
+	return fmt.Sprintf("Permissions/%s", name)
+}
+
 func EventStringBond() string {
 	return "Bond"
 }
diff --git a/types/tx.go b/types/tx.go
index 990b47468..3ebb143e2 100644
--- a/types/tx.go
+++ b/types/tx.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	acm "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/account"
 	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/binary"
 	. "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/common"
+	ptypes "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/permission/types"
 )
 
 var (
@@ -44,7 +45,11 @@ Validation Txs:
  - BondTx         New validator posts a bond
  - UnbondTx       Validator leaves
  - DupeoutTx      Validator dupes out (equivocates)
+
+Admin Txs:
+ - PermissionsTx
 */
+
 type Tx interface {
 	WriteSignBytes(chainID string, w io.Writer, n *int64, err *error)
 }
@@ -61,6 +66,9 @@ const (
 	TxTypeUnbond  = byte(0x12)
 	TxTypeRebond  = byte(0x13)
 	TxTypeDupeout = byte(0x14)
+
+	// Admin transactions
+	TxTypePermissions = byte(0x20)
 )
 
 // for binary.readReflect
@@ -73,6 +81,7 @@ var _ = binary.RegisterInterface(
 	binary.ConcreteType{&UnbondTx{}, TxTypeUnbond},
 	binary.ConcreteType{&RebondTx{}, TxTypeRebond},
 	binary.ConcreteType{&DupeoutTx{}, TxTypeDupeout},
+	binary.ConcreteType{&PermissionsTx{}, TxTypePermissions},
 )
 
 //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -314,6 +323,26 @@ func (tx *DupeoutTx) String() string {
 
 //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+type PermissionsTx struct {
+	Input    *TxInput        `json:"input"`
+	PermArgs ptypes.PermArgs `json:"args"`
+}
+
+func (tx *PermissionsTx) WriteSignBytes(chainID string, w io.Writer, n *int64, err *error) {
+	binary.WriteTo([]byte(Fmt(`{"chain_id":%s`, jsonEscape(chainID))), w, n, err)
+	binary.WriteTo([]byte(Fmt(`,"tx":[%v,{"args":"`, TxTypePermissions)), w, n, err)
+	binary.WriteJSON(tx.PermArgs, w, n, err)
+	binary.WriteTo([]byte(`","input":`), w, n, err)
+	tx.Input.WriteSignBytes(w, n, err)
+	binary.WriteTo([]byte(`}]}`), w, n, err)
+}
+
+func (tx *PermissionsTx) String() string {
+	return Fmt("PermissionsTx{%v -> %v}", tx.Input, tx.PermArgs)
+}
+
+//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
 // This should match the leaf hashes of Block.Data.Hash()'s SimpleMerkleTree.
 func TxID(chainID string, tx Tx) []byte {
 	signBytes := acm.SignBytes(chainID, tx)
diff --git a/types/tx_test.go b/types/tx_test.go
index 8966b2efd..82ba6c757 100644
--- a/types/tx_test.go
+++ b/types/tx_test.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	acm "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/account"
 	. "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/common"
 	_ "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/config/tendermint_test"
+	ptypes "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/permission/types"
 )
 
