VETO MESSAGE ON SB 5142-S

April 17, 2003

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 3, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 5142 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to permitting children of certificated and classified school employees to enroll at the school where the employee is assigned;"

This bill requires, upon application, that school districts enroll children of their certificated and classified school employees in the school to which the employee is assigned, or to one of the schools in the feeder school system for the school to which the employee is assigned.

Section 3 of this bill would have provided for certain reporting requirements. The veto of this section has been requested by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and has the concurrence of the bill sponsor and the sponsor of the Section 3 amendment. Nonetheless, I understand that the Superintendent of Public Instruction intends to provide information regarding the provisions of this bill to the legislature by means of a survey. I support this less burdensome approach.

For these reasons, I have vetoed section 3 of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 5142.

With the exception of section 3, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 5142 is approved.

Respectfully submitted,

Gary Locke

Governor