With just weeks left in the 2004 legislative session, the big issues remain open on the negotiation tables at the Legislature. Both the House and Senate will sit down in conference committees to work out agreements on the major finance bills, from transportation and K-12 education to agriculture and health and human services. Many smaller bills have already been signed into law by Governor Pawlenty without much fanfare. As of last week, more than 25 bills had been sent to his office for approval or veto. According to a staff person in the House Revisor’s Office (the Office of the Revisor of Statutes assists members with legal advice from the draft of a bill through its presentation to the governor), the number of bills presented to the governor at this point in session is higher than normal. Here’s a look at some of the bills the governor has already signed into law. Veteran’s notification This bill permits the Minnesota Department of Revenue to disclose to the Department of Veterans Affairs, upon written request, certain veteran’s taxpayer identification information. This would enable the VA to more easily notify veterans of military-related health hazards that might affect them, or to notify surviving dependents of potential benefits. Job reference Minnesota companies will not be allowed to pass along certain employment information to other prospective employers without undue fear of litigation. Such information would include wages and job descriptions as well as written disclosures of any instances of theft, harassment, violence or other illegal conduct. The bill also requires school districts to share documented information about an employee’s sexual misconduct or violence toward a student. Previously, many employers were reluctant to discuss a former employee’s job record for fear of litigation from a disgruntled employee who believed such a reference led to not getting a job. Grafitti crimes You may see fewer instances of grafitti under a new law that allows property owners to seek damages. It would allow recovery of three times the cost of restoring the property, and allows courts to order a defendant to do restoration work as an alternative to paying damages. The new law will also allow recovery of damages from the parents of a minor (up to $1,000). Grafitti is defined as unauthorized markings on public or private property that are visible from premises open to the public. Town credit With more and more individuals and businesses conducting business with “plastic,” the state has allowed city and county governments to also make payments by electronic or wire funds transfer, and to accept payment by credit card, debit card, and other forms of electronic or wire funds transfer. Under the new law, towns are now added to the list.
