CHICAGO - July 20, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today took action on the following bills:

Bill No.: HB 3340

An Act Concerning: Transportation

The law requires the Secretary of State's office to regulate scrap processors and properly issue vehicle titles based certain requirements.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 4569

An Act Concerning: State Government

The law consolidates the responsibilities of the Secretary of State Merit Commission and gives the Secretary of State inspector general greater flexibility when hiring investigators and auditors.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 4602

An Act Concerning: Education

The law gives the Ridgeland School District 122 bonding authority of up to $50 million, in order to refund bonds originally issued in 2000 by voter approval.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 5073

An Act Concerning: Secretary of State

The law allows the Office of the Secretary of State to waive drivers' fees once the Governor declares a disaster.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan. 1

Bill No.: HB 5190

An Act Concerning: Business

The law prohibits any person from knowingly filing a false or fraudulent document with the Secretary of State in connection with a secured transaction.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 5362

An Act Concerning: Local Government

The law extends the deadline for non-home rule municipalities to use the tax proceeds for municipal operations from the following: the Non-Home Rule Municipal Retailers' Occupation Tax Act, the Non-Home Rule Municipal Service Occupation Tax Act, or the Non-Home Rule Municipal Use Tax Act.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: HB 5493

An Act Concerning: Transportation

The law allows expands the offenses for which the Secretary of State must revoke a driver's license or permit and permits the Secretary of State to issue an administrative citation in lieu of filing a criminal complaint in certain situations.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1691

An Act Concerning: Business

The law amends the Secretary of State's business entity laws to add provisions pertaining to the reinstatement of certain business entities, the resignation of registered agents and the electronic filing of required documents.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 2492

An Act Concerning: Local Government

The law enables individuals serving on a jury to waive any payments they receive.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Jan.1

Bill No.: SB 3453

An Act Concerning: Regulation

The law creates the Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standards Fund and gives control of the fund to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 3718

An Act Concerning: Public Health

Requires the development and implementation of rules regarding the denial of reimbursement for non-emergency ambulance transport.

Action: Signed

Effective Date: Immediately

Comprehensive housing study includes public discussions

(DES MOINES) - The Branstad/Reynolds Administration today announced that a comprehensive statewide housing study is underway and encourage Iowans to participate in the process by sharing information about the housing needs in their areas at one of eight public meetings that are scheduled throughout the state in the coming weeks.  The study is commissioned by the Iowa Finance Authority in partnership with RDG Planning & Design.

"I encourage Iowans to participate in the public discussions on housing throughout the state, as the results will be incorporated into an analysis of current housing programs and opportunities for other initiatives to most effectively meet housing needs throughout the state," said Governor Branstad. "Affordable housing translates to safe and affordable homes for Iowa's workforce, strong neighborhoods, vibrant communities and ultimately a thriving economy - and there is no better way to learn about the unique affordable housing needs of communities throughout the state than from Iowans."

"The statewide housing study will not only include public forums and expert round tables throughout the state, but it will also include an in-depth analysis of the current housing stock," said Iowa Finance Authority Executive Director Dave Jamison. "The results of this study will provide the information needed to assist the Iowa Finance Authority and our housing partners throughout the state to most effectively advance affordable housing for Iowans for many generations to come."

More information about the housing study, details on the public meetings as well as a housing survey for the public is available at www.RDGUSA.com/IowaHousing.

Iowa Housing Study Public Meetings:

Carroll

July 23, 7:00 p.m.

Region XII Council of Governments Office

1009 East Anthony Street, Carroll

Perry

July 25, 7:00 p.m.

Center for Town/Craft

1122/1124 Willis Avenue, Perry

Mason City

August 7, 7:00 p.m.

Waterloo

August 8, 7:00 p.m.

Burlington

August 13, 7:00 p.m.

Ottumwa
August 20, 7:00 p.m.

Tama/Toledo

August 21, 7:00 p.m.

Atlantic

August 28, 7:00 p.m.

