Fifty bills that passed the General Assembly crossed Governor Glenn Youngkin’s desk on March 14 and two-fifths of them were vetoed.
“The Governor vetoed 20 bills to prevent the enactment of laws that would impose significant burdens on small businesses, limit statewide decision-making, and escalate tuition fees and expenses for hardworking Virginia families,” reads a statement on the Governor’s website.
Here’s a selection of some of the vetoed legislation:
- “Major Employment and Incentive” projects to be financed by the Virginia Public Building Authority would have been required by HB212 to submit a statement disclosing the demographic make-up of the managing boards of applicants. This passed the House of Delegates 49 to 46 and the Senate 21 to 19.
- Members of the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice would have been allowed through HB333 for members to travel the Commonwealth “to view and record conditions related to human health and the environment.” This passed the House 51 to 48 and the Senate 20 to 19.
- HB569 would have required businesses with more than ten employees that receives a complaint from a worker that the work has the right to file a charge with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Office of the Attorney General. In his explanation, Youngkin said the legislation would hurt small businesses.
- HB938 and SB542 would have amended Virginia’s Unemployment Compensation Act related to labor dispute disqualifications
- Localities would have been able to prohibit the sale of English Ivy under HB1167. Youngkin explained that this would set a precedent and that education is the best approach to eradicating invasive species.
- HB1244 would have prohibited isolated confinement in state prisons and there does not appear to be a veto explanation for that one because the Governor’s explanations refer to a HB1255 which is a different piece of legislation.
Other bills vetoed were identical to ones Youngkin already refused to sign into law. They include HB571, HB990, HB1177, HB385, and SB370.
Bills signed by Youngkin that will become law without a recommendation include:
- If you’re 70, you won’t be able to use that as a reason to get out of jury duty. HB156 and SB638 extend the age of exemption to 73.
- Volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians can put more flashing warning lights on their vehicle with the adoption of HB15 and SB150.
- Railway tunnels and bridges operated by the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority will be exempt from the Uniform Statewide Building Code and the Statewide Fire Prevention Code, but VPRA must make an annual safety report to the State Fire Marshall. (HB1425)
- Motorists who strike an elk or a turkey can claim the carcass under HB1025. Currently only deer and bear are eligible.
- Certain types of indoor agricultural equipment can be exempted from personal property taxes now that HB1429 has been signed into law.
- Youngkin also signed a bill to give Wells Fargo a tax break for investing $87 million into a call center in Roanoke if at least 1,100 new jobs are created. For details, take a look at HB468 or read this press release from September 2023.
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