Measures to stimulate economic investment and high-paying jobs, discourage feeding feral birds and give judges discretion in setting prison terms in some felony drug cases were among the bills signed into law by the Abercrombie administration this year as the governor’s deadline to veto legislation passed Tuesday with only three measures rejected.

The three vetoes, the fewest Gov. Neil Abercrombie has issued through three legislative sessions, will stand as lawmakers did not call a special session to override them.

Abercrombie congratulated lawmakers for a productive session that resulted in significant first steps for the state, singling out key bills that initiate early childhood education, enable more residents to take advantage of renewable energy systems and set the state on a course to repay funds borrowed from cash reserves during difficult budget years.

"We will look back at 2013 as the year that launched truly transformative measures that will have lasting positive impacts on the future of our state," Abercrombie said in a statement from his office. The governor early Tuesday took Hawaiian Airlines’ inaugural flight to Taiwan where he will remain through Friday.

Among the bills signed before he left was one of the nine he originally flagged for a potential veto, House Bill 619, which makes excessive feeding of feral birds a public health nuisance. Effective immediately, the new law enables the state Health Department to investigate complaints of bird nuisances on private property and enforce the law by issuing warnings or ordering property owners to stop providing excessive amounts of feed.

The rejected measures include HB 654, to include members of professional health organizations on the Center of Nursing Advisory Board; HB 763, modifying the composition and quorum of the Hawaii State Building Code Council and revising the state Building Code; and HB 988, changing the Environmental Response Revolving Fund to include support for a standby operations center in response to an oil- or fuel-related disaster.

In all, Abercrombie signed 269 bills into law. Twelve became law without a signature — five from the veto list and seven additional measures.

Lt. Gov. Shan Tsu­tsui, acting governor while Abercrombie is away, signed seven bills Tuesday, including HB 858, appropriating $6 million to the Hawaii Strategic Development Corp. to implement the HI Growth Initiative; and Senate Bill 1349, an extension of six years and tightening of the tax credit for qualified research and development activities.

The HI Growth Initiative is an investment program to develop and promote competitive high-growth industries in Hawaii.

"This bill definitely helps diversify our economy," Tsu­tsui said at a bill signing ceremony in the governor’s office. "It’ll help to foster infrastructure by providing mentoring, collaboration and funding opportunities for Hawaii’s entrepreneurs."

BILLS allowed to become law without a signature include SB 68, giving judges discretion in setting prison terms when sentencing drug offenders in some felony cases. Advocates say the law is a needed first step toward reforming the criminal justice system to steer nonviolent offenders to treatment programs and giving judges leeway to consider a defendant’s case history in sentencing.

Abercrombie vetoed 19 measures last year and 17 the year before. None were overridden.