April 6, 2000

Brent Siegrist
Speaker of the House
State Capitol Building
L O C A L

Dear Mr. Secretary:

I hereby transmit House File 2113, an act relating to the recognition of federal rights and service, including eligibility for United States armed forces retired special motor vehicle license plates and designation of a "Bill of Rights Day", in accordance with Article III, Section 16, of the Constitution of Iowa.

This bill contains two worthwhile provisions, one which designates December 15 as "Bill of Rights Day," and a second which makes it easier for certain retired and honorably discharged military veterans to obtain special vehicle license plates.

I regret to inform you that I am unable to approve House File 2113 as presented. Article III, Section 29, of the Constitution of Iowa, states, in part, that "Every act shall embrace but one subject, and matters properly connected therewith…" This legislation fails to meet that Constitutional test based on legal tests applied in relevant Iowa court decisions. The bill clearly contains two distinct and separate subjects, and each section of this bill has no relation to the other.

Throughout this legislative session there have been discussions of the proper use of legal authority within state government. In this case, the question of legal authority is a very basic one. This legislative enactment violates Article III, Section 29 of the Constitution. As Governor, I have sworn to uphold the Constitution of the state. Therefore, I have no choice but to respectfully disapprove House File 2113.

I call upon legislators, during the time remaining in this legislative session to pass these two provisions in a proper Constitutional form. Both provisions have merit, and I will approve them, if presented to me in proper form.

Sincerely,

Thomas J. Vilsack
Governor

TJV:jmc

cc: Secretary of State
   Chief Clerk of the House

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