(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad today took action on all remaining legislation following the conclusion of the 2014 legislative session.

Branstad signed the following bills into law:

House Files

House File 2444: an Act relating to the administration of the tax and related laws of the Department of Revenue, including powers and duties of the director of administration of the inheritance tax, motor fuel and special fuel taxes, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

House File 2448: an Act relating to the administration of programs by the Economic Development Authority by modifying the high quality jobs program, creating a workforce housing tax incentives program and making penalties applicable, and repealing the enterprise zone program, and including effective date and retroactive and other applicability provisions.

House File 2446: an Act exempting from the sales tax the sales price of diesel fuel trailer or seed tender used primarily in agricultural production.

House File 2466: an Act relating to the assessment of certain housing rented or leased to low-income individuals and families and including applicability provisions.

House File 2449: an Act relating to appropriations to the Judicial Branch.

Senate Files:

Senate File 2355: an Act relating to matters under the purview of the Department of Transportation, establishing a fee, and including effective date provisions.

Senate File 2359: an Act relating to the administration of certain economic development programs by the Economic Development Authority and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

Senate File 2360: an Act creating the Medical Cannabidiol Act and providing penalties.

Senate File 2362: an Act relating to pari-mutuel racetracks, including by providing for live dog racing at pari-mutuel dog racetracks, providing for alternative licensure for dog racetracks, and establishing fees, and including effective date provisions.

Senate File 2364: an Act relating to state regulatory matters by exempting from sales tax the furnishing of certain environmental testing services, modifying the registration and regulation of motorsports recreational vehicles, recreational vehicle operators, and recreational vehicle cargo, and including fees, penalties, and effective date provisions.

Senate File 2347: an Act relating to the funding of, the operation of, and appropriation of moneys to the College Student Aid Commission, the Department for the Blind, the Department of Education, and the State Board of Regents, and providing for related matters.

Senate File 2130: an Act relating to and making transportation and other infrastructure-related appropriations to the Department of Transportation, including allocation and use of moneys from the road use tax fund and the primary road fund, and including effective date provisions.

Senate File 2297: an Act relating to the criminal transmission of a contagious or infectious disease, providing penalties, and including effective date provision.

Senate File 2337: an Act relating to the child and dependent care credit available against the individual income tax, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

Senate File 2340: an Act modifying provisions applicable to the solar energy system tax credit, and including date and retroactive applicability provisions.

Senate File 2343: an Act relating to qualification requirements for the renewable energy tax credit.

Senate File 2342: an Act relating to and making appropriations to certain state departments, agencies, funds, and certain other entities providing for regulatory authority, and other properly related matters, including penalties, and including effective date provisions.

The governor exercised his item-veto authority on the following bills:

House File 2463: an Act relating to appropriations for health and human services and veterans and including other related provisions and appropriations, extending the duration of county mental health and disabilities services fund per capita levy provisions, and including effective date and retroactive and other applicability date provisions.  Read item-veto message.

House File 2473: an Act relating to state and local finances by making appropriations, providing for fees, providing for legal responsibilities, and providing for regulatory requirements, taxation, and other properly related matters, and including penalties and effective date and retroactive applicability provisions. Read item-veto message.

House File 2450: an Act relating to appropriations to the justice system and including effective date provisions. Read item-veto message.

House File 2458: an Act relating to and making appropriations involving state government entities involved with agriculture, natural resources, and environmental protection, providing for taxable property, making related statutory changes, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions. Read item-veto message.

Senate File 2349: an Act relating to and making appropriations to state departments and agencies from the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund, the Technology Reinvestment Fund, and the Revenue Bonds Capitals II Fund, and providing for relating matters, and including effective date provisions. Read item-veto message.

The governor exercised his veto authority on the following two bills:

House File 2456: an Act relating to the approval and imposition of the facilities property tax levy and the equipment and program sharing property tax levy for a merged area and including effective date and applicability provisions. Read the veto message here or below:

May 30, 2014

The Honorable Matt Schultz

Secretary of State of Iowa

State Capitol

Des Moines, Iowa 50319

Dear Mr. Secretary:

House File 2456, an Act relating to the approval and imposition of the facilities property tax levy and the equipment replacement and program sharing property tax levy for a merged area and including effective date and applicability provisions is hereby disapproved and transmitted to you in accordance with Amendment IV of the Amendments of 1968 to the Constitution of the State of Iowa.

