1322                                      VETOES

House Bill No. 725—Tourist Information Services

AN ACT to add new Section 199A to Article 41 of the Annotated
Code of Maryland (1951 Edition), title "Governor—Executive and
Administrative Departments", sub-title "Department of Informa-
tion", to follow immediately after Section 199 thereof, relating
to the prohibition against dissemination of certain official infor-
mation services in this State.

April 28, 1955

Honorable John C. Luber
Speaker of the House of Delegates
State House
Annapolis, Maryland

Dear Mr. Speaker:

House Bill 725 which attempts to make illegal the operation of
tourist information services under certain conditions, is an exact dupli-
cate of Senate Bill 508.1 have today vetoed Senate Bill 508 for reasons
there set forth, particularly the lack of any penalty provisions. In
vetoing this duplicate bill, I am referring the matter to the Legislative
Council for consideration.

Respectfully,

(s) THEODORE R. MCKELDIN,

Governor
TRMcK/A

House Bill No. 729—Assessment of farm Lands

AN ACT to repeal and re-enact, with amendments, Section 17 of
Article 81 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1951 Edition),
title "Revenue and Taxes", sub-title "Method of Assessment",
specifying the method of assessment for lands which are actively
devoted to farm or agricultural use.

June 3, 1955.
Honorable John C. Luber
Speaker of the House of Delegates
State House
Annapolis, Maryland

Dear Mr. Speaker:

House Bill 729 attempts to change the general assessing formula
contained in Section 13 of Article 81 of the Annotated Code of Mary-
land (1954 Supp.), by providing that lands devoted to farm or
agricultural use shall be assessed on that basis, and not as if sub-
divided "or on any other basis". Under this bill, the tax assessor
would be required to close his eyes to the development of the surround-
ing area, sales and other indicia of land values. This preferential
treatment would have no necessary relationship to or benefit for
farming. Thus, the owner of a very valuable tract of vacant land
in a thriving commercial section might claim the benefit of this bill