To the Honorable President and Members,
The House of Representatives of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am returning herewith, without my approval as to section 237, Substitute House Bill No. 1268 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to personnel;"

Substitute House Bill No. 1268 is an historic civil service reform act. I strongly support this act, and herald its passage into law.

Section 237 of this bill would have amended RCW 47.46.040 by changing an internal reference in subsection 1 of that statute. However, section 16 of Engrossed House Bill No. 2723, which I signed into law on March 22, 2002, repeals RCW 47.46.040(1) in its entirety. If section 237 of this bill were to become law, it would create a confusing double amendment that could not be corrected by the Code Reviser.

For these reasons, I have vetoed section 237 of Substitute House Bill No. 1268.

With the exception of section 237, Substitute House Bill No. 1268 is approved.

Respectfully submitted,

Gary Locke
Governor