(DES MOINES) - Gov. Branstad today signed the following bills into law:

House File 2067: an Act relating to the use of youth spring wild turkey hunting licenses, and including effective date provisions. 

House File 2297: an Act relating to the regulation of pharmacy benefits managers.

Senate File 2305: an Act relating to emergency management assistance in a disaster emergency concerning mutual aid arrangements and agreements.

Senate File 2230: an Act relating to education by providing technical corrections to revise references and to adjust language to reflect current state school finance practices, revising references to an accrediting agency, reestablishing a rulemaking provision relating to the beginning teacher mentoring and induction program, and providing for disposition and sale of certain school district property.

Senate File 2206: an Act concerning the Iowa Finance Authority in regard to the title guaranty program and private activity bonds.

Senate File 2205: an Act relating to matters under the purview of the credit union division of the Department of Commerce, and including effective date provisions.

Senate File 2197: an Act relating to certain conditional permits issued by the Department of Natural Resources relating to air and water quality.

Senate File 2193: an Act relating to the admission or retention of participants in an adult day services program.

Senate File 2133: an Act relating to federal home loan bank rights regarding collateral pledged by insurer-members.

Senate File 2105: an Act relating to various matters involving insurance and the insurance division of the Department of Commerce and including applicability provisions.

Senate File 2083: an Act concerning licensure requirements for dietetics as established or approved by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

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Takes a stand for Iowa farmers against unconstitutional California law

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Branstad today joined a lawsuit in the Eastern District of California opposing California's egg-production law that discriminates against Iowa's egg producers.

Gov. Branstad, along with other five other states, argues that California's egg-production law is unconstitutional and violates the commerce clause.

"The burdensome law from the State of California effectively regulates the industry across state lines, hurts Iowa agriculture and is detrimental to Iowa egg producers," said Branstad. "Iowa is by far the leading egg producing state in the nation. This law is an unwarranted burden being imposed on Iowa's producers by another state and violates the interstate commerce clause of the United States Constitution."

Iowa's egg farmers lead the nation in egg production by producing nearly 15 billion eggs per year.  Almost one out of every five eggs produced in the United States are produced in Iowa.  The Iowa egg industry contributes about $2 billion in total sales and impacts about 8,000 jobs.

"Governor Branstad and I know a strong agricultural economy is critical to our continued economic growth," said Iowa Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds. "California's law adversely affects Iowa agricultural jobs and we believe its negative effects and regulations felt by egg producers across the country is a violation of the commerce clause. We're pleased that Democrats and Republicans are coming together in support of agriculture and against onerous regulations."

The lawsuit, which was filed by Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster and co-signed by the attorney generals of Nebraska, Oklahoma, Alabama, Kentucky and Gov. Branstad, argues that the court should rule that California's law violates the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution.  The commerce clause prohibits any state from enacting legislation that regulates conduct wholly outside its borders, protects its own citizens from out-of-state competition, or places undue burdens on interstate commerce.

"California's effort to unconstitutionally limit the ability of Iowa farmers to access California's consumers must be stopped.   I support all efforts to uphold the right of Iowa farmers to sell their products, including eggs, in every state free from unconstitutional restraints imposed by any state," said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey.

California's law puts unnecessary burdens on Iowa farms which could force some Iowa farmers out of business.

Facts about Iowa egg production

• Iowa is the number on state in egg production.  Iowa farmers produce over 14.4 billion eggs per year.
• Approximately 9.1% of those eggs - 1.07 billion eggs per year - are sold in California.
• Iowa farmers export more eggs to California than any other state.
• 30% of the eggs imported to California are produced in Iowa.

The full Amended Complaint can be read here.

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Letter sent as President Obama reappoints Gov. Branstad as Co-Chairman of the Council of Governors

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Branstad today joined a letter signed by 50 governors to President Obama to express overwhelming bipartisan concerns regarding the Obama Administration's proposed Army budget.

The governors write:  "For more than a decade, our National Guard has demonstrated that it is a cost-effective, operational force that is critical to our national security at home and abroad."

This past weekend, Gov. Branstad discussed his concerns about the cuts to the National Guard with his colleagues during the meetings of the National Governors Association.  He also directly shared concerns with President Obama, Vice President Biden, Secretary of Defense Hagel, and additional high-level Pentagon leaders.

In addition, President Obama yesterday announced he reappointed Gov. Branstad as co-chairman of the Council of Governors.

The Council of Governors was established by the National Defense Authorization Act in 2008 to strengthen further partnership between the Federal and State governments as it pertains to national security. The council is balanced by political party and serves the nation as a whole. The governors serve two-year terms and are appointed by the President. The President designates two members of different political affiliations to serve as co-chairs of the Council. The governors work closely with the Adjutants General, including Major General Timothy Orr, to help amplify the states' perspective in Federal policy discussions.

Governor Branstad stated the following: "Iowans are served extremely well by the men and women of the Iowa National Guard.  The Guard has helped communities across Iowa effectively respond to disasters, like floods and tornadoes, and Guard personnel have aptly served our entire nation abroad since 9/11."

Lt. Governor Reynolds stated the following: "In a time of fiscal constraints the Guard provides our nation with a cost-effective hedge against risk, provides capability and capacity, and the ability to quickly surge to meet our nation's security needs.  With the Guard we get double value as Guard personnel serve our citizens at home during emergencies, and serve effectively in operations overseas."

Major General Timothy Orr, Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard, stated the following:  "The Iowa National Guard has proven its readiness, reliability, and cost-effectiveness continually over the past 12 years. The performance of our Soldiers, Airmen, and units during the historic operation tempo of our nation's military has been second to none, particularly as evidenced by the deployment of more than 17,000 Iowa National Guard Soldiers and Airmen in defense of our nation since Sept. 11, 2001. We are deeply appreciative of the efforts of Governor Branstad and all of the nation's governors to maintain the readiness and organizational integrity of the National Guard."

