Signing Bills

All bills passed by the legislature must be submitted to the governor for his approval. He thus serves as the final check and balance in the legislative process. If the governor approves of a bill he signs it and deposits it with the secretary of state. If the governor considers a bill detrimental to the state, he may veto it by returning it to the legislature with a statement of his objections. A two-thirds vote in each legislative body is required to enact a bill over the governor's veto.

Of the 964 laws enacted during the 1957-58 legislative session, Governor Orville Freeman vetoed one bill, pocket vetoed four bills, and permitted three bills to become law without his signature. In the 1999-2000 session, 506 bills were sent to the governor, plus 5 resolutions. Governor Jesse Ventura signed 467, signed 15 more with line item vetoes (one of which was overridden by the legislature), vetoed 14, and five bills became law without his signature.