 var chainID string
@@ -69,6 +70,26 @@ func TestCallTxSignable(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestNameTxSignable(t *testing.T) {
+	nameTx := &NameTx{
+		Input: &TxInput{
+			Address:  []byte("input1"),
+			Amount:   12345,
+			Sequence: 250,
+		},
+		Name: "google.com",
+		Data: "secretly.not.google.com",
+		Fee:  1000,
+	}
+	signBytes := acm.SignBytes(chainID, nameTx)
+	signStr := string(signBytes)
+	expected := Fmt(`{"chain_id":"%s","tx":[3,{"data":"secretly.not.google.com","fee":1000,"input":{"address":"696E70757431","amount":12345,"sequence":250},"name":"google.com"}]}`,
+		config.GetString("chain_id"))
+	if signStr != expected {
+		t.Errorf("Got unexpected sign string for CallTx. Expected:\n%v\nGot:\n%v", expected, signStr)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestBondTxSignable(t *testing.T) {
 	privKeyBytes := make([]byte, 64)
 	var privKeyArray [64]byte
@@ -135,3 +156,25 @@ func TestRebondTxSignable(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Errorf("Got unexpected sign string for RebondTx")
 	}
 }
+
+func TestPermissionsTxSignable(t *testing.T) {
+	permsTx := &PermissionsTx{
+		Input: &TxInput{
+			Address:  []byte("input1"),
+			Amount:   12345,
+			Sequence: 250,
+		},
+		PermArgs: &ptypes.SetBaseArgs{
+			Address:    []byte("address1"),
+			Permission: 1,
+			Value:      true,
+		},
+	}
+	signBytes := acm.SignBytes(chainID, permsTx)
+	signStr := string(signBytes)
+	expected := Fmt(`{"chain_id":"%s","tx":[32,{"args":"[2,{"address":"6164647265737331","permission":1,"value":true}]","input":{"address":"696E70757431","amount":12345,"sequence":250}}]}`,
+		config.GetString("chain_id"))
+	if signStr != expected {
+		t.Errorf("Got unexpected sign string for CallTx. Expected:\n%v\nGot:\n%v", expected, signStr)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/types/tx_utils.go b/types/tx_utils.go
index eb7aae126..3750483da 100644
--- a/types/tx_utils.go
+++ b/types/tx_utils.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package types
 import (
 	"fmt"
 	acm "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/account"
+	ptypes "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/permission/types"
 )
 
 type AccountGetter interface {
@@ -222,3 +223,38 @@ func NewRebondTx(addr []byte, height int) *RebondTx {
 func (tx *RebondTx) Sign(chainID string, privAccount *acm.PrivAccount) {
 	tx.Signature = privAccount.Sign(chainID, tx).(acm.SignatureEd25519)
 }
+
+//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// PermissionsTx interface for creating tx
+
+func NewPermissionsTx(st AccountGetter, from acm.PubKey, args ptypes.PermArgs) (*PermissionsTx, error) {
+	addr := from.Address()
+	acc := st.GetAccount(addr)
+	if acc == nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("Invalid address %X from pubkey %X", addr, from)
+	}
+
+	nonce := acc.Sequence + 1
+	return NewPermissionsTxWithNonce(from, args, nonce), nil
+}
+
+func NewPermissionsTxWithNonce(from acm.PubKey, args ptypes.PermArgs, nonce int) *PermissionsTx {
+	addr := from.Address()
+	input := &TxInput{
+		Address:   addr,
+		Amount:    1, // NOTE: amounts can't be 0 ...
+		Sequence:  nonce,
+		Signature: acm.SignatureEd25519{},
+		PubKey:    from,
+	}
+
+	return &PermissionsTx{
+		Input:    input,
+		PermArgs: args,
+	}
+}
+
+func (tx *PermissionsTx) Sign(chainID string, privAccount *acm.PrivAccount) {
+	tx.Input.PubKey = privAccount.PubKey
+	tx.Input.Signature = privAccount.Sign(chainID, tx)
+}
diff --git a/vm/native.go b/vm/native.go
index 27f2e8f4b..004c10e9c 100644
--- a/vm/native.go
+++ b/vm/native.go
@@ -8,20 +8,30 @@ import (
 	"github.com/tendermint/tendermint/vm/sha3"
 )
 
-var nativeContracts = make(map[Word256]NativeContract)
+var registeredNativeContracts = make(map[Word256]NativeContract)
+
+func RegisteredNativeContract(addr Word256) bool {
+	_, ok := registeredNativeContracts[addr]
+	return ok
+}
 
 func init() {
-	nativeContracts[Int64ToWord256(1)] = ecrecoverFunc
-	nativeContracts[Int64ToWord256(2)] = sha256Func
-	nativeContracts[Int64ToWord256(3)] = ripemd160Func
-	nativeContracts[Int64ToWord256(4)] = identityFunc
+	registerNativeContracts()
+	registerSNativeContracts()
+}
+
+func registerNativeContracts() {
+	registeredNativeContracts[Int64ToWord256(1)] = ecrecoverFunc
+	registeredNativeContracts[Int64ToWord256(2)] = sha256Func
+	registeredNativeContracts[Int64ToWord256(3)] = ripemd160Func
+	registeredNativeContracts[Int64ToWord256(4)] = identityFunc
 }
 
