May 22, 2003

The Honorable Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr.
President of the Senate
State House
Annapolis MD 21401

Dear Mr. President:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Constitution, today I have vetoed Senate Bill 180 - Public General Laws - Evidence of the Law.

This bill establishes both the Annotated Code of Maryland published by the Michie Company and the 2002 Edition of the Annotated Code of Maryland published by West, of Eagan, Minnesota as evidence of the law of the Public General Laws of the State. Currently, only the Michie publication is considered evidence of the law. The bill also provides that the code of public general laws compiled and maintained by the Department of Legislative Services is evidence of the law and modifies certain duties of the department relating to the code of public general laws.

House Bill 287, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by me, accomplishes the same purpose. Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign Senate Bill 180.

Sincerely,
Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.
Governor