May 26, 2005

The Honorable Michael E. Busch
Speaker of the House
State House
Annapolis, MD 21401

Dear Mr. Speaker:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Constitution, today I have vetoed House Bill 610 - Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance - Vehicle Theft.

This bill makes it lawful for a person to intercept a wire, oral, or electronic communication in the course of a law enforcement investigation in order to provide evidence of the commission of vehicle theft if the person is an investigative or law enforcement officer or is acting under the direction of an investigative or law enforcement officer, and the device through which the interception is made has been placed within a vehicle by or at the direction of law enforcement personnel under specified circumstances. Senate Bill 548, 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 610.

Very truly yours,
Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.
Governor