Today, Governor Mark Dayton signed five bills into law-the final legislation of the 2011 legislative session. Bill numbers and brief descriptions are included below:

Chapter 112, HF 1219/SF 869, the omnibus technical tax bill. This bill includes several provisions related to economic development, including amendments to the Job Opportunities Building Zones (JOBZ) program, and the Angel Tax Credit Program, aimed at improving the existing programs. This new law is another example of Governor Dayton's continued work to find bipartisan agreement with the Legislature. The bill passed with bipartisan support.

Chapter 113, SF 54/HF 104, which provides for settlement of claims against the state. It also provides deficiency funding in the current fiscal year for several departments. Finally, it conforms the appropriations of the Department of Education and the Department of Human Services to the February 2011 forecast. The bill passed the legislature with broad, bipartisan support.

Chapter 115, HF 753/SF 792, allows for a property owner to detach their property from one municipality and annex to an abutting municipality with the support of at least one of the municipalities. Current law, enacted in 2006, requires resolutions from both cities for a property owner's petition to be successful. This new law restores and clarifies pre-2006 procedures. The bill passed the Senate with unanimous support, and the House with bipartisan support.

Chapter 116, HF 1023/SF 874, the omnibus judiciary bill, which includes a number of provisions. A large part of the bill is related to the construction of wills and trusts. The bill also addresses various issues related to the judiciary, based on recommendations from the Bar Association. The bill passed the Senate with unanimous support, and the House with broad, bipartisan support.

Chapter 117, HF 242/SF 179, which expands Gold Star license plate eligibility to surviving legal guardians and siblings of a veteran who has died while serving honorably in active military service. Under current law, only the surviving spouse and parents of a veteran are eligible. The bill also includes a Deputy Registrar fee increase of $1.50 per transaction. The bill passed the legislature with broad, bipartisan support.

Governor Dayton also vetoed Chapter 114, HF 1381, the education policy bill, today. In the letter, Governor Dayton states "This bill prohibits the Commissioner of Education from adopting Common Core Standards, which 42 other states have adopted." In fact, the bill does not allow the Commissioner of Education to adopt Common Core Standards without legislative approval. Governor Dayton notes a number of provisions in the bill with which he agrees, but outlines a number of specific objections. /governor/assets/ch-114-hf1381-veto.pdf_tcm1055-92320.pdfA copy of the veto message is attached.

Including these final bills sent to Governor Dayton during the 2011 legislative session, Governor Dayton has signed 93 bills into law. A comprehensive list of legislation signed or vetoed by Governor Dayton this session can be found at: http://mn.gov/governor/policy/legislation/