VETO MESSAGE ON SB 5266

                   April 13, 1995

To the Honorable President and Members,

  The Senate of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am returning herewith, without my approval as to section 2, Senate Bill No. 5266 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to court reporting;"

     Section 2 of Senate Bill No. 5266 amends RCW 18.145.010 by stipulating that no person may practice court reporting without first obtaining a certificate from the Department of Licensing.  This amendment effectively elevates the regulation of this profession from certification to licensure in that it prevents non-certified individuals from performing court reporting functions in any capacity.  This change is inconsistent with the intent of RCW 18.145 to regulate the profession at the level of certification.  The law will continue to require individuals to meet and maintain minimum standards of competency in order to represent themselves as court reporters.

     For the reasons stated above, I have vetoed section 2 of Senate Bill No. 5266.

     With the exception of section 2, Senate Bill No. 5266 is approved.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                   Mike Lowry

                   Governor