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VETOES

For these reasons, and at the request of the Secretary
of Budget and Fiscal Planning and the Comptroller, I have
decided to veto House Bill 948.

Sincerely,
Blair Lee III
Acting Governor

Letter from State Law Department on House Bill No. 948

May 25, 1978

Honorable Blair Lee, III
Acting Governor of Maryland
State House
Annapolis, Maryland 21404

Re: House Bill 948

Dear Governor Lee:

We hereby approve House Bill 948 as to
constitutionality. In so doing, we address the questions
raised by your Chief Legislative Officer, viz.,

"1. Is House Bill 948 in its entirety,
constitutional?

"2. Is the Department of Public Safety and
Correctional Services subject to the data processing
procedures and policies of the proposed subtitle 'State
Data Processing' and/or the similar existing provisions
of Article 15A, Section 23B of the Code?

"3. Can the Phase I Plan for the reorganization of
the State's data processing resources proceed under the
terms of Chapter 44 of 1978 and/or Section 2 of House
Bill 948?

"4. If any provision of House Bill 948 is not
constitutional, or is otherwise defective, may it be
properly severed; and, if so, may the balance of the
bill be validly implemented?

"In addition to answers to these questions, the
Acting Governor would appreciate your comment on any
other aspect of the bill that you may feel is
appropriate."

1. Constitutionality.

(a) Judicial appointment Authority. House Bill 948
(at lines 307—315) provides for the establishment of a Data