ByBenjamin Dipman, Tribune staff writer

The first bill Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed in 2004 was related to recent deaths in the St. Paul caves near Wabasha Street.

Current law protects property owners from liability when citizens use the property for &uot;recreational purposes,&uot; such as swimming, boating, picnicking, hiking, bicycling and horseback riding.

The bill would have added rock climbing and exploring caves to the definition of recreational purposes.

But Pawlenty vetoed the bill, saying,

&uot;We’ve seen first-hand the dangers involved in cave exploration. This bill could decrease precautions necessary to avoid tragedy in the future.&uot;

However, Pawlenty signed into law four bills that could affect local residents.

– A state law relating to truck driver hours was changed to conform to federal law. The law describes the hours truckers may drive during certain periods. The new change excludes &uot;the federal government, the state, or any political subdivision&uot; from the law.

– An environmental law that regulates underground petroleum storage tanks was altered to include aboveground storage tanks.

– A law designed to promote tourism creates an Explore Minnesota Tourism branch within the Office of Tourism. The director will be appointed by the governor and supervised by the commissioner of employment and economic development. The branch will have 28 representatives, all to be appointed by the governor. The law is effective on July 1.

In other state government activity, two major proposals were defeated this week, one in the House, the other in the Senate.

– The Senate bonding bill failed when it did not receive enough votes for a two-thirds majority.

With the session ending a week from tomorrow, there is a possibility, albeit small, for the bill to be altered and passed.

– The House version of the stadium proposal failed in the House Ways and Means Committee Friday.

Earlier this week, the proposal passed 15 to 13 in the Tax Committee. Had it passed Ways and Means, it would have gone to the House floor.

(Contact Benjamin Dipman at ben.dipman@albertleatribune.com or 379-3439.)