 //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-type NativeContract func(input []byte, gas *int64) (output []byte, err error)
+type NativeContract func(appState AppState, caller *Account, input []byte, gas *int64) (output []byte, err error)
 
-func ecrecoverFunc(input []byte, gas *int64) (output []byte, err error) {
+func ecrecoverFunc(appState AppState, caller *Account, input []byte, gas *int64) (output []byte, err error) {
 	// Deduct gas
 	gasRequired := GasEcRecover
 	if *gas < gasRequired {
@@ -42,7 +52,7 @@ func ecrecoverFunc(input []byte, gas *int64) (output []byte, err error) {
 	return LeftPadBytes(hashed, 32), nil
 }
 
-func sha256Func(input []byte, gas *int64) (output []byte, err error) {
+func sha256Func(appState AppState, caller *Account, input []byte, gas *int64) (output []byte, err error) {
 	// Deduct gas
 	gasRequired := int64((len(input)+31)/32)*GasSha256Word + GasSha256Base
 	if *gas < gasRequired {
@@ -57,7 +67,7 @@ func sha256Func(input []byte, gas *int64) (output []byte, err error) {
 	return hasher.Sum(nil), nil
 }
 
-func ripemd160Func(input []byte, gas *int64) (output []byte, err error) {
+func ripemd160Func(appState AppState, caller *Account, input []byte, gas *int64) (output []byte, err error) {
 	// Deduct gas
 	gasRequired := int64((len(input)+31)/32)*GasRipemd160Word + GasRipemd160Base
 	if *gas < gasRequired {
@@ -72,7 +82,7 @@ func ripemd160Func(input []byte, gas *int64) (output []byte, err error) {
 	return LeftPadBytes(hasher.Sum(nil), 32), nil
 }
 
-func identityFunc(input []byte, gas *int64) (output []byte, err error) {
+func identityFunc(appState AppState, caller *Account, input []byte, gas *int64) (output []byte, err error) {
 	// Deduct gas
 	gasRequired := int64((len(input)+31)/32)*GasIdentityWord + GasIdentityBase
 	if *gas < gasRequired {
diff --git a/vm/snative.go b/vm/snative.go
index 16f45a6d7..2fd3b0f94 100644
--- a/vm/snative.go
+++ b/vm/snative.go
@@ -7,36 +7,31 @@ import (
 	ptypes "github.com/tendermint/tendermint/permission/types"
 )
 
+// TODO: ABI
 //------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Registered SNative contracts
 
-var RegisteredSNativeContracts = map[Word256]SNativeContract{
-	LeftPadWord256([]byte("hasBasePerm")):   hasBasePerm,
-	LeftPadWord256([]byte("setBasePerm")):   setBasePerm,
-	LeftPadWord256([]byte("unsetBasePerm")): unsetBasePerm,
-	LeftPadWord256([]byte("setGlobalPerm")): setGlobalPerm,
-	LeftPadWord256([]byte("hasRole")):       hasRole,
-	LeftPadWord256([]byte("addRole")):       addRole,
-	LeftPadWord256([]byte("rmRole")):        rmRole,
+func registerSNativeContracts() {
+	registeredNativeContracts[LeftPadWord256([]byte("has_base"))] = hasBasePerm
+	registeredNativeContracts[LeftPadWord256([]byte("set_base"))] = setBasePerm
+	registeredNativeContracts[LeftPadWord256([]byte("unset_base"))] = unsetBasePerm
+	registeredNativeContracts[LeftPadWord256([]byte("set_global"))] = setGlobalPerm
+	registeredNativeContracts[LeftPadWord256([]byte("has_role"))] = hasRole
+	registeredNativeContracts[LeftPadWord256([]byte("add_role"))] = addRole
+	registeredNativeContracts[LeftPadWord256([]byte("rm_role"))] = rmRole
 }
 
-// Takes an appState so it can lookup/update accounts,
-// an account to check for permission to access the snative contract
-// and some input bytes (presumably 32byte words)
-type SNativeContract func(appState AppState, acc *Account, input []byte) (output []byte, err error)
-
 //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-// snative are native contracts that can access and manipulate the chain state
-// (in particular the permissions values)
+// snative are native contracts that can access and modify an account's permissions
 
 // TODO: catch errors, log em, return 0s to the vm (should some errors cause exceptions though?)
 
