For Immediate Release:
May 22, 2015
Contact:
Erin Montgomery erin.montgomery@maryland.gov
Shareese Churchill shareese.churchill@maryland.gov
410-974-2316
Governor Larry Hogan Vetoes Six Bills
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan today took action on six bills from the 2015 legislative session. In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the Maryland Constitution, Governor Hogan today announced that he has vetoed the following bills:
Ex-Felons Voting
The bills would allow a person convicted of a felony to register to vote when the individual is released from prison even if they are still subject to parole and probation. The fact is that persons released from incarceration on parole or mandatory supervision are still serving their time as a debt to society for their actions and haven’t yet earn the right to full societal rights and privileges.
Decriminalization of Drug Paraphernalia
The bill would have legalized the possession of marijuana-related paraphernalia by eliminating criminal penalties and would have established a civil fine for smoking marijuana in a public place. According to the governor’s veto letter “If Senate Bill 517 became law, state and local law enforcement would be left with no authority to make a traffic stop if they see someone smoking marijuana while driving. Based upon this uncertainty, the Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association, the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association, and the Maryland Sheriffs’ Association have requested a veto of Senate Bill 517.”
Criminal Forfeiture
The governor states that the bill would greatly inhibit local law enforcement agencies from pursuing asset forfeiture from drug dealers by implementing new restrictions that would interfere with joint federal and state taskforces investigating drug crimes. For those reasons the Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Association, the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association, and the Maryland Sheriffs’ Association have all recommended a veto.
Accommodation Sales and Use Tax
This bill sought to increase the tax calculation in the collection of the state sales and use tax as it applies to the sale or use of a hotel room or other accommodation facilitated by a vendor. Under current law, the taxable price is the amount paid by the consumer for the accommodation. The bill seeks to change the tax basis and is an issue currently in the courts. The Governor states that “The General Assembly should respect the long standing practice of not passing legislation that would directly affect matters being litigated in a pending court case.”
Howard County Room Rental Tax
Similar to SB 190, but would have applied only to Howard County, this bill attempted to clarify the application of the state sales and use tax as it applies to the sale or use of a hotel room or other accommodation facilitated by a vendor. Under current law, the taxable price is the amount paid by the consumer for the accommodation. The bill seeks to change the tax basis and is an issue currently in the courts. The Governor states that “The General Assembly should respect the long standing practice of not passing legislation that would directly affect matters being litigated in a pending court case.”
