WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor
Bills and Messages

June 2, 1987
The Honorable Thomas V. Mike Miller
President of the Senate
State House
Annapolis, Maryland 21404

Dear Mr. President:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland
Constitution, I have today vetoed Senate Bill 81.

This bill deals with the relationship between the Board of
Public Works and the statutory committees of the General Assembly
in the establishment of the principal rules, regulations, and
procedures governing the Public School Construction Program.
However, the bill is ambiguous in whether it requires prior
consultation or prior approval by the Legislative Policy
Committee.

as:

The purpose clause of Senate Bill 81 describes its purpose

"requiring prior consultation with the Legislative Policy
committee for certain changes in the rules, regulations, or
procedures of the Public School Construction Program prior
to adoption by the Board of Public Works; authorizing the
Legislative Policy Committee to reject certain changes in
the rules, regulations, or procedures of the Public School
Construction Program within a certain time period;".

This ambiguity is likewise reflected in the language of the
bill. The bill would add a new sub-section (g)(2) to Section
5-301 of the Education Article, providing that:

"The Board of Public Works may not, without prior
consultation with the Legislative Policy Committee of the
Maryland General Assembly, adopt or approve any proposed
change in the rules, regulations, or procedures authorized
by this section [that relate to eligible expenditures or
could have an impact of more than $500,000 on the Public
School Construction Program]." (Emphasis added)

Sub-section (g)(3) of the same Section provides that:

"Any proposed change in the rules, regulations, or
procedures authorized by this Section shall be presented to
the Legislative Policy Committee of the Maryland General

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