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GOVERNOR’S ACTIONS
When given a Bill which 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. New Jersey Youth and Government does not permit the “Pocket Veto”.
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. This must be seconded by another member who
voted for the Bill.
- The Motion to Reconsider is given immediate vote without debate.
Note: if you plan to vote again 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.
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