H.B. 804                                                 VETOES

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 804 - Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation -
Guidelines for Easement Rankings.

This bill requires a county, when ranking easement applications under the Maryland
Agricultural Land Preservation Program, to consider the guidelines adopted by the
Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) to identify
easements for purchase that further the goals of the program. The guidelines adopted
by MALPF must include consideration of several specified factors, such as location,
soil productivity, and agricultural production.

Senate Bill 564, 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 804.

Sincerely,

Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.

Governor

House Bill No. 804

AN ACT concerning

Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation - Guidelines for
Easement Ranking and Valuation Rankings

FOR the purpose of altering the method a county must use to rank certain easement
applications; requiring a county to consider certain guidelines when ranking
easement applications; providing the method for calculating a certain value cap;
eliminating the formula for calculating agricultural value including certain
guidelines as required bases for a county governing body to rank certain
easement applications; requiring the Foundation, in consultation with certain
county governing bodies, to adopt certain guidelines that include consideration
of certain factors; and generally relating to the Maryland Agricultural Land
Preservation Foundation,—and ranking and valuation of easements and
easement rankings.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Agriculture
Section 2-510(e) and (f) and 2-511
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1999 Replacement Volume and 2002 Supplement)

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

- 3808 -