H.B. 575                                                 VETOES

(d)     Unless the Department has a signed memorandum of understanding with
the law enforcement agency with primary jurisdiction over the property, a forest,
park, and wildlife ranger may not exercise law enforcement powers under the
provisions of subsection (b)(3) and (5) of this section.

(e)     All forest, park, and wildlife rangers, including persons appointed for
training prior to regular assignment as a ranger, shall remain in a probationary
status for a period of 2 years from the date of initial appointment. The Secretary may
discharge an employee in probationary status for any cause which is deemed
sufficient in the sole discretion of the Secretary.

(f)      (1) Whenever Natural Resources police officers receive a salary increase,
forest and park rangers in the State Forest and Park Service shall receive a salary
increase in the same percentage as the salary increase received by Natural Resources
police officers.

(2) Whenever Natural Resources police officers receive a grade or step
increase, forest and park rangers in the State Forest and Park Service shall receive
an equal grade or step increase.

(g)     In cases of inconsistency between this subtitle and the provisions of the
State Personnel and Pensions Article, the provisions of this subtitle shall control as to
all matters relating to Natural Resources law enforcement officers.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That by September 30, 2005,
the Department of Natural Resources shall report to the Governor and, in accordance
with § 2-1246 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly on the
implementation of this Act, including: the number of times forest, park, and wildlife
rangers assumed additional law enforcement duties and the types of violations
involved; the number and types of emergencies to which rangers responded; and the
personnel and fiscal impacts of this Act.

SECTION 2. 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take
effect October July 1, 2003. Section 1 of this Act shall remain effective for a period of
2 years and, at the end of June 30, 2005, with no further action required by the
General Assembly, Section 1 of this Act shall be abrogated and of no further force and
effect. Section 2 of this Act shall remain effective for a period of 2 years and 3 months
and, at the end of September 30, 2005, with no further action required by the General
Assembly, Section 2 of this Act shall be abrogated and of no further force and effect.

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

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