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GOVERNOR KAINE ANNOUNCES AMENDMENTS, VETOES TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY LEGISLATION

~ Amends smoking, HPV vaccine bills; Vetoes seven others ~

RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced additional action on certain legislation adopted by the 2007 General Assembly. The Governor must complete action by midnight on the 958 bills passed by the 2007 Assembly. Legislators are scheduled to consider the Governor's vetoes and proposed amendments during a one-day Reconvened Session on Wednesday, April 4, 2007.

Amendments

Smoking Ban: Governor Kaine amended House Bill 2422 (Griffith) to ban smoking in all Virginia restaurants. As adopted, HB 2422 prohibits smoking in restaurants in the Commonwealth unless a restaurant posts signs stating "Smoking Permitted."

"I appreciate the patron's intent with this legislation, but felt amendments were necessary," Governor Kaine said. "I remain opposed to a widespread, general ban on smoking in public. This bill, with my amendment, is narrowly targeted to prevent smoking in restaurants, which is an important step to protect the health of both patrons and employees."

HPV Vaccine: Governor Kaine proposed an amendment to House Bill 2035 (Hamilton), the legislation requiring the HPV vaccine for girls entering the sixth-grade. The Governor's amendment clarifies the conditions of the opt-out clause, citing the nature and circumstances of HPV transmission as justification for a broader opt-out clause than offered for other mandatory vaccinations. With the Governor's amendment, parents would not be required to submit their opt-out decision in writing, but would have an opportunity to review materials prepared by health experts on the link between HPV and cervical cancer.
"While I believe that this vaccine shows great promise for preventing cancer, I believe that the decision to administer this vaccine should be made by parents," the Governor said. "My amendments further clarify the provision that a girl's parent or guardian has complete discretion to decide whether their child should be vaccinated."

Biosolids Regulation: Governor Kaine amended Senate Bill 1339 (Newman) and House Bill 2802 (Byron), identical bills consolidating the program that regulates the land application of biosolids under the Department of Environmental Quality. Currently, the responsibility for regulation of the land application of biosolids is split between DEQ and the Department of Health. The Governor made minor technical amendments to both bills. The Governor also recommended an emergency clause for Senate Bill 1300 (Newman), which allows local governments greater authority to regulate the storage of sewage sludge.


Technical Education Diploma: The Governor amended House Bill 2039 (Hamilton) and Senate Bill 1147 (Wagner), which directs the State Board of Education to establish the requirements for a diploma for high school students who complete a course of study in career and technical education. The Governor's amendments take this a step further by establishing an "advanced technical diploma" for students who complete an advanced studies course of study with a concentration in career and technical education.

"I am pleased the General Assembly, the Department of Education, and others were able to work together to promote career and technical education in response to the high demand for skilled workers," Governor Kaine said. "This gives students another option for pursuing career and technical education."


Vetoes


The Governor also announced that he has vetoed seven bills:

Clustering of Single-Family Dwellings: Governor Kaine has vetoed Senate Bill 1074, which would bar certain localities from clustering of single-family dwellings so as to preserve open space.

"In 2006, we created important legislation that allows for clustering of single-family dwellings," said Governor Kaine. "That was a smart land-use policy. SB 1074 takes steps backwards by exempting areas from this option and weakens the good policy we put in place in 2006."


Extension of Temporary Restriction of Annexation: The Governor vetoed House Bill 1979, which would extend the temporary restriction on city annexation authority, the granting of city charters, and county immunity proceedings from 2010 until 2020.

"In 1999, the General Assembly extended the 15-year ban on city-initiated annexations until 2010," the Governor said. "Any further extension should be accompanied by a careful consideration of the effects of this 'temporary' restriction. It is more appropriate for the General Assembly to consider this legislation closer to the time that the current provision expires."


Death Penalty Expansion: The Governor vetoed House Bill 2750 , House Bill 2347, House Bill 2348, Senate Bill 1116, and Senate Bill 1288, which expanded the list of crimes for which an offender is eligible for capital punishment.

"Virginia is already second in the nation in the number of executions we carry out," the Governor said. "While the nature of the offenses targeted by this legislation are very serious, I do not believe that further expansion of the death penalty is necessary to protect human life or provide for public safety needs."


Announcement on additional amendments and vetoes is scheduled for Tuesday.