02 April 2008

Legislature 2008: Epilogue

At last count, Gov. Joe Manchin had vetoed 12 (corrected figure) of the 246 bills passed by the House and Senate during their recent 60-day regular session:

  • HB 4010 - Removing the limitation on terms for board of library directors;
  • HB 4307 - Relating to bona fide residents wholly or solely owning greyhounds;
  • HB 4407 - Requiring automatic tire chains as standard equipment on all new school buses;
  • HB 4554 - Testing school bus operators every other year;
  • SB 207 - Relating to Deputy Sheriff Retirement System Act;
  • SB 227 - Relating to State Teachers Retirement System (added);
  • SB 242 - Allowing point deduction for certain licensees attending defensive driving class;
  • SB 337 - Eliminating obsolete language concerning Supreme Court clerk;
  • SB 477 - Increasing conservation officers' salaries and length of service;
  • SB 606 - Requiring hiring preference for summer school program positions;
  • SB 638 - Requiring information collection from catalytic converter purchasers;
  • SB 696 - Providing appraisal methods for certain multifamily rental properties.
The list does not include the four bill that lawmakers re-passed after correcting errors highlighted by vetoes during the extended session for the budget.

The reasons for the vetoes vary, and include technical errors, conflicts with other legislation, constitutional concerns and deference to local control. The Associated Press notes some of final vetoes issued by the governor.

Others focus on legislation from the session signed by Manchin this week, or otherwise slated to become law:
  • Public Broadcasting examines one measure that aims to ease rising property tax bills for seniors;
  • The Parkersburg News gauges the local impact of legislation slashing property tax rates on corporate and commercial aircraft.
  • MetroNews looks at the bill tweaking DUI laws (update).

No comments: