Message - June 15, 2007

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EIGHTIETH TEXAS LEGISLATURE, REGULAR SESSION:

Pursuant to Article IV, Sections 14 and 15 of the Texas Constitution, I, Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, do hereby disapprove and veto House Bill No. 1205 of the 80th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, due to the following objections:

House Bill No. 1205 would mandate that private employers give volunteer emergency responders time off from work without being terminated or suspended if the employee is responding to a disaster declared by the governor or president that includes a fire, hazardous materials spill, medical emergency, or other situation that poses an imminent threat of loss of life.

Private employers should be allowed to continue to develop their own employment leave policies free of more government mandates. Further, this bill allows for a new civil cause-of-action to be created, thereby unnecessarily increasing litigation in the state. I remain steadfast in my opposition to creating opportunities for litigation.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have signed my name officially and caused the Seal of the State to be affixed hereto at Austin, this the 15th day of June, 2007.

RICK PERRY
Governor of Texas

ATTESTED BY:
ROGER WILLIAMS
Secretary of State