(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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State's Investment Will Clean Up Site to Create New Public Sports Fields and Green Space for Future Generations

CHICAGO – Governor Pat Quinn today announced a $2 million state investment to clean up land to allow Kerry Wood Cubs Field to move forward. The project was halted nearly a year ago when environmental contaminants were discovered. The cleanup will allow work to continue on the seven-acre site that will be utilized by students throughout Chicago and include baseball, soccer and other sports fields, green space and seating for more than 1,000 people. The move is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to ensure a clean and healthy environment for future generations.

"Kerry Wood helped the Cubs make many comebacks during his storied career, and today we are helping him make one more," Governor Quinn said. "This investment will kick-start this important project to turn an old industrial site into a state-of-the-art sports center for youth and families throughout the city."

"I'm grateful to Governor Quinn and the state of Illinois for their support in providing a safe environment for Chicago's kids," Wood said. "Kerry Wood Cubs Field will be a special place for our community for years to come. Having been drafted out of high school, I know the importance of having a place to play. Keeping baseball alive in our city is something that is close to my heart. I'm excited for our kids to play under the lights and start their own dreams. Anything is possible."

"I'd like to thank Governor Quinn for helping to ensure Kerry Wood Cubs Field will become a reality for youth and families across Chicago," Chicago Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts said. "This is a testament to the collective power of Illinois' strong public, private and individual efforts to improve the quality of life in neighborhoods and communities."

"This is a great example of cooperation between the state, the city and the Cubs that allows us to complete Kerry Wood Cubs Field and build an amateur sports complex all Chicagoans will be proud to use," U.S. Representative Mike Quigley said. "It's an honor to be a part of this effort to give our community access to a resource that I know will create a tremendous home field advantage."

"After hearing from Lane Tech parents frustrated with delays, I'm pleased to have worked with the Governor Pat Quinn and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to clean up and revive this space for the community to enjoy," Illinois Senate President John Cullerton said.

"This wonderful addition to our community will benefit all who live in this neighborhood," State Representative Ann Williams said. "Thank you to Governor Quinn and the Chicago Cubs for their efforts to make this dream a reality."

"Kerry Wood's contributions on the field have been eclipsed only by his contributions to Chicago and our children, and this field is one more landmark to his legacy," Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said. "I want to thank Kerry and the Governor for their efforts to move this project forward and help ensure that every child in the city has access to a world-class park."

"I am grateful for Governor Quinn's leadership and his steadfast commitment to public schools, parks and the community at-large," Alderman Ameya Pawar (47th) said. "As a result of his commitment, the long-standing vision for Clark Park will soon become a reality. In under just three years, he's directed over $12 million in state funds to parks and schools in the 47th ward. I am thankful to have such a great partner."

Kerry Wood Cubs Field will be built on a property located at 3457 N. Rockwell St., which is contaminated from its former use as a brick yard. The state's investment, through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), will fund the removal of contaminated soil, followed by site grading and leveling. The contamination is limited to the site and there are no safety issues for the surrounding area.

"This project is a great example of the work we do every day to improve Illinois communities by cleaning up contaminated sites to benefit residents and young people," IEPA Director Lisa Bonnett said.

Once complete, Kerry Wood Cubs Field will be run by the Chicago Park District. It will serve nearby Lane Tech High School and other public high schools throughout the city, and be available to recreational leagues and the general public.

The field will meet the regulations of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA), making it eligible to host state baseball playoffs. Currently many students who play baseball at Chicago high schools have to travel out of the city to play on fields that meet IHSA regulations.

The construction of the $5 million project is supported by contributions from the Cubs, Chicago Cubs Charities, the Wood Family Foundation, the City of Chicago, the Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Schools and Turner Construction.

Congressman announces annual competition, winner will receive two round-trip air tickets to see their artwork displayed in US Capitol

Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today invited high school students from across Iowa's First Congressional District to submit original artwork for the annual Congressional Art Competition, "An Artistic Discovery."

"There are many talented high school artists in eastern Iowa, and I encourage young artists across the First District to participate in this year's art competition," Braley said. "It's my great pleasure to feature young Iowa artists in the US Capitol, and it's a wonderful opportunity for their work to be on display for visitors from around the country to see."

The Congressional Art Competition, first held in 1982, is a nationwide high school arts competition sponsored by the US House of Representatives.  One winning piece of artwork from each congressional district will be selected to be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the US Capitol Building in Washington for one year.

Any high school student from the First Congressional District of Iowa is eligible to submit their artwork for consideration.  To enter, students must submit a digital image of their artwork via Braley's website.  The submissions will be compiled into an internet gallery for public voting.

The submission deadline is April 22^nd, 2014.  There is a limit of one submission per student.  Voting will begin on April 23, 2014 and close on May 1, 2014 when the winner will be announced.  He or she will receive two round-trip airline tickets to Washington, DC, to see their artwork displayed and attend a winners' reception.

For full details on the 2014 Art Competition, including information on how to enter, please visit Braley's website.

