PRESS RELEASE
Office of the Governor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, May 20, 2005

Governor Ehrlich Vetoes 25 Bills

Will Appoint Election Commission, Sign Safe School Reporting Act, Hate Crime Penalties Act Bills

Governor Ehrlich today vetoed 25 bills from the 2005 Legislative Session. Copies of the veto messages can be found at www.governor.maryland.gov/billvetoes/2005/veto_list_2005.html by 5:30 p.m.

“The bill review process has been both thoughtful and deliberative,” said Governor Ehrlich. “I am confident the decisions made today are in the best interest of good policy, sound government and fiscal responsibility for Maryland's citizens.”

Governor Ehrlich announced his intention to appoint a commission to examine and evaluate the election law bills passed this session and make recommendations concerning our State's election process. Governor Ehrlich also announced that he intends to sign HB 407- Safe School Reporting Act and HB 692 - Hate Crimes Penalties Act at the bill signing ceremony on May 26, 2005.

The following bills were vetoed:

List of Policy Vetoes – 2005 Legislative Session

Senate Bill 164 / House Bill 361 – Advisory Committee on the Management and Protection of the State's Water Resources

Senate Bill 225/ House Bill 678 - State Lottery - Prize Winners - Voluntary Assignments

Senate Bill 257 – Maryland Commission for Women

Senate Bill 281 - Commission to Study Southern Maryland Transportation Needs

Senate Bill 287- Voters Rights Protection Act of 2005

Senate Bill 312 / House Bill 111 - Baltimore City - Illegal Dumping - Surveillance Systems

Senate Bill 324 – Procurement - Payment Security and Performance Security

Senate Bill 468 / House Bill 405 - Department of Juvenile Services - Youth Services Bureaus - Predelinquent Diversion Services

Senate Bill 478 - Election Law - Early Voting

Senate Bill 790 / House Bill 1284 – Fair Share Health Care Fund Act
(Vetoed on May 19, 2005)

Senate Bill 796 - Medical Decision Making Act of 2005

Senate Bill 849/ House Bill 479 - Election Law - Voting System - Study of Independent Verification Systems

Senate Bill 1005 - Navigable Water - Licenses for Improvements to Land - Fee Limits

House Bill 346 – Procurement - Percentage Price Preference - Environmentally Preferable Products or Equipment

House Bill 391 – Labor and Employment - Minimum Wage – Increase

House Bill 443 - Montgomery County - Vehicle Laws - Speed Monitoring Systems MC 513-05

House Bill 498 - Procurement - eMaryland Marketplace

House Bill 607 - Police and Court Records - Nuisance Crimes – Expungement

House Bill 622 - Elections - Absentee Voting on Demand

House Bill 675 - Elections - State Elections Office and State Elections Advisory Committee
(Crossfile Bill was vetoed on April 8, 2005)

House Bill 900 – Children - Records - Access by the Baltimore City Health Department

House Bill 979 - Department of Juvenile Services Reform Act of 2005

House Bill 1162 - Civil Actions - Burden of Proof - Uninsured Motorist Coverage

House Bill 1298 - Recordation and Transfer Taxes - Exemptions - Domestic Partners

House Bill 1342 - Juvenile Justice Monitoring - Transfer to Office of the Attorney General

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