H.B. 455

VETOES

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

Chapter 680 of the Acts of 2001, as amended by Chapter 32 of the Acts of 2003

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That:

(5) Prior to the payment of any funds under the provisions of this Act for the
purposes set forth in Section 1(3) above, the grantee shall provide and expend a
matching fund. No part of the grantee's matching fund may be provided, either
directly or indirectly, from funds of the State, whether appropriated or
unappropriated. The fund may consist of real property, in kind contributions, or funds
expended prior to the effective date of this Act. In case of any dispute as to the amount
of the matching fund or what money or assets may qualify as matching funds, the
Board of Public Works shall determine the matter and the Board's decision is final.
The grantee has until June 1, [2004] 2005, to present evidence satisfactory to the
Board of Public Works that a matching fund will be provided. If satisfactory evidence
is presented, the Board shall certify this fact and the amount of the matching fund to
the State Treasurer, and the proceeds of the loan equal to the amount of the matching
fund shall be expended for the purposes provided in this Act. Any amount of the loan
in excess of the amount of the matching fund certified by the Board of Public Works
shall be canceled and be of no further effect.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
June 1, 2004.

May 26, 2004

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, I have today
vetoed House Bill 455 — Consumer Protection - Late Fee Requirements in Consumer
Contracts - Repeal of Sunset.

This bill repeals a provision that, as of October 1, 2005, would have repealed specified
provisions relating to the inclusion in a consumer contract of a requirement to pay
specified late fees.

Senate Bill 172, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by me on
April 27, 2004, accomplishes the same purpose. Therefore, it is not necessary for me
to sign House Bill 455.

Very truly yours,
Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.
Governor

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