March 11, 1998

The Honorable Manny M. Aragon and

Members of the Senate

Executive-Legislative Building

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87503

Honorable President and Members of the Senate:

I have this day VETOED and am returning SENATE BILL 199 passed by the Forty-Third Legislature, Second Session, 1998.

While this bill supports my Administrations continuing efforts to reorganize and consolidate state government functions, programs and operations in pursuit of efficiency and effectiveness, it contains a fundamental flaw. The proposed legislation would transfer the motor transportation division of the Taxation and Revenue Department to the Department of Public Safety. However, the necessary statutory sections which give law enforcement powers to the Motor Transportation division have been repealed. The practical effect of this repeal would mean the Motor Transportation Officers transferred to the Department of Public Safety would not be empowered to enforce the laws at their new home in the Department of Pubic Safety.

With this veto I am requesting my Secretaries of Public Safety and Taxation and Revenue to evaluate the problem this bill is attempting to address and create a concise plan which would allow the transfer of all of the necessary personnel and authorities located in the Motor Transportation Division of the Taxation and Revenue Department to the Department of Public Safety.

Sincerely,

Gary E. Johnson

Governor

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