Since 9/11, significant growth in the Army active duty was not matched in the Guard personnel increases.  Governors and Adjutants General are now encouraging congressional leaders to preserve National Guard force structure and end-strength.  State leaders understand the need to cut Federal spending and want Federal leaders to work with the Adjutants General to find and achieve cost savings and common ground.  State leaders do not want the Guard to return to its former role as a strategic reserve.  The Guard also helps drive connectivity between the 1% of Americans who serve and the 99% of Americans who do not or have not.

The full text of the letter is as follows:

February 28, 2014

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

The nation's governors strongly oppose the potential cuts to the Army National Guard advocated by the U.S. Army's fiscal 2015 budget request.

For more than a decade, our National Guard has demonstrated it is a cost-effective, operational force that is critical to our national security at home and abroad.

As commanders-in-chief, we appreciate the need to reorganize, restructure and modernize the military to meet new threats and economic realities. All sectors of the military need to be involved in meeting the targets set by the Budget Control Act of 2011 and the realities of having fewer forces engaged abroad. In doing so, however, the Army Guard's operational capabilities and 350,000 end strength level must be preserved.

The Army's proposed cuts suggest a pre-2001 strategic reserve construct. Governors are extremely proud of the role that the National Guard plays in protecting this nation and its citizens. The modern National Guard is a highly experienced and capable combat force and an essential state partner in responding to domestic disasters and emergencies. A return to a pre-9/11 role squanders the investment and value of the Guard and discredits its accomplishments at home and as an active combat force.

Two years ago we opposed similar efforts to dramatically cut personnel and equipment from the Air National Guard. Congress subsequently chose not to impose the cuts and called for a National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force. That commission recently concluded that the Guard is a cost-effective and invaluable force that should be a critical component of the total force structure. The Commission's conclusions and the ongoing Army debate strengthen the case for a similar independent review of the Army's future force structure and active and reserve component mix.

We respectfully request that you reconsider proposed cuts to the Army National Guard and changes to the Guard's combat aviation capabilities, and that you work with us to fashion solutions that provide a scalable, cost-effective force that best serves the interests of our nation.

Event to take place on 100th anniversary of Norman Borlaug's birth

(DES MOINES) - Governor Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds applauded House Speaker John Boehner and other congressional leaders' announcement today that a statue of Iowa's Dr. Norman E. Borlaug will be installed at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., on March 25.

"The unveiling with be a historic event and celebration of Dr. Borlaug's legacy. His agricultural innovations saved an estimated billion people around the world from hunger and starvation," Governor Branstad said. "It is a fitting tribute that our state and nation will honor Dr. Borlaug on the 100th anniversary of his birth and on National Agriculture Day."

"The installation of Dr. Borlaug's statue will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a proud moment for our state," Lt. Governor Reynolds said. "Dr. Borlaug's statue will stand in honor of all that he achieved to help so many around the world. I am very pleased visitors to the U.S. Capitol will be able to learn more about Dr. Borlaug and highlight our state's leadership in agriculture, the biosciences, and STEM education."

Dr. Borlaug, a Cresco native, dedicated his life to breeding better varieties of wheat, and working with farmers and politicians alike to improve methods and policies to alleviate hunger and malnutrition worldwide. His achievements earned him recognition as "Father of the Green Revolution" and the distinction of receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Congressional Gold Medal, America's highest civilian honor.

In 2011, the Iowa Legislature approved a resolution and Governor Branstad appointed the Dr. Norman E. Borlaug Statue Committee to raise funds and commission an artist to design, create and install a statue of Borlaug into the U.S. Capitol Building. After conducting a worldwide artist search, the committee chose Benjamin Victor of South Dakota.

"From our decade of working together, I knew Dr. Borlaug - our state's and our country's greatest agricultural scientist - to be the most humble, hard-working and inspiring person I ever encountered," said Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn, President of Borlaug's World Food Prize Foundation and the Chairman of the Statue Committee.  "Our committee extends our profound appreciation to Governor Branstad, Lieutenant Governor Reynolds, the bipartisan leadership of the Iowa Legislature, and the entire Iowa congressional delegation for the privilege to be part of this project, as well as to the artist Ben Victor for his magnificent creation of Dr. Borlaug's statue, and DuPont Pioneer and an anonymous donor for their great generosity in funding the cost of fabricating and installing the Borlaug statue."

"The global impact that Dr. Borlaug had is an example and a challenge to all of us as we look to the future and Iowa's role in feeding and fueling a growing world," said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey. "The installation of this statue will be a great opportunity to celebrate Dr. Borlaug and help inspire others, especially our youth that he was so passionate about, through his amazing story."

The statue of Borlaug will be part of the National Statuary Hall Collection at the U.S. Capitol Building, where each state is represented by two statues of notable citizens. The statue of Borlaug will replace the statue of U.S. Senator James Harlan installed in 1910, which will be relocated to Mount Pleasant, Iowa. The second statue representing Iowa is of Governor Samuel Kirkwood, installed in 1913.

Iowans are invited to participate in this momentous milestone in our state's history. Visit www.iowaborlaugstatue.org information about the statue and related events, including a link to the webcast of the March 25 ceremony. That site also includes information about a documentary on this project created by Iowa Public Television, and links to resources on www.worldfoodprize.org/norm where people can learn more about the Borlaug Centennial and get involved in sharing Dr. Borlaug's mission to fight hunger.

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