How a Bill Becomes Law in New Jersey
Governor’s Actions
LAW – The Governor has several options when a bill is approved by the legislature and is sent for his or her signature. The bill may be signed into law by the Governor, in which case it will either take effect immediately or on the day specified in the bill’s text. If a date is left unspecified, the bill will take effect on the following July 4th. Alternately the Governor may choose, at his or her discretion, to not sign a bill. If that is the case, the bill automatically becomes law after 45 calendar days if no action is taken. If the House of origin is in recess on the 45th day, the time is extended until it reconvenes. (Note: Different rules apply to bills passed during the last 45 days of a two-year session. See “Special Rules” below.) The Governor also has the option to veto a bill. If vetoed, a bill may still become law if both Houses of the Legislature overrides the veto by a 2/3 majority vote.
The various veto actions are explained below.
ABSOLUTE VETO – The Governor’s rejection of a proposed law passed by the Legislature. A bill vetoed in this manner cannot become law unless the Legislature overrides the veto by a vote of at least two-thirds of the members of each house. (27 votes in the Senate; 54 votes in the General Assembly)
CONDITIONAL VETO – A veto in which the Governor objects to parts of a bill and proposes amendments that would make it acceptable. If the Legislature re-enacts the bill with the recommended amendments, it is presented again to the Governor for signature.
POCKET VETO – The only type of veto in which the Governor does not return the bill to the Legislature for a possible vote to override. This veto applies only to bills passed within the last 10 days of a 2-year legislative session. The Governor, in essence, “pockets” the bill. The Governor has until seven days after the expiration of the two-year session to sign such a bill. If the Governor does not approve it, the bill is “pocket vetoed.” This is the only situation in which a bill can be vetoed without being returned to the Legislature for reconsideration.
LINE-ITEM VETO – Applies only to bills containing an appropriation (expenditure of funds), this veto allows the Governor to approve the bill but reduce or eliminate monies appropriated for specific items.
SPECIAL RULES – Different rules apply to bills passed during the last 45 days of a two-year legislative session. A bill passed between the 45th and the 10th day before the expiration of the session becomes law unless the Governor vetoes it before noon of the day prior to the expiration of the two-year Legislature – i.e., the second Monday in January of an even-numbered year. The Legislature convenes on that day to consider any such vetoes. A bill passed between the 10th and last day of the session will become law only upon the Governor’s signature. The Governor has until seven days after the expiration of the two-year session to sign such a bill. If the Governor does not approve it, the bill is “pocket vetoed.” This is the only situation in which a bill can be vetoed without being returned to the Legislature for reconsideration.
