VETO MESSAGE ON SB 5484

                   May 9, 1997

To the Honorable President and Members,

  The Senate of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am returning herewith, without my approval, Senate Bill No. 5484 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to water recreation facilities;"

     Senate Bill No. 5484 would greatly increase the number of swimming pools or other water recreation facilities owned by the homeowner associations and mobile home parks that are exempt from health and safety rules, and create a serious health and safety risk to residents of Washington.  While I am sensitive to the economic impacts regulation has on small homeowner associations and mobile home parks, the increased risk of illness, injury or death that would be created by this bill cannot be justified. 

     I am directing the Department of Health to review the Water Recreation Program regulations and to work with local health jurisdictions to assure that program rules, fees and charges are equitable both to protect the health and safety of the public and to limit the financial burden on the facilities affected.

     For this reason, I have vetoed Senate Bill No. 5484 in its entirety.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                   Gary Locke

                   Governor