May18,2000

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 1123 - Alcoholic Beverages - Hard Cider.

This bill treats hard cider the same as beer for the purposes of alcoholic beverage regulation and alcoholic beverage taxation. Hard cider is defined as a beverage consisting primarily of apples or apple concentrate, with no other fruit product, and is at least one-half of 1 percent but less than 7 percent alcohol by volume.

Senate Bill 757, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by me on April 25, 2000, accomplishes the same purpose. Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign House Bill 1123.

Sincerely,
Parris N. Glendening
Governor