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PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor
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H.B. 25
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May 15, 2002
The Honorable Casper R. Taylor, Jr.
Speaker of the House
State House
Annapolis MD 21401
Dear Mr. Speaker:
In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Constitution, I have today
vetoed House Bill 25 - State Comptroller's Office - Field Enforcement Division - Law
Enforcement Authority.
House Bill 25 expands the police authority of authorized employees of the
Investigative Services Unit of the State Comptroller's Office to enforce all matters
within the authority and jurisdiction of the Comptroller. Under current law, the
authority of the Investigative Services Unit is limited to enforcing only laws
delineated in statute, such as the alcoholic beverages tax, the tobacco tax, the motor
fuel tax, the motor carrier tax and motor fuel and lubricants.
House Bill 25 substantially broadens the law enforcement powers of the Comptroller's
Office. Instead of amending the current list of taxes for which the Comptroller is
granted enforcement powers, the legislation repeals this list entirely and grants the
employees of the Investigative Services Unit broad police powers over all matters
within the "authority and jurisdiction" of the Comptroller's Office. This expansion of
police powers is overly broad and unwarranted. Citizens would rightfully have a very
negative reaction if such broad powers were given to all State agencies. Under current
practice, the Comptroller's Investigative Services Unit works in conjunction with
other State and local law enforcement agencies to enforce various revenue laws. This
arrangement has worked well in the past. While I am not opposed to a limited
extension of the Comptroller's law enforcement authority, I cannot support the broad
expansion of police powers proposed in House Bill 25.
For the above reason, I have vetoed House Bill 25.
Sincerely,
Parris N. Glendening
Governor
House Bill No. 25
AN ACT concerning
State Comptroller's Office - Field Enforcement Division - Law Enforcement
Authority
FOR the purpose of expanding the police authority of certain authorized employees of
the Field Enforcement Division of the State Comptroller's Office; and generally
relating to the law enforcement powers of the State Comptroller's Office.
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BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Tax - General
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- 4939 -
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