ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                             H.B. 18

27-101.

(c) Any person who is convicted of a violation of any of the provisions of the
following sections of this article is subject to a fine of not more than $500 or
imprisonment for not more than 2 months or both:

(25)   Except as provided in subsections (f) and (q) of this section, §
21-902(d) ("Driving while impaired by controlled dangerous substance"); [or]

(26)   § 21-902.1 ("DRIVING WITHIN 12 HOURS AFTER ARREST"); OR

[(26)] (27) § 27-107(d), (e), (f), or (g) ("Prohibited acts - Ignition interlock
systems").

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take
effect October 1, 2003.

May 22, 2003

The Honorable Michael E. Busch
Speaker of the House
State House
Annapolis MD 21401

Dear Mr. Speaker:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Constitution, today I have
vetoed House Bill 18 — District Court - Small Claim Actions.

The bill increases the maximum amount of a small claim, over which the District
Court of Maryland has exclusive jurisdiction, from $2,500 to $5,000. The bill also
increases, from $2,500 to $5,000, the amount in controversy: (1) above which the
District Court and circuit courts have concurrent jurisdiction in civil cases; and (2) for
which an appeal in a civil case from the District Court must be based on the District
Court record. The bill also increases from $1,000 to $2,500 the amount in controversy
in a civil action in which there are no formal pleadings.

Senate Bill 4, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by me,
accomplishes the same purpose. Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign House
Bill 18.

Sincerely,

Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.

Governor

House Bill No. 18

AN ACT concerning

District Court - Small Claim Actions

FOR the purpose of altering the minimum amount in controversy in civil cases over
which the District Court of Maryland and the circuit courts have concurrent

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