1686                                      VETOES

House Bill No. 781—Crabs in Somerset and Worcester Counties

AN ACT to add new Section 321 to Article 66C of the Annotated
Code of Maryland (1964 Supplement), title "Natural Resources,"
subtitle "Fish and Fisheries," subheading "Part 3. Crabs, Lobster and
Terrapins," to follow immediately after Section 320 thereof, to pro-
hibit any person other than residents of Somerset and Worcester
Counties respectively from taking crabs from the waters of their
respective counties by means of crab pots.

May 4, 1965.

Honorable Marvin Mandel
Speaker of the House of Delegates
State House
Annapolis, Maryland

Dear Mr. Speaker:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Con-
stitution, I am returning herewith House Bill 781, together with my
veto message.

The bill provides "It is unlawful for any person other than a
resident of Worcester County to take crabs from the waters of
Worcester County by means of crab pots; and for any person other
than a resident of Somerset County to take crabs from the waters of
Somerset County by means of crab pots."

The Attorney General's office feels that this bill is unconstitu-
tional because it permits Worcester or Somerset County residents to
take crabs by means of crab pots from the waters of respective coun-
ties, but prohibits other Maryland residents from taking crabs from
such waters by means of crab pots. The constitutional guarantee of
equal protection of the laws renders invalid statutes which effect an
unlawful discrimination in favor of the inhabitants of a political
subdivision or county as against other residents of the State.

For reasons stated above, I feel that I am compelled to veto this
measure.

With kindest personal regards, I am

Sincerely yours,

(s) J. MILLARD TAWES,

Governor.

House Bill No. 909—Motor Vehicle Registrations

AN ACT to repeal and re-enact, with amendments, Section 81 (c)
(1) of Article 66½ of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1957 Edi-
tion), title "Motor" Vehicles," subtitle "Administration-Registration-
Titling," relating to motor vehicle registration and fees, to include
passenger motor vehicles for lease or rental in the category of Class
B vehicles, and to reduce the Class B registration fee FOR CERTAIN
MOTOR VEHICLES.