Signed Legislation, Amendments and Vetoes for Virginia

Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced action on bills from the General Assembly that require his action before the end of the session. As of today, he has signed 158 bills, amended five and vetoed two, including the actions described below. 

Signed Legislation


Absentee ballots: Governor Kaine signed Senate Bill 508 (Northam, Whipple) / House Bill 798 (Englin) which provides that voters covered by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act who reside or are stationed outside the United States may receive their blank absentee ballots by electronic transmission. These voters are currently allowed to request absentee ballots by electronic transmission. This bill covers the second step of sending the ballot to these overseas voters. 

"This bill will speed up the process of allowing our military personnel to vote by absentee ballot," Governor Kaine said. 

Campaign finance transparency: Governor Kaine signed Senate Bill 452 (Peterson) / House Bill 359 (Cole) which requires political committees, out-of-state political committees, and federal political action committees to provide a candidate's campaign committee with information regarding the contributor of any designated contribution so that the candidate can identify the donor of the designated contribution on his or her campaign finance report. 

"This legislation will help keep our campaign finance practices transparent," Governor Kaine said. "To make our contribution disclosure system work, we must close the loophole that allows designated contributions to go unreported." 

Amendments


House Bill 649 (Hogan): Governor Kaine amended this bill, which pertains to sections of the code relating to transportation that were invalidated by last week's Supreme Court ruling.  The Governor has proposed amendments to repeal the provisions in the bill that were invalidated by the Court.  

Vetoes


Governor Kaine vetoed two bills having to do with carrying concealed weapons. 

Senate Bill 436 (Vogel) would have allowed people to carry a concealed weapon in a car as long as it was in a locked compartment or container.

"I have the same concerns with this legislation today as when I vetoed a similar bill two years ago," Governor Kaine said. "This measure runs contrary to existing state law regarding concealed weapon permits, allowing persons who have not completed a criminal background check, and who are untrained with a handgun, to possess a firearm in a concealed manner within a locked compartment in their automobiles.

"It also presents a danger to our law enforcement officers, who risk their lives for Virginians on a daily basis while patrolling our Commonwealth's roads and highways.  The objections of law enforcement to this measure are compelling." 

Senate Bill 476 (Hanger) would have allowed people to bring concealed weapons into restaurants that serve alcohol, under certain conditions.

"Allowing concealed weapons into restaurants and bars that serve alcohol puts the public, the employees, and our public safety officers at risk," Governor Kaine said.  "I take seriously the objections of law enforcement to this measure."