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LOBBYING REPORT |
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page
2. Address
| Address1 | 4121 WILSON BOULEVARD |
Address2 | TENTH FLOOR |
| City | ARLINGTON |
State | VA |
Zip Code | 22203 |
Country | USA |
3. Principal place of business (if different than line 2)
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5. Senate ID# 28674-12
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6. House ID# 310600000
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| TYPE OF REPORT | 8. Year | 2026 |
Q1 (1/1 - 3/31) | Q2 (4/1 - 6/30) | Q3 (7/1 - 9/30) | Q4 (10/1 - 12/31) |
9. Check if this filing amends a previously filed version of this report
| 10. Check if this is a Termination Report | Termination Date |
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11. No Lobbying Issue Activity |
| INCOME OR EXPENSES - YOU MUST complete either Line 12 or Line 13 | |||||||||
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| 12. Lobbying | 13. Organizations | ||||||||
| INCOME relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period was: | EXPENSE relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period were: | ||||||||
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| Provide a good faith estimate, rounded to the nearest $10,000, of all lobbying related income for the client (including all payments to the registrant by any other entity for lobbying activities on behalf of the client). | 14. REPORTING Check box to indicate expense accounting method. See instructions for description of options. | ||||||||
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Method A.
Reporting amounts using LDA definitions only
Method B. Reporting amounts under section 6033(b)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code Method C. Reporting amounts under section 162(e) of the Internal Revenue Code |
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| Signature | Digitally Signed By: Michael R. Romano, Chief Executive Officer |
Date | 4/15/2026 3:00:45 PM |
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code BUD
16. Specific lobbying issues
The association follows the federal budget and appropriations process as it relates to agencies, and their respective policies, that have jurisdiction over rural telecommunications matters. Primarily the association monitors the Federal Communications Commission(FCC), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration(NTIA), and the Rural Utilities Service(RUS), and the budget, programs, and policies of each. During the reporting period, the association focused on FY2027 appropriations discussions regarding the perspective of rural broadband providers as they relate to the following:
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service telecommunications and broadband loan and grant programs funding and funding for administrative expenses.
USDA ReConnect program, including coordination with other rural broadband program rules, priority for providers based on form of organization or commercial status, and deployment of symmetrical service.
Federal Communications Commission oversight of Universal Service Fund and related policies such as broadband availability mapping, eligible telecommunications carrier designation, as well as policies tied to supply chain issues. Compliance costs of certain rulemakings, and other aspects of rural communications operations.
Department of Interior related to coordination with other agencies and staffing for improving securing rights-of-way, permitting and other communications deployment issues.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Leif |
Oveson |
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Makenzie |
Shellnutt |
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Brendan |
Dailey |
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Virdina |
Gibbs |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code TEC
16. Specific lobbying issues
The association bases its approaches on whether or not policies are flexible in their application to rural carriers that have different needs and capabilities and that have far different economies of scale and competitive opportunities than larger carriers. During the reporting period, the association focused on the following:
S. 674 - Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act - all sections.
S. 1651 - Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025 - all sections.
S. 2855 - CLOSE THE GAP Act - all sections.
S. 3084 - ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2025 - all sections.
S. 3268 - Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act - all sections.
S. 3858 - SIREN Act of 2026 - all sections.
H.R. 1873 - Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act - all sections
H.R. 3119 - ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2025 - all sections.
H.R. 4032 - Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025 - all sections.
H.R. 5419 - Enhancing Administrative Reviews for Broadband Deployment Act - all sections.
H.R. 6046 - Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act - all sections.
H.R. 8144 - The Quality Broadband for Connected Communities Act - all sections.
H.R. 8145 - The Expanding Access to Distance Learning and Telemedicine Act - all sections.
H.R. 8146 - The Rural Utilities Service Modernization Act - all sections.
H.R. 8147 - The Prioritizing Rural Broadband Affordability Act - all sections.
Legislation to reform the Universal Service Fund contribution and distribution systems.
Legislative and regulatory issues related to USDA/RUS telecom/broadband loan and grant programs, including the ReConnect Program and reauthorization of the Farm Bill.
Legislative and regulatory issues related to IP Interconnection.
Legislative and regulatory issues related to broadband mapping.
Legislative and regulatory issues related to broadband permitting applications.
Legislative and regulatory issues related to the Broadband, Equity, Access & Deployment Program.
Legislation to streamline the deployment of telecommunications or broadband service facilities in public rights- of-way and the rights-of-way of railroad carriers.
Legislation on the minimum speeds for the Community Connect program.
