H.B. 686

VETOES

(i) The status of the performance indicators for the prior fiscal
year;

(ii) The status of any performance goals of their jurisdictions as
they pertain to mass transit service; and

(iii) Comparisons of performance indicators for mass transit in their
jurisdictions and other similar systems nationwide.

(g) (1) Prince George's County and Montgomery County shall each provide
for an independent management audit of the operational costs and revenues of mass
transit in their respective jurisdictions every 4 years.

(2)     The audit shall provide data on fares, cost containment measures,
comparisons with other similar mass transit systems, and other information
necessary in evaluating the operations of their transit systems.

(3)     The findings from the audit shall be used as a benchmark for the
annual performance reports.

[(4) A preliminary baseline audit shall be completed by December 1, 2000,
with a final baseline audit to be completed by December 1, 2001.]

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 686 - State Treasury - Undeliverable Checks Fund.

This bill removes a specified limit on the reissuance of undeliverable checks, and
clarifies when an undeliverable check may be returned to its source or transferred to
other accounts. This reduces the time period for retaining specified money in the
Undeliverable Checks Fund, and clarifies the circumstances under which the money
in the Fund may be transferred to the General Fund. It provides that undeliverable
checks credited to the Fund are not subject to specified statutes regarding abandoned
property.

Senate Bill 431, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by me on May
11, 2004, accomplishes the same purpose. Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign
House Bill 686.

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

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