When given a Bill that has passed both Chambers, the Governor has three (3) choices of action. The Governor is expected to consult with the Cabinet on the proper course for each Bill and to take action in the timeliest manner possible.

The Governor may:

• Sign the Bill into law.
• Veto the Bill – the Governor shall send a written veto message to the Sponsor describing his/her reasons for preventing the Bill from becoming law.
  • Overriding a Veto
    • In order for a vetoed Bill to be reconsidered, a member of the originating Chamber who voted in favor of the Bill must move that the Bill be Reconsidered. This motion must be seconded by a member who also voted in favor in the Bill.
    • An immediate vote shall be taken, without debate, on whether or not to Reconsider.
    • If this motion passes, the Chair shall have the Clerk/Secretary read the Governor’s veto message.
    • The Chair shall allow the Sponsor a two-minute statement in support of an override followed by two rounds of Con-Pro debate.
    • The vote necessary to override a Veto is a 2/3 majority.
    • If passed, the Bill proceeds to the other Chamber, which must follow the same steps as, listed above.
    • If passed in both Chambers, the Bill is considered Law, and does not return to the Governor.
    • If defeated in either Chamber, the Bill remains Vetoed.
  • Conditionally Veto the Bill – this action may be used by the Governor to allow changes to be made to a Bill and thereby avoid a Veto. To Conditionally Veto a Bill, the Governor must put in writing what specific changes, additions, etc., which if made, would ensure passage of the Bill. This written message is to be attached to the Bill and sent to the Expeditor.
  • Reconsidering a Conditional Veto
    • In order for the Bill to be Reconsidered, a member of the originating Chamber who voted in favor of the Bill must make the Motion for Reconsideration. Another member who voted for the Bill must second this action.
    • The Motion to Reconsider is given an immediate vote without debate. Note: if you plan to vote against the Bill, you should oppose the Reconsideration. It will save a lot of time!
    • If this motion is passed, the Chair shall have the Clerk/Secretary read the Governor’s message and ask for a Motion from the floor to amend the Bill as indicated in the message.
    • This amendment shall proceed in this usual manner with a Sponsor’s 1-minute statement and two rounds of Con-Pro debate followed by a vote on the Bill.
    • A majority vote is needed to pass.
    • If the amendment passes, the Chair shall proceed directly to a vote on the entire Bill. If the Bill passes it proceeds to the second Chamber and repeats the steps stated above.
    • If the amendment does NOT pass, the Chair shall inform the Chamber that it will proceed immediately to a Veto Override Vote without debate – a 2/3 majority vote is needed.
    • If the Bill passes both Chambers as a Conditional Veto Reconsideration, it is returned to the Governor for action.
    • If the Bill is defeated in either Chamber it remains vetoed.
    • The Governor may not Conditional Veto a Bill more than once.
    • If the Chamber overrides the conditional veto, the Bill becomes law.