May 15, 2002

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 471 - Motor Vehicles - Salvage Vehicles - Distribution of Fees.

House Bill 471 shifts the distribution of salvage vehicle inspection fees from the Vehicle Theft Prevention Fund to the auto theft unit of the Department of State Police to recover the costs of administering the salvage inspection program. Under current law, approximately $180,000 in salvage inspection fees go to the Vehicle Theft Prevention Fund.

This legislation is based on the recommendations of the 2001 Vehicle Salvage Task Force. It is an effort to provide a funding source for the State Police to automate the vehicle inspection program and reduce the wait time for inspections. While I believe the goals behind the bill are meritorious, I cannot support eliminating a revenue source for the Vehicle Theft Prevention Fund to pay for this initiative.

For the above reason, I have vetoed House Bill 471.

Sincerely,
Parris N. Glendening
Governor