May17,2001

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 652 - Department of Health and Mental Hygiene - Maryland Health Care Commission - Modifications and Clarifications.

This bill increases the total fees that can be assessed by the Maryland Health Care Commission on hospitals, payors, nursing homes and health care practitioners from $8.25 million to $10 million. When assessing fees, The Commission is required to use a methodology that accounts for the portion of the Commission's workload attributable to each industry assessed. This bill also transfers the responsibility for global public health planning and local health planning agencies from the Commission to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. In addition, the bill gives the Commission authority to set reasonable deadlines for the filing of required information or reports from various entities, impose reasonable penalties for failure to meet deadlines and makes other technical corrections to current law.

Senate Bill 786, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by me, accomplishes the same purpose. Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign House Bill 652.

Sincerely,
Parris N. Glendening
Governor