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How an Idea Becomes a Law in Minnesota

What is the Governor’s Role in this Process?

Once a bill has passed both houses, the Revisor’s office will prepare a final, official version of the bill to be presented to the Governor, who will decide the bill’s fate. The only exceptions to this are resolutions between the House and Senate (for example, joint rules) or constitutional amendments, which do not need to be signed by the Governor to take effect. Otherwise, the governor has several options.

The Governor May Sign the Bill

The Governor may sign the bill, thereby making the bill law immediately upon providing his signature. The requirements in the new law typically become effective on August 1 of the year that the bill is signed, or on July 1 for money appropriations. However, laws sometimes prescribe a specific effective date, either by stating a date certain or providing that the law will become effective immediately on passage. During the legislative session, the Governor must decide whether or not to sign a bill within three days after the bill is presented to him. If he does not sign the bill, the bill becomes law without his signature and is filed with the Secretary of State.

The Governor May Veto the Bill

The Governor can veto the bill, which has the effect of sending the bill back to the House and Senate and not allowing the bill to become law. However, this veto may be overridden if both the House and Senate vote against the Governor’s veto with a 2/3 majority. If a veto override is successful, the bill becomes law without the Governor’s signature.

The Governor May Line Item Veto the Bill

The Governor can also line item veto a bill that contains financial appropriations, such as a budget bill or capital investment (bonding) bill. Line item vetoes alter the financial provisions of a bill while allowing the remainder of the bill to become law. Line item vetoes are subject to veto overrides just like any other veto.

The Governor May Pocket Veto the Bill

Once the legislative session has ended, usually around the third week in May every year, the rules of the game change. Now, the Governor has up to fourteen days to sign or veto a bill, rather than only three. However, if the Governor chooses not to sign a bill during the fourteen day period, the bill does not become law. After the legislative session is over, the Governor has two options if he does not want a bill to become law: veto the bill, or simply not sign the bill. This latter option is known as pocket-vetoing, which essentially kills the bill without having a standard veto documented. Since a pocket veto is not a true veto, it is merely the Governor’s failure to sign a bill. Pocket vetoes cannot be overridden by the legislature.

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