Governor Warner Announces Action on Various Legislation

Governor Mark R. Warner today announced action on six bills approved by the General Assembly. The Governor is required under the Virginia Constitution to complete action by midnight, March 24, 2003 on all bills passed by the 2003 General Assembly.

Governor Warner issued the following statement on the bills:

Legal Presence for Driver's Licenses (SB 1058/HB 1954)

"In the aftermath of 9/11, the Department of Motor Vehicles undertook a number of steps to improve security, including ending the long-held practice of allowing driver's license applicants to demonstrate their legal status through simple affidavits. I have supported these measures to improve security.

"The General Assembly has elected to add to these security measures by establishing a new process for DMV to follow when issuing driver's licenses. This new procedure will require an applicant for a license or permit to provide evidence that he or she is a U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident of the U.S., or a conditional resident alien of the U.S. It allows temporary licenses to be issued to persons who have temporary, lawful visas to be in the United States.

"The additional safeguards contained in SB 1058 and HB 1954 are appropriate given the ongoing threat of terrorism. They are also consistent with the trend in 27 other states where legal presence requirements have been adopted - states with a combined population that represents more than two-thirds of our national population.

"While I will sign SB 1058 and HB 1954, I share the strong concerns of many in the immigrant community that this legislation could potentially subject immigrants to unfair and degrading treatment. I will work closely with the immigrant community, and will use all the resources at my disposal, to ensure that this does not happen. The provisions of SB 1058 and HB 1954 will be administered fairly.

"Additionally, despite the significant fiscal impact the bills would have on DMV, the General Assembly provided only a conditional appropriation of $400,000 to implement this new requirement. In order to ensure that this new requirement does not create even longer lines and more operational problems at DMV offices, I will provide $1 million in my budget amendments to allow DMV to hire and train the necessary personnel to properly implement the provisions of HB 1954 and SB 1058, which take effect January 1, 2004."

In-state Tuition for Undocumented Aliens (HB 2339)

"I am offering an amendment to HB 2239 that would allow a small and deserving group of students to receive in-state tuition. The exception created by the amendment would apply to students who can demonstrate that they have graduated from a Virginia high school; lived in the Commonwealth for five years; and are seeking to adjust their immigration status to one that is legal. My amendment would also require that the student or his or her parents show that they have paid Virginia income taxes for a period of not less than three years.

"This exception recognizes that there are some young people who came to America with their parents when they were very young, and who are in a position to become legal residents of the United States. Many of these students hold the potential to become contributing members of our society. It is only fair that this narrowly-targeted group of students - whose parents paid Virginia income taxes -- have the chance to receive in-state tuition.

"The amendment I propose is fully consistent with existing federal law. The states of California, Texas, New York, and Utah currently allow in-state tuition for undocumented aliens in certain circumstances. The amendment I propose is more restrictive than the approach adopted in those states."

Safe Havens for Newborns (HB 2447/SB 1151)

"There is nothing more tragic than a parent abandoning an infant in an unsafe place, often with tragic results. This legislation allows parents in crisis to leave their newborn infants in a safe place, at a hospital or rescue squad facility, rather than abandoning their newborns. I have signed this measure into law and our Department of Social Services will soon begin working with Delegate Griffith and Senator Stolle how best to implement the new law.

"While I am pleased to sign this legislation, it is only one part of what should be a comprehensive effort to address the social and economic problems that give rise to this terrible problem."

Road Map for Virginia's Future (HB 2097)

"Long-range planning is vital to our Commonwealth's fiscal health and our citizens' quality of life. That's why I was pleased to support House Bill 2097, which puts in place a long-ranging planning process for Virginia state government. This legislation is strongly supported by Virginia's business community. The Governor will chair the 18-member council established by this legislation, charged with developing a long-range strategic plan for state government. I have signed this measure into law and congratulate Delegate McQuigg for her tireless efforts on this legislation."

Presidential Primary (SB 959/HB 2568)

"In order to provide Virginia with a greater voice in selecting presidential nominees, this bill moves Virginia's presidential primary date from the last Tuesday in February to the second Tuesday in February. Although this bill was introduced at the request of the Democratic Party of Virginia, it received strong bi-partisan support and I commend the members of the General Assembly for working together to pass it."

Yorktown Trustees (HB 2807)

"I have signed a bill to eliminate the Yorktown Trustees and to transfer property under their control to the County of York. The Trustees were established in 1691 by the legislature as part of a strategy to establish port cities. Trustees are still appointed by judges, even though their original purpose has long since ended. Today, the affairs of local community are and should be governed by elected, rather than court-appointed, officials."

Governor of Virginia - Mark R. Warner
Copyright 2003