Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) capped off a busy legislative session on Tuesday, signing more than 730 bills into law and rejecting only three Democratic-led proposals before a bill-review deadline later this week.
In total, Youngkin signed 738 bills that were proposed during the state’s 60-day legislative session earlier this year, sending back 78 other pieces of legislation with proposed amendments before they receive his final approval. Lawmakers are set to return for a one-day special session on April 12 to consider his changes before sending them back to his desk for his signature.
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“I was honored to sign key pieces of bipartisan legislation that bolster law enforcement, cut red tape, make Virginia more competitive, and build on my commitment to restore excellence in education,” Youngkin said. “We have made significant progress in advancing commonsense policies that deliver for everyone.”
However, the first-term governor noted that the legislative session left “many big items unfinished,” including tax cuts and mental healthcare initiatives. Several of those provisions were included in a “skinny budget” proposal that was sent back to lawmakers for consideration during their special session next month.
Youngin also vetoed three bills sponsored by Democratic lawmakers, a sharp decrease from the 26 bills he rejected last year.
One bill Youngkin vetoed was a proposal to allow public utility and broadband service vehicles to be left on private property, even without the owner’s consent. The Virginia Republican rejected that provision, noting “convenience or expediency” must not be valued over property rights.
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Youngkin also rejected a bill seeking to create a work group to examine “vehicle noise” throughout the state, calling the proposal “unnecessary” in light of other legislation that already cracks down on exhaust systems. The final piece of legislation Youngkin vetoed was a proposal to update how an office in the state’s human resources agency handles grievance procedures, arguing it would cause “increased workload and possible delays.”
State lawmakers could vote to override any of Youngkin’s vetoes when it meets for its special session. Each piece of legislation would need the support of two-thirds in both chambers in order to be enacted.
