MARVIN MANDEL, Governor                        1777

VETOES

TITLES AND MESSAGES

Senate Bill No. 95—Calvert County Bonds

AN ACT to add new Section 117(c) of the Code of Public Local
Laws of Calvert County (1963 Edition, being Article 5 of the Code
of Public Laws of Maryland), title "Calvert County," subtitle "County
Commissioners," to follow immediately after Section 117 (b) thereof,
requiring in Calvert County that a public hearing be held prior to
any action by the County Commissioners resulting in the sale of
bonds.

May 28, 1969.

Honorable William S. James
President of the Senate
State House
Annapolis, Maryland

Dear Mr. President:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17, of the Maryland Con-
stitution, I have today vetoed Senate Bill 95 and am returning it
to you.

This Bill requires the County Commissioners of Calvert County
to give three weeks public notice "prior to taking any action result-
ing in the sale of bonds."

The County Commissioners of Calvert County have requested
that I veto the Bill on the grounds that it is ambiguous and unneces-
sary. The pertinent portion of their letter to me is as follows:

"Senate Bill 95 requires three weeks public notice prior to 'tak-
ing any action' resulting in the sale of bonds and requiring the
Board to hold public hearings and hear testimony concerning the
proposed issuance of the bonds.

"This is ambiguous in that the statement 'give public notice
prior to the taking of any action' could mean that, in its inception,
any plan for a public improvement could be interpreted by the author
of the Bill as 'taking action' in the sale of Bonds. The bill is super-
fluous in that prior to any Bond issuance, specific authorization has
to be given by the Calvert County Delegation and only then can the
County Commissioners promote a bond issue."

The sponsor of the Bill, Senator Hall, has informed me that, in
light of the County Commissioners' position, he has no strong objec-
tion to vetoing the Bill.

Consequently, I have decided to veto Senate Bill 95 at the re-
quest of the County Commissioners of Calvert County.

Sincerely,

/s/ Marvin Mandel,

Governor.