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Views impact of worsening drought on Iowa crops at farm near Palo, IA

Palo, IA - This afternoon, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) traveled to Gary and Vicki Owens' farm near Palo, Iowa, to see firsthand the impact of this summer's drought on Iowa corn and soybean crops.  Braley met with the family and toured the farm before calling on Congress to immediately consider and pass the 2012 Farm Bill.

"Iowa agriculture has been a bright spot in the economy," Braley said.  "The drought not only threatens the livelihood of countless Iowa farmers, it could have ripple effects for our economic recovery.

"If Congress allows the Farm Bill to expire on September 30th, it would only compound the problem.  Much of the disaster assistance funding in the 2008 Farm Bill has already expired, leaving many farmers without a safety net this year.  Farmers need certainty and confidence in the farm safety net they depend on, especially now.  We need to do everything we can to get Iowa agriculture producers the help they need to get through this, and that starts with passing the Farm Bill."

According to the US Drought Monitor, 59 percent of Iowa is currently considered to be experiencing "severe" drought conditions.

Braley held an emergency telephone town hall meeting last night on the worsening drought conditions, its impact on Iowa agriculture, and the Farm Bill.  This morning, Braley authored a bipartisan letter co-signed by all five members of Iowa's US House delegation asking House leaders to immediately bring the Farm Bill up for an immediate vote.

The House Agriculture Committee endorsed a version of the 2012 Farm Bill last week, but House leaders have not indicated when it will be considered for a vote.

This week, we continued to see historic levels of drought grip much of our nation, impacting thousands of farm families. Although the hard work and innovation of our producers has fueled a strong farm economy in recent years, President Obama and I understand the major challenges this drought poses for American agriculture.

As of July 20, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated 1,055 counties across the country as disaster areas due to drought. Significant portions of many crops are impacted - for example, according to the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor report, 88 percent of our nation's corn and 87 percent of our soybeans are in drought-stricken areas. Rising grain prices are threatening livestock and dairy operators with high input costs.

Our farmers and ranchers are no strangers to uncertainty - but it's even harder to plan for the future when we don't know how much more severe the drought will be.

Over the years, American producers have constantly innovated to meet new demands and adapt to new conditions, embracing new methods and utilizing new technology. The same innovative spirit that has positioned American agriculture as a global leader has helped to reduce the impact of the drought.

Nevertheless, the uncertainty of drought means this is a very difficult time for many. At President Obama's direction, USDA is doing all it can within the Department's existing authority to help.

Last week, I announced a final rule to simplify the process for Secretarial disaster designations - both to speed the process for producers and to reduce the burden on State government officials, who are also hard at work to help producers around the country cope with this disaster.

I reduced the interest rate for Farm Service Agency Emergency Loans, effectively lowering the current rate from 3.75 percent to 2.25 percent to help ensure that credit is available for farm families who are hit by drought.

And finally, I announced that USDA has lowered payment reductions for Conservation Reserve Program lands that qualify for emergency haying and grazing in 2012, from 25 to 10 percent.

USDA officials are traveling to states around the country to see firsthand the impact of the drought, and we will continue to look for ways to help. But the fact is USDA's legal authority to provide assistance remains limited right now. That's because the 2008 Farm Bill disaster programs, which were implemented under President Obama, expired last year. Prior to the expiration, these programs helped hundreds of thousands of U.S. producers during disasters.

If Congress doesn't act, USDA will remain limited in our means to help drought-stricken producers. That's why President Obama and I continue to call on Congress to take steps to ensure that USDA has the tools it needs to help farm families during the drought. Disaster assistance for producers is also one of many reasons why we need swift action by Congress to pass a Food, Farm and Jobs Bill this year.

I know that many producers are struggling today with the impact of this historic drought. The President and I are committed to doing all we can to help farmers and ranchers in this difficult time.

As all of us across America hope for rainfall, and while USDA does all it can to assist America's farmers, ranchers and rural communities, I hope that Congress will do all it can to help us get the job done.