SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Hollywood celebrities can continue to drive with animals nestled in their laps.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is vetoing a bill to fine motorists $35 for sharing the driver's seat with lapdogs or other animals.

Republican Assemblyman Bill Maze says the practice is distracting. He introduced the bill after seeing a woman driving with three dogs on her lap.

Schwarzenegger says he's signing only bills that are "the highest priority for California." And a lapdog ban isn't one of them.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

APTV 09-28-08 0957CDT