House File 2456 is hereby disapproved on this date.

HF 2456 gives community college boards authority to continue the Property Tax Facility Levy and the Property Tax Equipment Sharing Levy for up to ten years without voter approval, provided voters have passed the levies in the two previous 10-year cycles. The two levies combined cost a maximum of approximately 27 cents per $1,000 of valuation.

I am unable to approve House File 2456 for the following reasons:

House File 2456 takes away decision-making power from the voters for property tax increases.  Estimates reveal that the amount of property tax dollars at issue are $9,200,000 in FY 2015, $11,600,000 in FY 2016, $12,900,000 in FY 2017, $15,100,000 in FY 2018 and $17,800,000 in FY 2019.  If this bill was allowed to become law, the voters would not be allowed to vote on these property taxes; instead they would be taxed by resolution of a community college board.

Voters should have the power to approve or disapprove property tax increases or continuing additional levies.  When voters get to decide, it helps to hold everyone accountable.  Typically, when these measures are on the ballot, they receive voter approval.  Voters should have the opportunity to decide this important property tax issue.  Decision-making power in the hands of the taxpayers helps voters, communities and community colleges to work together to best serve the needs of the community.

For the above reasons, I respectfully disapprove of House File 2456, in its entirety, in accordance with Amendment IV of the Amendments of 1968 to the Constitution of the State of Iowa.

Sincerely,

TERRY E. BRANSTAD, Governor

Senate File 2363: an Act relating to state and local finances by making transfers and appropriations, providing for properly related matters, and including effective date and applicability provisions. Read the veto message here or below:

May 30, 2014

The Honorable Matt Schultz

Secretary of State of Iowa

State Capitol

Des Moines, Iowa 50319

Dear Mr. Secretary:

Senate File 2363, relating to state and local finances by making transfers and appropriations, providing  for properly related matters, and including effective date and applicability provisions, is hereby disapproved and transmitted to you in accordance with Amendment IV of the Amendments of 1968 to the Constitution of the State of Iowa.

Senate File 2363 is hereby disapproved on this date.

I am unable to approve Senate File 2363 for the following reasons:

Senate File 2363 attempts to use one-time dollars to pay for special projects and pay down bonds.  In total, it contains nearly $140 million dollars in one-time spending.

Currently, the State of Iowa has a healthy ending balance.  However, the most recent state revenue projection, which occurred since the legislature adjourned, shows significant decline in projected revenues.  This information was not available to the legislature during the time this legislation was approved.  With this new information, it is very important we continue to be prudent with taxpayer dollars.

When I took office in 2011, I proposed a two year budget with a five year projection. My budget is fiscally sound, predictable and sustainable for the long term.  Long term budgeting isn't easy and requires very difficult decisions to align projected spending with revenue.

In 2013, the legislature and I made multi-year commitments with the $4.4 billion property tax cut and education reform that included investing in our teachers and students. These were historic commitments to the people of Iowa and commitments we must keep to Iowa taxpayers, schools and local governments. Signing this spending bill could jeopardize our ability to fund those commitments in the future.

While there are items in this bill that I support, and in some instances recommended, I cannot sign them into law at this time.  As the Chief Executive of this state, it is my responsibility to have a long term vision that maintains stability and predictability in our state's budget.  Maintaining the fiscal health of Iowa over the long term is my top budgeting priority.

Iowa is working - we are growing.  The growth of jobs and opportunities in our state is due, in part, to a government Iowans can rely on. Our commitments to teachers, students and local communities must be honored and our focus must be on the long term stability so Iowa can continue to flourish. In order to continue growing good paying jobs, we need to make tough choices that ensure a balanced budget to0day and for the long term.

For the above reasons, I respectfully disapprove of Senate File 2363, in its entirety, in accordance with Amendment IV of the Amendments of 1968 to the Constitution of the State of Iowa.

