H.B. 1001

VETOES

findings regarding maternal deaths and found a need to establish a maternal
mortality review program to review maternal deaths and to develop strategies for the
prevention of maternal deaths; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly of Maryland enacted the Maternal Mortality
Review Program on April 25, 2000; and

WHEREAS, The Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene established the
Program to review maternal deaths and to develop strategies for the prevention of
maternal deaths in Maryland; and

WHEREAS, The Program has successfully fulfilled its objectives; and

WHEREAS, Maternal deaths are still a serious public health concern, however,
and there is still a need for the Program to continue in existence in order to review
maternal deaths and develop strategies for the prevention of maternal deaths; now,
therefore,

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

Chapter 74 of the Acts of 2000

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 2000. [It shall remain effective for a period of 3 years and, at the end of
September 30, 2003, with no further action required by the General Assembly, this
Act shall be abrogated and of no further force and effect.]

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

May 21, 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 1001 - State Boat Act - Excise Tax.

House Bill 1001 attempts to enable a nonresident who buys a boat from a licensed
dealer in Maryland to remain in the State for 90 consecutive days before being
required to pay the boat excise tax. The bill also expands the exemption from the
vessel excise tax to include a business that buys a boat for charter, rental, or lease
purposes.

Currently, businesses are exempt from the excise tax if they purchase a boat for
resale. The purpose of the legislation is to help businesses that purchase boats for
charter, rental, or lease purposes by extending the exemption to these businesses.
Further, the bill attempts to keep nonresidents in Maryland after they buy a boat

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