The Virginia House of Delegates failed to override Governor Mark Warner’s veto of HB 1406, a bill to authorize issuance of special license plates bearing the legend: CHOOSE LIFE. The override vote on April 2, 2003 was 60-39-1 (see vote H6), seven votes short of the required two-thirds majority.

The bill, introduced by Del. Dick Black (R-Sterling), would have had an annual additional fee of $25. After the first thousand registrations, $15 of this fee would be paid annually to the locality in which the vehicle is registered and distributed to nongovernmental, not-for-profit agencies that provide counseling and other services for expectant mothers who are committed to placing their children for adoption. No funds could go to any agency involved or associated with abortion.

The bill was originally voted out of the Transportation committee by a 13-6 margin and passed the House on a 57-37-2 vote (see vote H5). In the Senate, the bill emerged from the Transportation committee on a close 8-6-1 vote. On the Senate floor, Sen. John Edwards (D-Roanoke) attempted several amendments aimed at changing the wording to SUPPORT ADOPTION and eliminating the funding restrictions relating to abortion. All were rejected and the bill was passed on a vote of 25-14 (vote S5).

“Choose Life” license plates have been challenged in court in other states. However, the challenge in Florida was rejected on March 12, 2003 by the Federal Appeals Court for the Eleventh Circuit. Attorney General Jerry Kilgore had said he would defend the law against any legal challenges from pro-abortion organizations. The Governor’s veto, subsequently sustained by the House, made this a moot point.

Published in VSHL Lifesaver, April 2003