Legislation on reforms to the distance learning grant program.
Regulatory issues related to interagency communication between the FCC, USDA, NTIA, and Treasury.
Legislation related to refunds for customers during utility outages.
Legislation related to the Consumer Data Privacy and Security Act.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Leif |
Oveson |
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Makenzie |
Shellnutt |
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Brendan |
Dailey |
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Virdina |
Gibbs |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code INS
16. Specific lobbying issues
The association monitors and reacts to policy concepts that may impact its ability to continue providing its high quality Group Health Plan to members, their employees, and the association staff at affordable rates and on reasonable terms and conditions. During the reporting period, no issues or introduced measures in this category were focused upon.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Leif |
Oveson |
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Makenzie |
Shellnutt |
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Brendan |
Dailey |
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Virdina |
Gibbs |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code RET
16. Specific lobbying issues
The association monitors and reacts to policy concepts that may impact its ability to continue providing its high quality Retirement Security Plans to members, their employees, and the association staff at affordable rates and on reasonable terms and conditions. During the reporting period, no issues or introduced measures in this category were focused upon.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Leif |
Oveson |
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Makenzie |
Shellnutt |
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Brendan |
Dailey |
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Virdina |
Gibbs |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code ECN
16. Specific lobbying issues
The association monitors initiatives tied to rural and community economic development which typically have a direct connection to the type and level of communications services that may be available in a rural community or market area, and that are often important to the survival of such communities and market areas. During the reporting period, the association focused on the following:
Legislative and regulatory issues related to federal permitting.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Leif |
Oveson |
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Makenzie |
Shellnutt |
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Brendan |
Dailey |
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Virdina |
Gibbs |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code TAX
16. Specific lobbying issues
The association monitors and reacts to policy concepts that may impact the ability of its members to function in an operationally sound manner as well as measures that may affect the ultimate transfer of such businesses. During the reporting period, no issues or introduced measures in this category were focused upon.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Leif |
Oveson |
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Makenzie |
Shellnutt |
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Brendan |
Dailey |
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Virdina |
Gibbs |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code SMB
16. Specific lobbying issues
The association monitors and reacts to policy concepts that may impact the ability of its members to function in an operationally sound and successful manner as well as measures that may affect the ultimate transfer of such businesses. During the reporting period, the association focused on the following:
Legislation related to an exemption of certain Securities Exchange Act shareholder registration thresholds for certain Universal Service Fund recipients.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Leif |
Oveson |
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Makenzie |
Shellnutt |
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Brendan |
Dailey |
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Virdina |
Gibbs |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code AGR
16. Specific lobbying issues
The association monitors agriculture policy as it relates to agencies that have jurisdiction over programs and funding for rural telecommunications, primarily the Rural Utilities Service (RUS). During the reporting period, the association focused on the following:
Legislative and regulatory issues related to USDA/RUS telecom/broadband loan and grant programs, including the ReConnect Program; Community Connect Program; Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program; and reauthorization of the Farm Bill.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Agriculture - Dept of (USDA)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
| First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
Leif |
Oveson |
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Makenzie |
Shellnutt |
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Brendan |
Dailey |
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Virdina |
Gibbs |
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19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
Information Update Page - Complete ONLY where registration information has changed.
20. Client new address
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21. Client new principal place of business (if different than line 20)
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22. New General description of client’s business or activities
LOBBYIST UPDATE
23. Name of each previously reported individual who is no longer expected to act as a lobbyist for the client
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ISSUE UPDATE
24. General lobbying issue that no longer pertains
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AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS
25. Add the following affiliated organization(s)
Internet Address:
| Name | Address |
Principal Place of Business (city and state or country) |
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26. Name of each previously reported organization that is no longer affiliated with the registrant or client
| 1 | 2 | 3 |
FOREIGN ENTITIES
27. Add the following foreign entities:
| Name | Address |
Principal place of business (city and state or country) |
Amount of contribution for lobbying activities | Ownership percentage in client | ||||||||||
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28. Name of each previously reported foreign entity that no longer owns, or controls, or is affiliated with the registrant, client or affiliated organization
| 1 | 3 | 5 |
| 2 | 4 | 6 |
CONVICTIONS DISCLOSURE
29. Have any of the lobbyists listed on this report been convicted in a Federal or State Court of an offense involving bribery,
extortion, embezzlement, an illegal kickback, tax evasion, fraud, a conflict of interest, making a false statement, perjury, or money laundering?
| Lobbyist Name | Description of Offense(s) |