-func hasBasePerm(appState AppState, acc *Account, args []byte) (output []byte, err error) {
-	if !HasPermission(appState, acc, ptypes.HasBasePerm) {
-		return nil, ErrInvalidPermission{acc.Address, "HasBasePerm"}
+func hasBasePerm(appState AppState, caller *Account, args []byte, gas *int64) (output []byte, err error) {
+	if !HasPermission(appState, caller, ptypes.HasBase) {
+		return nil, ErrInvalidPermission{caller.Address, "has_base"}
 	}
 	if len(args) != 2*32 {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("hasBasePerm() takes two arguments (address, permission number)")
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("hasBasePerm() takes two arguments (address, permFlag)")
 	}
 	addr, permNum := returnTwoArgs(args)
 	vmAcc := appState.GetAccount(addr)
@@ -57,12 +52,12 @@ func hasBasePerm(appState AppState, acc *Account, args []byte) (output []byte, e
 	return LeftPadWord256([]byte{permInt}).Bytes(), nil
 }
 
-func setBasePerm(appState AppState, acc *Account, args []byte) (output []byte, err error) {
-	if !HasPermission(appState, acc, ptypes.SetBasePerm) {
-		return nil, ErrInvalidPermission{acc.Address, "SetBasePerm"}
+func setBasePerm(appState AppState, caller *Account, args []byte, gas *int64) (output []byte, err error) {
+	if !HasPermission(appState, caller, ptypes.SetBase) {
+		return nil, ErrInvalidPermission{caller.Address, "set_base"}
 	}
 	if len(args) != 3*32 {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("setBasePerm() takes three arguments (address, permission number, permission value)")
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("setBase() takes three arguments (address, permFlag, permission value)")
 	}
 	addr, permNum, perm := returnThreeArgs(args)
 	vmAcc := appState.GetAccount(addr)
@@ -82,12 +77,12 @@ func setBasePerm(appState AppState, acc *Account, args []byte) (output []byte, e
 	return perm.Bytes(), nil
 }
 
-func unsetBasePerm(appState AppState, acc *Account, args []byte) (output []byte, err error) {
-	if !HasPermission(appState, acc, ptypes.UnsetBasePerm) {
-		return nil, ErrInvalidPermission{acc.Address, "UnsetBasePerm"}
+func unsetBasePerm(appState AppState, caller *Account, args []byte, gas *int64) (output []byte, err error) {
+	if !HasPermission(appState, caller, ptypes.UnsetBase) {
+		return nil, ErrInvalidPermission{caller.Address, "unset_base"}
 	}
 	if len(args) != 2*32 {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unsetBasePerm() takes two arguments (address, permission number)")
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unsetBase() takes two arguments (address, permFlag)")
 	}
 	addr, permNum := returnTwoArgs(args)
 	vmAcc := appState.GetAccount(addr)
@@ -106,12 +101,12 @@ func unsetBasePerm(appState AppState, acc *Account, args []byte) (output []byte,
 	return permNum.Bytes(), nil
 }
 
-func setGlobalPerm(appState AppState, acc *Account, args []byte) (output []byte, err error) {
-	if !HasPermission(appState, acc, ptypes.SetGlobalPerm) {
-		return nil, ErrInvalidPermission{acc.Address, "SetGlobalPerm"}
+func setGlobalPerm(appState AppState, caller *Account, args []byte, gas *int64) (output []byte, err error) {
+	if !HasPermission(appState, caller, ptypes.SetGlobal) {
+		return nil, ErrInvalidPermission{caller.Address, "set_global"}
 	}
 	if len(args) != 2*32 {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("setGlobalPerm() takes two arguments (permission number, permission value)")
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("setGlobal() takes two arguments (permFlag, permission value)")
 	}
 	permNum, perm := returnTwoArgs(args)
 	vmAcc := appState.GetAccount(ptypes.GlobalPermissionsAddress256)
@@ -131,17 +126,9 @@ func setGlobalPerm(appState AppState, acc *Account, args []byte) (output []byte,
 	return perm.Bytes(), nil
 }
 
