GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6 of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto Senate Bill No. 666.

Senate Bill 666 establishes the Virginia Propane Education and Research Act. While the goals of the legislation, to provide for the research, education and marketing of propane in Virginia are laudable, the mechanism by which it attempts to achieve those goals remains questionable.

During the Reconvened Session, I submitted an amendment in the nature of a substitute to address the significant concerns associated with this legislation. The amendment would have placed the Virginia Propane Education and Research Board at the Center for Coal and Energy Research at Virginia Tech, recognizing the important public safety issues that the propane industry wishes to address. This amendment was rejected.

This legislation retains the inefficient administrative process that will cost the Department of Taxation more to implement than will be collected in assessments. There also remains the potential that the assessment authorized in this legislation will ultimately be passed along as increased energy costs to consumers.

Therefore, I am returning this bill without my approval.

GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATION

1. That the amendment in the nature of a substitute (008255210) be accepted.