The Governor's responsibility in the law-making process is significant. After a bill has passed both houses of the General Assembly, it is sent to the Governor who has four choices of action:
(1) He may approve the bill by signing it; it becomes a law.
(2) He may disapprove the bill by vetoing it; he then returns it with his objections to the house in which it originated. This house enters such objections on its journal and reconsiders the bill in view of such objections. If, after careful consideration, two-thirds of the members present (at least a majority of the membership of that house is required as a minimum present for voting) still approve the bill, it is sent with the Governor's objections to the other house. After careful consideration here, if it is approved by two-thirds of all the members present (at least a majority of the membership of this house is also required as the minimum present for voting), it will become a law over the Governor's disapproval. This process is called "Over-riding the Veto." The Governor also has the power to veto any particular item or items of an appropriation bill without vetoing the entire bill. Such veto affects only the particular item or designated items. In such a case, the item or items must be considered by the same methods described previously. If the Governor favors the general purpose of any bill but opposes a part or certain parts, he may return it with recommendations for amending it to the house in which is originated with the same procedures described previously being used. One exception, however, exists: a vote of only a majority of the members present in each house is required to amend a bill.
(3) He may do nothing about the bill; after five days have passed, Sundays excepted, and if the General Assembly is still in session, the bill automatically becomes a law.
(4) He may do nothing about the bill; after ten days have passed, if the General Assembly has adjourned in the meantime, making it impossible to return the bill, the bill does not become a law. Such procedure is called a "pocket veto."
With such a wide range of power, the tremendous responsibility and authority which the Governor of Virginia possesses is readily apparent.
The second highest ranking state executive is the Lieutenant-Governor. He is elected to office by the qualified voters at the same time as the Governor for the same four-year term of office. His qualifications and election procedure are identical to those of the Governor. In case the Governor of the state dies, fails to qualify, resigns, is removed from the State or is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Lieutenant-Governor then assumes the Governorship with its duties, powers and compensation. Normally, the chief duty of the Lieutenant-Governor is to act as permanent chairman of the State Senate. While presiding over same, he is called the President of the Senate. In such capacity, he has no vote except in case of a tie. His salary consists of $1260 for each biennial session of the legislature plus $3,000 per year for traveling expenses. Hence, he receives the same salary as the Speaker of the House of Delegates.
Two major administrative officials appointed by the Governor and subject to the approval of the General Assembly are the Secretary of the Commonwealth and the State Treasurer. Their terms of office are coincident with the Governor who appoints them. The Secretary of the Commonwealth acts as the official secretary to the Governor and is the head of the Division of Records where all records of the official acts of the Governor are kept. The Secretary of the Commonwealth is also the custodian of the official State Seal and is responsible for affixing same to all the official documents signed by the Governor. The State Treasurer has custody of the funds of the state in the payment of bills. He makes deposits of all revenue belonging to the Commonwealth in certain specified banks and withdraws such money by check only upon the State Comptroller's warrant.
Another important state official is the Auditor of Public Accounts. He is elected by the joint vote of both houses of the General Assembly for a four-year term. His powers and duties include the auditing of all accounts of each state department, institution and agency, and he acts as chief auditor and accountant of the Auditing Committee of the General Assembly. In addition, he is responsible for exposing unauthorized, illegal or unwise handling of state funds to the Governor, the Auditing Committee of the General Assembly and the Comptroller. He is also required by law to audit all city and county officials' accounts unless such accounts are audited annually by a certified public accountant according to the State Auditor's instructions.