MARVIN MANDEL, Governor

2851

AN ACT concerning

Sale of Horses

FOR the purpose of requiring a certificate stating that a
certain test has been given to any horse or other
equine offered for sale in this State; providing
that this certificate shall contain certain
information; relating generally to sale of horses
and other equines in Maryland; and providing
definitions.

May 17, 1976.
Honorable John Hanson Briscoe
Speaker of the House of Delegates
State House
Annapolis, Maryland 21404

Dear Mr. Speaker:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the
Maryland Constitution, I have today vetoed House Bill
1627.

This bill prohibits the sale of a horse or other
equine in Maryland unless a certificate is attached to
the bill of sale stating that, within six months prior to
the sale, the horse had a negative test for equine
infectious anemia.

Last year I vetoed a similar bill, partly because
the Secretary of Agriculture informed me that he was then
developing regulations to effectuate a program which
would require such testing of horses within a twelve
month period. Those regulations are now in effect in
Maryland.

This testing program has developed on the basis of a
twelve month test requirement, and it has proved to be
successful on that basis. At some later date, the
Secretary may determine that it is both practical and
advisable to strengthen the requirement as mandated by
House Bill 1627. If he does so determine, he may then
propose to amend the Department's regulations
accordingly. However, I believe that the program will
prove to be most beneficial to the State if this
regulatory latitude is left to the Secretary. At this
time, the testing program is operating effectively on a
twelve month basis, and I hesitate to sign a bill which
will mandate a change in that success, when current
evaluations of the program indicate that a change is
neither required nor advisable.

I have today vetoed a related bill, House Bill 1626,