May17,2000

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 120 - Vehicle Laws - Personal Residential Reserved Parking for Persons with Permanent Physical Disability - Review of Eligibility.

House Bill 120 would require the Motor Vehicle Administration to conduct a review of all personal residential permits for reserved parking spaces, issued to residents who have a permanent physical disability, every 2 years from the date of issuance to determine if eligibility requirements continue to be met. If it is determined that the requirements are no longer being met, the MVA would be required to revoke the permit and require the removal of the sign designating the reserved space.

There are approximately 8,000 personal residential permits for reserved parking spaces in existence throughout the State. The MVA currently conducts this type of review when a citizen has filed a complaint about the potential abuse of a reserved parking space. Based on current permits, this legislation would require the MVA to review 4,320 cases annually.

The MVA is constructing an automated system to manage, control and audit the disabled placards program, which was enacted in 1999. When complete, the system will also allow better controls over the eligibility of special parking place holders. One facet of this system would provide MVA the ability to link this system with those of the federal Social Security Administration and local vital records offices. This would enable the Administration to secure needed disability and mortality information electronically, thus accomplishing the intent of this bill more simply and far more economically. With the implementation of the new automated system, House Bill 120 will not be necessary.

For this reason, I have vetoed House Bill 120.

Sincerely,
Parris N. Glendening
Governor