-// TODO: needs access to an iterator ...
-func clearPerm(appState AppState, acc *Account, args []byte) (output []byte, err error) {
-	if !HasPermission(appState, acc, ptypes.ClearBasePerm) {
-		return nil, ErrInvalidPermission{acc.Address, "ClearPerm"}
-	}
-	return nil, nil
-}
-
-func hasRole(appState AppState, acc *Account, args []byte) (output []byte, err error) {
-	if !HasPermission(appState, acc, ptypes.HasRole) {
-		return nil, ErrInvalidPermission{acc.Address, "HasRole"}
+func hasRole(appState AppState, caller *Account, args []byte, gas *int64) (output []byte, err error) {
+	if !HasPermission(appState, caller, ptypes.HasRole) {
+		return nil, ErrInvalidPermission{caller.Address, "has_role"}
 	}
 	if len(args) != 2*32 {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("hasRole() takes two arguments (address, role)")
@@ -162,9 +149,9 @@ func hasRole(appState AppState, acc *Account, args []byte) (output []byte, err e
 	return LeftPadWord256([]byte{permInt}).Bytes(), nil
 }
 
-func addRole(appState AppState, acc *Account, args []byte) (output []byte, err error) {
-	if !HasPermission(appState, acc, ptypes.AddRole) {
-		return nil, ErrInvalidPermission{acc.Address, "AddRole"}
+func addRole(appState AppState, caller *Account, args []byte, gas *int64) (output []byte, err error) {
+	if !HasPermission(appState, caller, ptypes.AddRole) {
+		return nil, ErrInvalidPermission{caller.Address, "add_role"}
 	}
 	if len(args) != 2*32 {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("addRole() takes two arguments (address, role)")
@@ -186,9 +173,9 @@ func addRole(appState AppState, acc *Account, args []byte) (output []byte, err e
 	return LeftPadWord256([]byte{permInt}).Bytes(), nil
 }
 
-func rmRole(appState AppState, acc *Account, args []byte) (output []byte, err error) {
-	if !HasPermission(appState, acc, ptypes.RmRole) {
-		return nil, ErrInvalidPermission{acc.Address, "RmRole"}
+func rmRole(appState AppState, caller *Account, args []byte, gas *int64) (output []byte, err error) {
+	if !HasPermission(appState, caller, ptypes.RmRole) {
+		return nil, ErrInvalidPermission{caller.Address, "rm_role"}
 	}
 	if len(args) != 2*32 {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("rmRole() takes two arguments (address, role)")
@@ -224,36 +211,23 @@ func (e ErrInvalidPermission) Error() string {
 
 // Checks if a permission flag is valid (a known base chain or snative permission)
 func ValidPermN(n ptypes.PermFlag) bool {
-	if n > ptypes.TopBasePermFlag && n < ptypes.FirstSNativePermFlag {
-		return false
-	} else if n > ptypes.TopSNativePermFlag {
+	if n > ptypes.TopPermFlag {
 		return false
 	}
 	return true
 }
 
-// assumes length has already been checked
+// CONTRACT: length has already been checked
 func returnTwoArgs(args []byte) (a Word256, b Word256) {
 	copy(a[:], args[:32])
 	copy(b[:], args[32:64])
 	return
 }
 
-// assumes length has already been checked
+// CONTRACT: length has already been checked
 func returnThreeArgs(args []byte) (a Word256, b Word256, c Word256) {
 	copy(a[:], args[:32])
 	copy(b[:], args[32:64])
 	copy(c[:], args[64:96])
 	return
 }
-
-// mostly a convenience for testing
-var RegisteredSNativePermissions = map[Word256]ptypes.PermFlag{
-	LeftPadWord256([]byte("hasBasePerm")):   ptypes.HasBasePerm,
-	LeftPadWord256([]byte("setBasePerm")):   ptypes.SetBasePerm,
-	LeftPadWord256([]byte("unsetBasePerm")): ptypes.UnsetBasePerm,
-	LeftPadWord256([]byte("setGlobalPerm")): ptypes.SetGlobalPerm,
-	LeftPadWord256([]byte("hasRole")):       ptypes.HasRole,
-	LeftPadWord256([]byte("addRole")):       ptypes.AddRole,
-	LeftPadWord256([]byte("rmRole")):        ptypes.RmRole,
-}
diff --git a/vm/vm.go b/vm/vm.go
index bf36356f5..64420699d 100644
--- a/vm/vm.go
+++ b/vm/vm.go
@@ -95,6 +95,19 @@ func HasPermission(appState AppState, acc *Account, perm ptypes.PermFlag) bool {
 	return v
 }
 