Sincerely,

TERRY E. BRANSTAD, Governor

SEWARD, NE (05/30/2014)(readMedia)-- Eight students in a global health class at Concordia University, Nebraska, including Naomi Iltis of LeClaire, are visiting Belize on a nine-day medical mission trip May 26-June 3. The group is led by Dr. Joseph Gubanyi, professor of biology and chair of the natural sciences department at Concordia Nebraska as well as his wife Heidi, director of the RN to BSN program at Concordia Nebraska, and alumna Julie Banning, a physical therapist in Lincoln.

"This is a great opportunity for our students because it will open their eyes to opportunities to serve our Lord not just in this country but throughout the world," Joseph Gubanyi said. "The reality is that the impact we will have on Belize will be minuscule compared to the impact the experience will have on us. Everyone who is going is excited at the opportunity to serve. It is our hope and prayer that people we encounter see Jesus, not us, through our words and actions."

Besides medical work, the group also wants to interact with Belizean children and teach them games, songs and Bible verses.

The trip also includes a day to explore sights around Belize including the waterfalls of Big Rock Falls and Xunantunich, an ancient Mayan ruin.

Governor Quinn Statement on Passage of Grant Accountability Legislation 

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn today released the following statement regarding Illinois House passage of House Bill 2747. The bill, which the Governor has been working since February to enact, creates the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act to strengthen and streamline requirements for all state grants across all state agencies:

"This important legislation will reform grant procedures and strengthen oversight to make state grantees more accountable than ever before. The bill will make Illinois the first state in the nation to adopt a comprehensive and consistent set of rules covering the entire life cycle of a grant.

"Organizations receiving state funds must be held accountable for their work. This reform bill will ensure they are held to some of the nation's highest standards.

"I commend State Representatives Fred Crespo and Patti Bellock and Senators Pam Althoff and Dan Kotowski for their hard work to pass this reform legislation out of the General Assembly. I look forward to signing it."

The legislation was recommended by the Illinois Single Audit Commission, which Governor Quinn worked with legislators to create. The legislation also builds on a law the Governor signed in 2012 that strengthened grant procedures for human service agencies.

The bill's reforms include stronger state grant procedures to bring them all up to federal standards; improved conflict of interest disclosure requirements; and strict, real-time auditing of all state grants. The legislation, which will protect against grant mismanagement, has passed the Illinois Senate and now goes to the Governor's desk.

Governor Quinn Statement on Fiscal Year 2015 Budget 

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn today released the following statement regarding the fiscal year 2015 budget:

"The General Assembly didn't get the job done on the budget.

"Over the past several years we have made so much progress to resolve our fiscal challenges, from cutting spending and overhauling our Medicaid program to enacting comprehensive pension reform.

"In March, I submitted a balanced budget plan that continued paying down the state's bills, protected education and public safety and secured Illinois' long-term financial future.

"Instead, the General Assembly sent me an incomplete budget that does not pay down the bills but instead postpones the tough decisions.

"I will do my job. I will work to minimize the impact of cuts in vital services while continuing to cut waste and maintain our hard-won fiscal gains.

"There's more work to do to continue moving Illinois forward."

Governor Quinn Statement on Passage of House Bill 105

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn today released the following statement regarding the Illinois General Assembly's passage of House Bill 105, legislation that will increase access to voting in Illinois. The bill now goes to the Governor's desk for his signature:

"Democracy works best when everyone has the opportunity to participate.

"Instead of turning away eager voters at the ballot box, House Bill 105 will make sure more Illinois residents have a chance to have their voices heard.

"By removing barriers to vote, we can ensure a government of the people and for the people.

"I commend Representative Barbara Flynn Currie and Senator Don Harmon for working to pass this legislation and I look forward to signing it into law."

House Bill 105 allows voters to register on election day and extends in-person early voting hours. It also removes photo identification requirements for in-person early voting and allows public universities to make a campus location available for election day in-person absentee voting.

