Committee approves bill to clarify delivery and receipt of gubernatorial vetoes

Senators on the Legislative Administration Committee voted to pass Senate Bill 344, a measure that spells out how a governor must deliver a veto message and how receipt of that message is recorded.

Sponsor Senator Greg Hertz of Senate District 7 told the committee the change simply matches statute with the Legislature’s joint rules and prevents informal handoffs. "Today, I bring a bill that has to do with delivery, and receipt of a veto message," Hertz said, arguing the governor should not leave a veto with a legislator walking in the hall but deliver it to the chief clerk or the secretary of the Senate.

Supporters and several members said the bill responds to confusion from last session’s litigation over a veto and would reduce legal uncertainty. Multiple senators described a prior situation as a legal "black hole" that drew courts into disputes about where a vetoed bill was and how to proceed; proponents said codifying delivery and requiring a stamped receipt would avoid that outcome.

Committee discussion clarified the conditions that make delivery "effectual," including language providing that delivery counts if the originating house has adjourned for the day but not the session, or if either house is in session when the clerk or secretary physically receives the bill with a stamped receipt. Senators asked hypotheticals about adjournment timing and the clerk’s role; staff confirmed the bill’s conditional language aligns with how session status affects receipt.

By voice vote the committee approved the bill to send to the floor. The chair noted the measure will be returned to the committee for a follow‑up meeting to consider additional improvements before final floor action.