+func (vm *VM) fireEvent(exception *string, output *[]byte, caller, callee *Account, input []byte, value int64, gas *int64) {
+	// fire the post call event (including exception if applicable)
+	if vm.evc != nil {
+		vm.evc.FireEvent(types.EventStringAccReceive(callee.Address.Postfix(20)), types.EventMsgCall{
+			&types.CallData{caller.Address.Postfix(20), callee.Address.Postfix(20), input, value, *gas},
+			vm.origin.Postfix(20),
+			vm.txid,
+			*output,
+			*exception,
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 // CONTRACT appState is aware of caller and callee, so we can just mutate them.
 // value: To be transferred from caller to callee. Refunded upon error.
 // gas:   Available gas. No refunds for gas.
@@ -102,30 +115,8 @@ func HasPermission(appState AppState, acc *Account, perm ptypes.PermFlag) bool {
 func (vm *VM) Call(caller, callee *Account, code, input []byte, value int64, gas *int64) (output []byte, err error) {
 
 	exception := new(string)
-	defer func() {
-		if vm.evc != nil {
-			vm.evc.FireEvent(types.EventStringAccReceive(callee.Address.Postfix(20)), types.EventMsgCall{
-				&types.CallData{caller.Address.Postfix(20), callee.Address.Postfix(20), input, value, *gas},
-				vm.origin.Postfix(20),
-				vm.txid,
-				output,
-				*exception,
-			})
-		}
-	}()
-
-	// SNATIVE ACCESS
-	// if code is empty, callee may be snative contract
-	if len(code) == 0 {
-		if snativeContract, ok := RegisteredSNativeContracts[callee.Address]; ok {
-			output, err = snativeContract(vm.appState, caller, input)
-			if err != nil {
-				*exception = err.Error()
-			}
-			return
-		}
-	}
-	// SNATIVE ACCESS END
+	// fire the post call event (including exception if applicable)
+	defer vm.fireEvent(exception, &output, caller, callee, input, value, gas)
 
 	if err = transfer(caller, callee, value); err != nil {
 		*exception = err.Error()
@@ -759,9 +750,16 @@ func (vm *VM) call(caller, callee *Account, code, input []byte, value int64, gas
 			// Begin execution
 			var ret []byte
 			var err error
-			if nativeContract := nativeContracts[addr]; nativeContract != nil {
+			if nativeContract := registeredNativeContracts[addr]; nativeContract != nil {
 				// Native contract
-				ret, err = nativeContract(args, &gasLimit)
+				ret, err = nativeContract(vm.appState, callee, args, &gasLimit)
+
+				// for now we fire the Receive event. maybe later we'll fire more particulars
+				var exception string
+				if err != nil {
+					exception = err.Error()
+				}
+				vm.fireEvent(&exception, &ret, callee, &Account{Address: addr}, args, value, gas)
 			} else {
 				// EVM contract
 				if ok = useGas(gas, GasGetAccount); !ok {
@@ -779,19 +777,18 @@ func (vm *VM) call(caller, callee *Account, code, input []byte, value int64, gas
 					ret, err = vm.Call(callee, callee, acc.Code, args, value, gas)
 				} else {
 					if acc == nil {
-						if _, ok := RegisteredSNativeContracts[addr]; ok {
-							acc = &Account{Address: addr}
-						} else {
-							// if we have not seen the account before, create it
-							// so we can send funds
-							if !HasPermission(vm.appState, caller, ptypes.CreateAccount) {
-								return nil, ErrPermission{"create_account"}
-							}
-							acc = &Account{Address: addr}
+						// nil account means we're sending funds to a new account
+						if !HasPermission(vm.appState, caller, ptypes.CreateAccount) {
+							return nil, ErrPermission{"create_account"}
 						}
+						acc = &Account{Address: addr}
 						vm.appState.UpdateAccount(acc)
+						// send funds to new account
+						ret, err = vm.Call(callee, acc, acc.Code, args, value, gas)
+					} else {
+						// call standard contract
+						ret, err = vm.Call(callee, acc, acc.Code, args, value, gas)
 					}
-					ret, err = vm.Call(callee, acc, acc.Code, args, value, gas)
 				}
 			}