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2017 SESSION
(HB1791)GOVERNOR'S VETO
Pursuant to Article V, Section 6, of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto HB 1791. This bill would provide that any person conspiring to incite a riot against specified categories of law enforcement officers is guilty of a Class 3 felony. The base penalty for incitement to riot is a Class 5 felony.
During the Reconvened Session, I offered a substitute amendment that would have retained the enhanced penalty regarding conspiracy to riot against law enforcement officers, and also made it a Class 3 felony to conspire to riot against a person because of his race, religious convictions, color, sexual orientation, or national origin. This amendment was rejected.
Conspiring to riot against a law enforcement officer is a serious crime, as is inciting a riot against a person because of his race, religious convictions, color, sexual orientation, or national origin. House Bill 1791 in its original form fails to strike this needed balance.
Accordingly, I veto this bill.
GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATION
That the amendment in the nature of a substitute (17106014D) be accepted.