HARRY HUGHES, Governor

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required under current law.

The Office of State Prosecutor is an independent unit that
is authorized to prosecute certain offenses under State election
laws, ethics laws, and other offenses including offenses
involving public officials. The Office handles important and
sensitive cases and complements the Office of the Attorney
General and the State's Attorneys by providing an additional
resource for combating criminal activity.

The State Prosecutor Selection and Disabilities Commission
helps to preserve the independence of the State Prosecutor.
Under current law, the Commission reviews candidates for
appointment to the Office of State Prosecutor and nominates and
individual for appointment by the Governor. It also provides an
unbiased forum for hearing any complaints against the State
Prosecutor and is empowered to reprimand the State Prosecutor or
recommend to the Governor that the State Prosecutor be removed
from office. We haven been fortunate to have had outstanding
lawyers in this State serve on the Commission and it has
performed a vital role in support of the Office of State
Prosecutor.

Continuation of the State Prosecutor Selection and
Disabilities Commission is essential to preserving the integrity
and professionalism of the State Prosecutor and to preventing
undue influence in the selection and removal of the State
Prosecutor and the performance of the important duties of his
office.

For these reasons, I have decided to veto Senate Bill 837.

Sincerely,
Harry Hughes
Governor

Senate Bill No. 837

AN ACT concerning

State Prosecutor

FOR the purpose of abolishing the office of State Prosecutor;
repealing provisions that relate to the qualifications;
compensation, and powers and duties of the State Prosecutor;

repealing provisions that relate to procedures to be

followed and reports to be filed by the State Prosecutor;
abolishing the State Prosecutor Selection and Disabilities

Commission; repealing provisions that relate to the

selection and appointment of the State Prosecutor; repealing
provisions that relate to removal of the State Prosecutor