One of these bills I was proud to carry. The new law creates a misdemeanor to knowingly deceive another regarding the time, place or manner of conducting an election or the qualifications for voter eligibility. This is one of several initiatives we've passed during the last two years that help Minnesota comply with the Help America Vote Act, and this legislation will help stop people from misleading people away from the polls by telling them the wrong voting information and protect the integrity of our polling places. This seems hard to believe, but it has happened in Minnesota.

Enhanced tools for fighting identity theft also are being enacted. Not only will consumers be able to place a security freeze on distribution of their credit report, but creditors will no longer be able to offer or provide credit to someone under age 18 without a written request from a parent or guardian.

The new mercury emission reduction law targets Minnesota's six larges coal-fired power plants, and will remove 1,200 pounds of mercury from our air each year. Under terms of the deal, emissions from these plants would be reduced by 90% by the year 2015.

There's also a new abortion regulation. Under the new law, a female seeking an abortion because the fetus has been diagnosed with a fetal anomaly that will inevitably result in the death of the infant must be informed of available perinatal hospice services, and offered this care as an alternative to abortion.

A new law now requires employers to grant leaves of absence to employees whose family members either are mobilized for active duty military service or are injured or killed during such service. Also included are higher education fairness provisions for veterans.