Gov. Larry Hogan has vetoed eight bills passed by the Democratic majority in the General Assembly and will let hundreds of others become law without his signature, his office announced Friday.
One of the vetoed bills abolishes the Handgun Permit Review Board, which hears appeals of decisions by the Maryland State Police to reject applications for permits to carry concealed handguns.
The vetoed bill instead sends appeals to administrative judges.
The Democrats backing the bill say the five members of the board, who are appointed by the governor, are too lax about overturning decisions by the state police.
But Hogan said in his veto letter that the bill creates unnecessary burdens for law-abiding citizens.
He also vetoed a bill prohibiting employers from asking job applicants about their criminal histories before the first in-person interview. Another vetoed bill would expand Maryland residents’ abilities to get in-state tuition at state colleges and universities.
Senate President Mike Miller and House Speaker Adrienne Jones issued statements expressing disappointment with the vetoes. Both said they expect to override some of the vetoes when the legislature reconvenes in January.