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

House File 112: an Act relating to the forfeiture of bail in a criminal case.

House File 197: an Act relating to certification of adult day services programs and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

House File 210: an Act relating to the practices and procedures of the State Public Defender.

House File 212: an Act relating to conducting condemnation proceedings.

House File 223: an Act concerning issuance of a license or users permit for specified activities regarding explosives.

House File 311: an Act relating to water quality.

House File 312: an Act providing for certification requirements by persons involved in the management of manure, and including provisions for contingent implementation.

House File 361: an Act providing for the issuance of special hunting licenses to certain nonresident disabled veterans and disabled members of the armed forces serving on active federal service.

House File 394: an Act establishing a lifetime fur harvester license for residents who are sixty-five years of age or older.

House File 395: an Act relating to the alteration of the community of a motor vehicle franchisee.

House File 457: an Act providing for the leasing of agricultural land by the Department of Natural Resources to beginning farmers.

House File 472: an Act relating to school district funding by establishing a supplementary weighting program for shared operational functions of school districts and area education agencies.

House File 484: an Act relating to boiler inspections and including effective date provisions.

House File 522: an Act relating to the prevention and control of aquatic invasive species in the state and providing penalties.

House File 530: an Act relating to the Governor's Office of Drug Control Policy and certain advisory councils.

House File 541: an Act relating to dam reconstruction standards.

NOTE: View the transmittal letter sent by Gov. Branstad regarding HF541, an acting allowing assistance with reconstruction of the dam at Lake Delhi.

House File 575: an Act relating to the technical administration of state financial and regulatory matters, including administration of income taxes, sales and use taxes, currency exchange licenses, and the wireless surcharge for enhanced 911 emergency telephone systems, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

Senate File 114: an Act relating to the filing of a certificate of deposit by the owner of a motor vehicle as proof of financial responsibility.

Senate File 142: an Act providing that certain activities relating to business opportunity promotions are unlawful practices punishable as consumer fraud and making a penalty applicable.

Senate File 182: an Act relating to credit for reinsurance, including transition, applicability, and effective date provisions.

Senate File 189: an Act relating to a risk management framework for insurers and insurance groups and including penalty and applicability provisions.

Senate File 282: an Act relating to procedural requirements in in rem forfeiture proceedings.

Senate File 288: an Act relating to the placement of a juvenile on youthful offender status and the prosecution of a juvenile in juvenile or district court, and access to child abuse records by a juvenile court intake officer.

Senate File 298: an Act relating to the definition of the term "sex act" in the criminal code, lascivious acts with a child, and providing penalties.

Senate File 316: an Act relating to farm tenancies of less than forty acres by providing procedures for termination.

Senate File 318: an Act relating to the administration of the judicial branch including provisions pertaining to shorthand reporters and the practice of law, and making appropriations.

Senate File 332: an Act related to the administration of the National Guard Educational Assistance Program.

Senate File 340: an Act relating to the length of on-duty periods and required rest periods for drivers of rail crew transport vehicles, and providing penalties.

Senate File 343: an Act authorizing tribal governments to establish a force of reserve peace officers.

Senate File 355: an Act relating to the regulation of vehicles of excessive size and weight, establishing fees, and providing penalties.

Senate File 362: an Act relating to the use of the term relative in child in need of assistance and termination of parental rights proceedings.

Senate File 380: an Act authorizing charitable auctions for alcoholic spirits.

Senate File 384: an Act relating to removing or attempting to remove a communication or control device from the possession of a peace officer or correctional officer, interference with official acts, and providing penalties.

Senate File 388: an Act relating to sponsor projects under the water resource restoration sponsor program.

Statewide partnerships address affordable housing challenges

Des Moines - Governor Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds today proclaimed April 21-27, 2013 as Affordable Housing Week in Iowa. Iowa joins organizations throughout the country in celebrating Affordable Housing Month, with this week declared specifically to bring awareness to the importance of affordable housing in Iowa.

"We've taken great strides to provide affordable housing opportunities for Iowans," said Governor Branstad. "We are committed to making even more progress to ensure an adequate supply of affordable housing is available to fit the needs of Iowa's diverse workforce, young professionals and seniors well into the future."

"The Iowa Finance Authority and the hundreds of local housing organizations, lenders, Realtors, service agencies and affordable housing advocates share the mission of advancing affordable housing opportunities for Iowans," said Lt. Governor Reynolds. "This shared dedication is impacting the lives of Iowans across the state every day, in turn making our neighborhoods, communities and state an even better place to call home."

The Iowa Finance Authority recently commissioned a statewide housing study that found many positive aspects of Iowa's housing market including a high homeownership rate, low rate of foreclosures and high affordability of housing. The study also detailed the most critical housing priorities over the next five years as workforce housing, affordable senior housing, accommodating preferences of elderly to age in place and the preservation of affordable multifamily units. The full study, including regional data is available at IowaFinanceAuthority.gov.

"The Iowa Finance Authority fulfills its mission through the partnership of thousands of local housing professionals," said Iowa Finance Authority Executive Director Dave Jamison. "Affordable Housing Week is an ideal time to say thank you for the tireless efforts of our partners and we look forward to working together to ensure Iowans have an affordable place to call home for generations to come."

The Iowa Legislature created The Iowa Finance Authority, the state's housing finance agency, in 1975 to undertake programs to assist in the attainment of affordable housing for Iowans. Since then, the Iowa Finance Authority's role has grown to include nearly 40 affordable housing, water quality and community development programs. The Iowa Finance Authority is a self-supporting public agency whose mission is to finance, administer, advance and preserve affordable housing and to promote community and economic development for Iowans.

The Tuck-In' introduces new bedtime traditions to help children go to bed peacefully

IVINS, Utah - Most parents are all-too-familiar with the temper tantrums and obstinate behavior that can accompany bedtime. Here with a resource to help parents get their children to bed peacefully comes "The Tuck-In: (A Child's Event)" (published by AuthorHouse), the reassuring new children's book by author Karen J. Cheever.

Based on Cheever's own experiences, "The Tuck-In" tells the story of Savannah, who like most kids, hates bedtime with a passion. When Savannah's mother tells her it's time for bed, Savannah complains, whines and asks to stay up late.

However, this night is going to be different. Savannah's mom introduces her to a very unique event called The Tuck-In. The Tuck-In becomes a special nightly ritual and Savannah learns to no longer dread bedtime. Cheever's book will foster a connection between parent and child while dispelling bedtime anxiety. It also creates an opportunity to create memories and traditions that can be carried on through generations and includes a helpful section for parents that lists the steps necessary to complete a successful tuck-in each and every night.

"The Tuck-In"

By Karen J. Cheever

Softcover | 8.5 x 8.5 in | 24 pages | ISBN 9781477275467

E-Book | 24 pages | ISBN 9781477275474

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Karen J. Cheever has a bachelor's degree in English education, a bachelor's degree in journalism with a minor in Spanish and a master's degree in instructional technology with an emphasis in adult education. She taught public school for two years in Utah and Idaho and spent eight years developing wellness programming for an award-winning, nationally recognized spa. She has worked in the public, private and government sectors and owns her own business Cheever resides in St. George, Utah, with her husband and two children, who no longer dread bedtime.