WM. PRESTON LANE, Jr., GOVERNOR. 2273

In view of the passage and approval of House Bill No; 518
this bill has been vetoed.

SENATE BILL 172

AN ACT to repeal and re-enact, with amendments, Sub-sec-
tions 9 (a), 11 (d) and 11 (g) of Article 72 of the Anno-
tated Code of Maryland (1939 Edition and 1943 Supple-
ment), title "Oysters and Clams", as said Article was
amended by Chapter 929 of the Acts of 1945; to add a new
sub-section to be known as Sub-section 13 (d), said sub-
section to follow immediately after Sub-section 13 (c) of
said Article, requiring oyster packers to sell 65% of their
oyster shells to the Department of Tidewater Fisheries in
addition to the 10% already provided for, requiring the
Department of Tidewater Fisheries to plant such shells,
authorizing the Department of Tidewater Fisheries to utilize
an area north of a line between Sandy Point and Love
Point for the propagation of seed oysters, levying a tax of
5c a gallon on all shucked oysters, and providing that said
tax be paid by the packer or other processor to the Depart-
ment of Tidewater Fisheries prior to shipment; and repeal-
ing Sub-section 11 (c) of said Article, relating to the au-
thority to close county dredging and tonging bars.

In its original form as introduced the provisions of this
bill related to the location of the boundaries of the mouth of
the Patuxent River. It was amended to its present text and
passed in the last part of the session of the General Assembly.

Members of the Tidewater Fisheries Commission consider
that the bill contains some meritorious provisions, but the
Commission has not designated its official position on the
bill.

Obtaining shells for replanting is essential in the propaga-
tion of oysters. In addition to the rights of purchase now
held by the State, this bill gives to the State an option only
to purchase not less than 65% of the shells from the oysters
shucked in any establishment at a fixed price, without com-
mitting the State to the purchase of those shells.

An additional tax of 5c per gallon is levied upon all oysters
produced, no matter where the oysters come from. Those
engaged in the oyster industry vigorously oppose the bill on
the ground that the bill was hastily drawn and passed with-
out any opportunity accorded them for study and considera-
tion, or the presentation of their views upon the subject.
They further claim that the provisions of the bill will have
a disastrous effect in competition with packers in Virgiinia
and New Jersey.
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