BLAIR LEE III, Acting Governor

3247

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the
Maryland Constitution, I have today vetoed House Bill 1945.

This bill requires the County Commissioners of Cecil
County to provide health insurance coverage for the sheriff
and his deputy sheriffs and reimbursement for the court time
of certain deputy sheriffs. In an uncodified section, it
also transfers to the Sheriff's Department five
communications personnel of the State Civil Defense and
Disaster Preparedness Agency.

I have no objections to the provisions of this bill
regarding the benefits for the sheriff and his personnel.
However, I do not believe that the uncodified section
regarding the communications personnel can be given effect.

Five of these seven employees of the Cecil County Civil
Defense and Disaster Preparedness Agency are not State
employees, but, in fact, are now county employees. The two
remaining employees, the director and the deputy director,
are paid from federal funds. This provision therefore
purports to transfer State employees to county employment.
In fact, that is not the case.

In addition, the County Commissioners of Cecil County
and the Director of the Cecil County Civil Defense and
Disaster Preparedness Agency have apprised me of their
opposition to the bill in light of the efficiency and
economy with which this unit implements the county
communications system.

For these reasons, and at the request of the Director
of the State Civil Defense and Disaster Preparedness Agency,
the County Commissioners, and the Director of the Cecil
County Civil Defense and Disaster Preparedness Agency, I
have decided to veto House Bill 1945.

Sincerely,
Blair Lee III
Acting Governor

House Bill Bo. 1947 - Merit System - Reclassification

of Positions

AN ACT concerning

Merit System - Reclassification of Positions