S.B. 249                                                  VETOES

management tools, particularly during this time of critically low oyster harvests, and
thus, Maryland's assent to this broader authorization is necessary; now, therefore,

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Natural Resources

4-307.

The Potomac River Fisheries Commission shall have the power to make, adopt,
and publish such rules and regulations as may be necessary or desirable for
authorizing and regulating the dredging of oysters [with handscrapes] in areas of the
Potomac River within its geographical jurisdiction and may levy license AND
REPLETION fees for same.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Department of
Legislative Services shall notify the appropriate officials of the Commonwealth of
Virginia of the enactment of this Act; and that the Governor of the State of Maryland
shall issue a proclamation declaring this Act valid and effective and shall forward a
copy of the proclamation to the Executive Director of the Department of Legislative
Services.

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, subject to Section 2 of
this Act, this Act shall take effect October 1, 2003.

May 22, 2003

The Honorable Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr.
President of the Senate
State House
Annapolis MD 21401

Dear Mr. President:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Constitution, today I have
vetoed Senate Bill 249 - Family Law - Grounds for Absolute Divorce.

This bill adds cruelty of treatment toward a minor child of the complaining party and
excessively vicious conduct toward a minor child of a complaining party as grounds
for an absolute divorce and provides that recrimination is not a bar to obtaining a
divorce on any of the specified absolute divorce grounds.

House Bill 346, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by me,
accomplishes the same purpose. Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign Senate
Bill 249.

Sincerely,

Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.

Governor

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