§ 4.
Veto power.
Whenever the Legislature is in session, any bill presented to the
Governor for signature shall become law when the Governor signs the bill or fails to veto the bill
within five days, not including Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays, of presentation. A vetoed bill
shall be returned by the Governor to the Legislature together with the Governor's objections
within five days, not including Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays, of presentation if the Legislature
is in session or upon the reconvening of the Legislature from a recess. Any vetoed bill shall be
reconsidered by the Legislature and, if two-thirds of all members of each house shall pass the
bill, it shall become law.
Whenever a bill has been presented to the Governor and the Legislature has adjourned sine die
or recessed for more than five days within five days from presentation, the bill shall become law
when the Governor signs the bill or fails to veto it within fifteen days after such adjournment or start
of the recess.
The Governor may strike any items of any bill passed by the Legislature making appropriations.
The procedure for reconsidering items struck by the Governor shall be the same as is prescribed for
the passage of bills over the executive veto. All items not struck shall become law as provided
herein.
Bills with errors in style or form may be returned to the Legislature by the Governor with specific
recommendations for change. Bills returned shall be treated in the same manner as vetoed bills
except that specific recommendations for change as to style or form may be approved by a majority
vote of all the members of each house. If the Governor certifies that the bill conforms with the
Governor's specific recommendations, the bill shall become law. If the Governor fails to certify the
bill, it shall be returned to the Legislature as a vetoed bill.
History: 1889 Const., art. IV, §§ 9, 10; amendment proposed by SL 1972, ch 1, approved Nov. 7, 1972; amendment proposed by SL 2002, ch 2, §§ 1 and 2, approved Nov. 5, 2002.
