VETO MESSAGE ON SB 5525

                   April 15, 1999

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. 5525 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to appointment of a county legislative authority member of the forest practices board;"

     Senate Bill No. 5525 limits a governor's appointment authority to the Forest Practices Board.  Under the current statute, a governor must appoint an elected member of a county legislative authority to serve as one of the members of the Forest Practices Board.  SB 5525 would limit a governor's selection to an exclusive list of three provided by the Washington State Association of Counties.  A governor would not have the ability to ask for more names if none of the first three were acceptable.

     The current statutory arrangement for the appointment of the county member to the Forest Practices Board has worked well.  A governor should, and most governors have, as a matter of practice consulted with the Washington State Association of Counties when selecting the county member.

     I will continue to consult with the Washington State Association of Counties on this important appointment.  SB 5525 is too restrictive and sets an unnecessary precedent in limiting a governor's discretion in making appointments.  A limitation of such extent is not warranted.

     For these reasons, I have vetoed Senate Bill No. 5525 in its entirety.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                   Gary Locke

                   Governor