April 9, 1999

The Honorable Raymond G. Sanchez and

Members of the House of Representatives

Executive-Legislative Building

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87503

Honorable Speaker and Members of the House:

I have this day VETOED and am returning HOUSE BILL 646, as amended

enacted by the Forty-Fourth Legislature, First Session, 1999.

This bill would provide the same level of privacy to all New Mexicans who have provided genetic information or gene products. Furthermore, it would assure that all patients in New Mexico have the same right to maintain the confidentiality of their genetic information. I have already signed SENATE BILL 570, passed by the Forty-Fourth Legislature which is identical to this bill. Therefore, I am vetoing HOUSE BILL 646 in order to avoid a potential conflict.

Sincerely,

Gary E. Johnson

Governor