HARRY HUGHES, Governor                                       3891

May 27, 1986
The Honorable Benjamin L. Cardin
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 64 because it would
weaken the State's ability to enforce various State laws that
regulate motor vehicles and auto parts.

This bill was originally introduced with the support of the
Department of Transportation to strengthen the authority of the
Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) and the State Police to
inspect licensed auto dealers and recyclers to locate stolen auto
parts and for other purposes. In the last days of the Session,
the bill was substantially amended to greatly restrict the
ability of the MVA and police officers to inspect inventory and
records of licensees. As amended, inspections would be limited
to not more than 4 per year for periods not longer than 12 hours
unless a search warrant was obtained.

Under current law, MVA conducts approximately 250 audits per
year that last on average 2-3 days each. Some licensees are
audited far more frequently than 4 times per year. Records and
accounts of licensees have always been open to inspection during
normal business hours.

The Secretary of Transportation has requested a veto because
the provisions of the amended bill would hamper the State's
ability to investigate stolen motor vehicles and auto parts, to
collect unpaid automobile excise taxes, and to verify titling and
registration of motor vehicles. Such a result is not in the
public interest.

Therefore, for the above reasons, I have decided to veto
House Bill 64.

Sincerely,
Harry Hughes
Governor

House Bill No. 64

AN ACT concerning

Vehicle Laws - Licensing of Businesses and Occupations -

Inspection