H.B. 1617                                                VETOES

dominance within the PNC, resulting in nominees who might embrace a particular belief
or ideology that did not truly reflect the will of the community. The provisions of the bill
would thus preclude the Governor from appointing a nominee that he or she believed to
be more effective and responsive to the needs of the County.

House Bill 1617 is a well-intentioned effort to prevent potential conflict in future PNC
nominations; nonetheless, I cannot support a bill which, by restricting the pool of
available candidates, ultimately undercuts the appointment authority of the Executive
and prevents the nomination of the best possible candidate.

For these reasons, I have vetoed House Bill 1617.

Sincerely,

William Donald Schaefer

Governor

House Bill No. 1617

AN ACT concerning

Harford County Board of Education and Harford Community College Board of Trustees

- Appointment of Members

FOR the purpose of establishing the Permanent Nominating Caucus in Harford County
and requiring that the Caucus nominate candidates to fill certain vacancies on the
Harford County Board of Education and the Harford Community College Board of
Trustees; requiring that the Governor fill a vacancy on either Board from a certain
list of nominees; specifying that certain organizations may become members of the
Permanent Nominating Caucus and specifying membership continuation criteria;
requiring that the Caucus operate in accordance with certain bylaws and adopt
certain procedures; altering the composition of the Harford County Board of
Education; providing for the application of certain provisions of this Act; making
stylistic changes; and generally relating to the appointment of the members of the
Harford County Board of Education and the Harford Community College Board of
Trustees by the Governor upon the recommendation of the Permanent Nominating
Caucus in Harford County.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Education
Section 3-108, 3-112, and 16-508
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1992 Replacement Volume and 1993 Supplement)

BY adding to

Article - Education

Section 3-111.1

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1992 Replacement Volume and 1993 Supplement)

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