Pocket Veto and other gubernatorial options
Researched by Ron Franklin
GOVERNOR
After final passage (enactment) the bill is sent to the Governor. The Governor
has ten days in which to sign or veto the bill. If the Governor does not sign
the bill and the Legislature is still in session, the bill after ten days becomes
law as if the Governor signed it. If the Legislature has adjourned for the year
the bill does not become law. This is called a "pocket veto." If the Legislature
comes back into special session, the Governor on the 4th day must deliver a
veto message to the chamber of origin or the bill becomes law.
After a bill has been enacted by the Legislature, it is sent to the Governor,
who has 10 days (not counting Sundays) to exercise one of three options.
The Governor may sign the bill, or allow it to become law without signature.
If the Governor signs it, the bill ordinarily becomes law 90 days after the
adjournment of that legislative session - unless it is an emergency measure,
in which case it
takes effect upon the Governor's signing or on a date specified in the bill.
If the Governor vetoes the bill, it is returned to the house of origin, where a
2/3 vote of those present and voting in both the House and Senate is required
to override. The Governor's veto message may include comments on
particular aspects of the bill and the reasons for rejecting it, possibly raising
new issues for legislators to debate. If the Legislature overrides the
Governor's veto, the bill becomes law without gubernatorial approval.
If the Governor does not support a bill but does not wish to veto it, it
becomes law without the Governor's signature, if not signed and not returned
to the Legislature within 10 days.
When the Legislature adjourns before the 10-day time limit has expired, a bill
on which the Governor has not acted prior to the adjournment of the session
becomes law unless the Governor vetoes it within 3 days after the
reconvening of that Legislature. If there is not another meeting of that
particular Legislature lasting more than 3 days, the bill does not become law.
This and more about the process is available at:
http://www.state.me.us/legis/path/path.htm