VETO MESSAGE ON HB 1387-S

                   May 16, 1995

To the Honorable Speaker and Members,

  The House of Representatives of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am returning herewith, without my approval as to sections 4, 5, and 6, Substitute House Bill No. 1387 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to massage practitioners;"

     Substitute House Bill No. 1387 establishes stiff penalties for massage practitioners engaged in prostitution and will enable local law enforcement and the state to crack down on abuses.

     Sections 4, 5, and 6 would prohibit cities and counties from imposing a higher business license on massage therapists than on other business professionals.  Although I support this objective, these sections also restrict local governments utilizing professional licensing from raising revenue above the cost of administration of the licensing function.  Eliminating this revenue source would result in a significant loss of revenue needed to defray on-going related costs borne by cities and counties.

     For this reason, I am vetoing sections 4, 5, and 6 of Substitute House Bill No. 1387.

     With the exception of sections 4, 5, and 6, Substitute House Bill No. 1387 is approved.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                   Mike Lowry

                   Governor