Some major legislation died at midnight Monday when lawmakers ran out of time to finalize bills.

Many of the bills enjoyed widespread support, but disputes arose between the Senate and House or the Legislature and governor, preventing them from becoming law.

A welfare reform bill actually passed, but legislative leaders decided not to send it to the governor.

State Rep. John Lepper, R-Attleboro, said the governor had wanted changes in the bill to bring it into compliance with federal requirements.

The Legislature accepted some of the governor's amendments, but rejected others. State Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, said leaders figured the governor would veto the final version of the bill, so the Legislature decided not to submit it.

Instead, welfare rules will remain `` status quo,'' she said.

Lepper said the problem with the status quo is that it does not comply with federal mandates that the states get more welfare recipients into work programs.

He said Massachusetts could lose federal aid as a result.

The bill could be revived during an informal session this summer or fall, but that requires unanimous consent of the Legislature.

Another bill that had support but failed to make it through the midnight deadline was legislation to toughen sex offender laws.

State Sen. Scott Brown, R-Wrentham, said he was frustrated by the development, but will try to revive the bill.

He said the bill may have been held up by a disagreement between the House and Senate over amendments.

State Rep. Richard Ross, R-Wrentham, said the end of the session was highly confusing, with votes being taken every minute without time to digest the bills.

`` That's another reason I don't like these midnight sessions,'' he said. One bill that never got dealt with was one that set minimum staffing levels for nurses at hospitals.

The House had approved the bill 133-20 in May, but the Senate never acted on it.

The Legislature, however, did override Gov. Mitt Romney's veto on a bill raising the state minimum wage to $8 an hour over two years.

For state Rep. Virginia Coppola, R-Foxboro, midnight brought an end to her involvement in formal sessions, as she is not running for re-election.

She said the closing days were hectic and confusing.

Coppola said it was disappointing that the Legislature decided to override so many of Romney's budget vetoes because it will lead to higher spending and less money in reserve accounts.

JIM HAND can be reached at 508-236-0399 or at jhand@thesunchronicle.com.