List of Past Iowa First District Art Competition Winners:

2008    Stephanie Tarnish, Davenport

2009    Mitch Doll, Davenport

2010    Emily Schroeder, Cedar Falls

2011    Krista Stork, Dubuque
2012    Kelsey Feldman, West Union

2013    Skylar Papakee, Meskwaki Settlement High School

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MOLINE, Ill. (March 13, 2014) - The Quad City Mallards' Ty Rimmer has been named one of five finalists for the Central Hockey League Most Outstanding Goaltender award while the Mallards' Thomas Frazee has been named a finalist for the CHL's Rookie of the Year award and Quad City's Nicholas Rioux has been selected as a finalist for the league's Most Outstanding Defenseman honor, the Mallards announced today in conjunction with the CHL.

Rimmer, a 21-year old rookie, has gone 17-11-4 in 34 games this season and is tied for third in the league in shutouts (3), ranks sixth in goals against average (2.76) and save percentage (.910) and ranks seventh in wins.  The 6' 1", 170-pound Edmonton native is in the midst of a four game winning streak and has gone 7-1-0 in his last ten games.

Rimmer played three American Hockey League games for the Oklahoma City Barons in December, going 1-0-1 with a 2.65 goals against average and a .930 save percentage during his AHL call-up.  Rimmer was also named CHL Rookie of the Month for December.

In preseason, Rimmer participated in not only the Barons' training camp but also the camp of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers.

Rimmer got his first taste of professional hockey last spring when he played one game for the AHL's Manchester Monarchs after completing his junior career with the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League.  Rimmer last season led the WHL in minutes played (3,836) and total saves (2,106) while posting 3.19 goals against average, a .912 save percentage, a record of 24-30-10 and one shutout in 65 games with the Hurricanes.

The 2011-12 campaign was especially successful for Rimmer, who earned WHL First Team All-Star honors after leading the league in goals against average (2.43) and save percentage (.922), finishing tied for first in shutouts (5) and finishing tied for eighth in wins while going 31-12-1 in 46 games for the Tri-City Americans.  His standout efforts helped propel the Americans to the United States Division title.

Over three-plus Western League seasons- during which he also played for the Brandon Wheat Kings and Prince George Cougars in addition to the Americans and Hurricanes- Rimmer went 74-65-14 in 159 games and turned in a 3.01 goals against average, a .910 save percentage and ten shutouts. Before becoming a WHL workhorse, Rimmer spent parts of two seasons in the Alberta Junior Hockey League with the St. Albert Steel and Bonnyville Pontiacs.

Among CHL rookies, the 23-year old Frazee is tied for third in points (37), ranks fourth in goals (18) and ranks sixth in assists (19).  Frazee, who has turned in a plus/minus rating of +8 in 49 games, also ranks third in the overall in shorthanded goals (3).  The 6' 3", 210-pound North Vancouver product was named CHL Rookie of the Month for November.

Frazee last year scored seven goals and totaled 22 points in 16 games for Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario.  Frazee first arrived at Lakehead midway through the 2011-12 season, a campaign Frazee began with the ECHL's Bakersfield Condors.  Frazee scored once and picked up three assists in 13 games as a Condor before making the move to the university ranks.

Frazee spent five-plus seasons in the major junior Western Hockey League, skating for the Portland Winter Hawks, Medicine Hat Tigers, Moose Jaw Warriors, Regina Pats and Kamloops Blazers between 2006 and 2011.  Frazee's final junior campaign was his most productive.  He scored 31 goals and notched 72 points in 70 games while splitting the 2010-11 season between Regina and Kamloops.  In all, Frazee recorded 72 goals and 188 points in 313 career WHL games.

Rioux, 27, has scored five goals and totaled 25 points while posting a plus/minus rating of +7 in 48 games with the Mallards this season.  The 6' 1", 205 pound native of Riviere-du-Loup, Quebec, also played six games over two January stints with the AHL's Iowa Wild. 

Last year, Rioux scored seven goals and registered 27 points with a plus/minus of +3 for the CHL's Bloomington Blaze.  The durable blue liner played in each of the Blaze's 66 regular season games last season and missed just a single game over his first two professional campaigns.

Rioux first played under Mallards coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski as a rookie with the CHL's Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees in 2011-12.  Rioux scored five times, produced 21 points and turned in a plus/minus of +5 in 65 games with the Killer Bees.

Rioux turned pro after a three-year college career at St. Cloud State during which he totaled three goals and four assists in 26 games. Rioux played two seasons of junior hockey in the British Columbia League- with the Quesnel Millionaires and Prince George Spruce Kings- before heading to St. Cloud.

This is the second season in a row a trio of Mallards have been nominated for year-end CHL honors.  Last spring Mickey Lang (Most Valuable Player), Mike Hellyer (Rookie of the Year) and Matt Duffy (Most Outstanding Defenseman) were all award finalists, with Hellyer taking home the hardware.