Governor Quinn Statement on Senate Passage of $1.1 Billion Road and Bridge Construction Bill

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn today released the following statement regarding Illinois Senate passage of House Bill 3794, legislation that will authorize an additional $1.1 billion in road and bridge improvement projects throughout the state. The bill previously passed the Illinois House, and now heads to the Governor's desk:

"Investing in a 21st century transportation system is one of the best ways we can create jobs today and drive our economy forward for generations to come.

"These additional funds, combined with the existing Illinois Jobs Now! and Move Illinois capital programs, will put thousands of people to work and make this year's transportation construction season the largest in state history.

"All of this has been made possible by the bipartisan support this bill received in the Illinois General Assembly. Members from both chambers on both sides of the aisle came together to pass a bill that benefits all areas of the state.

Statement from Governor Quinn on End of 2014 Legislative Session

Accomplishes Important Bills to Help Working Families; More Work to Do on Budget

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn today released the following statement regarding the end of the 2014 legislative session:

"With unemployment today at its lowest point since 2008, Illinois is making an economic comeback.

"This legislative session we accomplished several important bills that will strengthen that comeback by building and protecting the middle class, while benefitting working families.

"We're launching a new highway construction and road repair program that will put thousands of people back to work. We passed legislation to improve our Clean Water Initiative, which will put more people back to work with projects repairing and improving water infrastructure across the state.

"And we passed a bill that builds on our progress in building a greener economy by increasing the use of solar energy by consumers, driving down energy costs and creating hundreds of new jobs.

"Together we passed a landmark bill that will prevent discrimination in the workplace against women who are pregnant. And we continued the state's commitment to implementing the Affordable Care Act, which has resulted in 546,000 more people having health insurance in Illinois today who did not have it one year ago.

"We also passed legislation to reform grant procedures and strengthen oversight to make state grantees more accountable than ever and make Illinois a leader in grant accountability.

"Democracy is always strongest when people have the opportunity to make their voices heard. That's why it's good for voters to get a chance to speak on important topics like raising the minimum wage, tax fairness and ensuring women have access to birth control.

"While we have much more work to do on the budget, I thank members of General Assembly for their work on these many issues during the legislative session. Let's keep Illinois moving forward."

Governor Quinn Announces First Day of Marriage Equality

Law Takes Effect Today, Giving Everyone in Illinois Full Rights and Protections of Marriage

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced that all couples in Illinois are now able to receive the rights and protections of marriage. The Governor led the charge for historic legislation he signed in November to make Illinois the 16th state in the nation to embrace full marriage equality, and today that law takes effect. The new law is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to make Illinois the most welcoming state in the nation.

"Today is a special day and I thank everyone who worked so hard to pass marriage equality and put Illinois on right side of history," Governor Quinn said. "All couples across Illinois can now receive the rights and protections under the sacred vow of marriage. The Land of Lincoln has always been a place to embrace all people and today we stand as an example for the rest of the nation."

Starting June 1, 2014, the Illinois Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act goes into effect statewide, giving everyone in Illinois, regardless of gender, equal access to the status, benefits, protections, rights and responsibilities of marriage. Governor Quinn first called for marriage equality in May 2012 and made it a top legislative priority, featuring it in his 2013 State of the State address. In November, the Governor signed the historic bill in front of thousands at the University of Illinois at Chicago's UIC Forum.

In addition to equal access benefits and protections, current provisions in the Affordable Care Act require all insurance companies to offer the coverage to all couples, regardless of their gender. This means that all married couples and their children can now enroll in a plan together in Illinois and may qualify for financial help on the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Marriage and other qualifying life events may allow you to get coverage in the Health Insurance Marketplace through a Special Enrollment Period, but you must enroll in a plan within 60 days of your marriage or other life event. A Special Enrollment Period also allows you to make changes to your current plan, like adding your spouse and their children, changing carriers, and possibly getting financial help.  To learn more about your coverage options or to find free in-person help in your area visit GetCoveredIllinois.gov or call 866-311-1119 Monday - Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

In 2011, the Governor signed into law historic civil union legislation. For the more than 6,000 couples across Illinois who have joined in a civil union, the law also allows the ability to convert a civil union to marriage and make the marriage date retroactive to the date of the civil union. When applying for a Special Enrollment Period, be sure to use the date your civil union was converted to a marriage.

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