August 14, 2009

To the Honorable Members of the Illinois House of Representatives,

96^th General Assembly:

Today, I veto House Bill 3705.

This legislation would require persons who operate “neighborhood vehicles” to obtain liability insurance and to have the vehicles registered and titled with the Secretary of State.

On Monday, August 10^th 2009, I signed House Bill 2455, now Public Act 96-0279. This Act re-termed “neighborhood vehicles” as “non-highway” vehicles and subjected them to the mandatory insurance provisions under Article VI of Chapter 7 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.   

 However, the definition of “neighborhood vehicles” in House Bill 3705 conflicts with the definition provided for in the recently-enacted law, House Bill 2455.  House Bill 3705’s definition of neighborhood vehicles is problematic: the vehicles contemplated in House Bill 3705 do not meet certain federal safety requirements.  This would prohibit their registration by the Secretary of State.  Accordingly, approving this legislation would contradict existing law.  Lacking any policy rationale for doing so, I decline to affix my signature to this bill.  

For the reasons above, and in accordance with Article IV, Section 9(b) of the Illinois Constitution, I return House Bill 3705 to the House, where it originated, vetoed in its entirety.

Sincerely,

Pat Quinn

GOVERNOR