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LOBBYING REPORT |
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page
2. Address
Address1 | P.O. Box 658 |
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City | Jefferson City |
State | MO |
Zip Code | 65102 |
Country | USA |
3. Principal place of business (if different than line 2)
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5. Senate ID# 400275270-12
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6. House ID# 400270000
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TYPE OF REPORT | 8. Year | 2015 |
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. | ||||||||
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 |
Signature | Digitally Signed By: JAMES GARRETT HAWKINS |
Date | 1/19/2016 5:35:18 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
FY 2016 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill: Legislation that provides funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration. Of interest to the organization are funding for USDA's Agriculture in the Classroom program and provisions affecting the administration of farm and conservation programs as well as animal health and meat inspection programs.
FY 2016 Energy and Water and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill: Legislation that provides funding for the Department of Energy, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Civil Works), Department of Interior, etc. The organization is concerned about the allocation of federal funds within the Corps' Missouri River budget between the Missouri River Recovery Program and the Bank Stabilization and Navigation Project. Other key policy provisions of interest to our organization include those pertaining to "Waters of the U.S." and the Endangered Species Act.
FY 2016 Interior and Environment Bill: Legislation that provides funding for the Department of Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, Forest Service and related agencies. Of interest to the organization are provisions concerning the Waters of the U.S. final rule/Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act.
Bipartisan Budget Act: Legislation that set forth a two-year budget agreement, suspended the limit on public debt temporarily, and made structural changes in select entitlement programs, among other purposes. The organization opposed changes in the federal crop insurance program, which were included in the legislation.
Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 2029): Legislation containing both the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill and the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act. The PATH Act made numerous expiring tax provisions permanent, including Section 179 small business expensing, and extended others temporarily. The organization supported passage of the omnibus spending bill and the PATH 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 |
James |
Hawkins |
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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 organization supports replacing the current federal income tax with a system that is simple, transparent, revenue-neutral and equitable. As such, we are closely monitoring discussions in the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee. We are also supportive of extending certain tax provisions that expired at the end of 2014.
Jobs and Premium Protection Act (S.183/H.R. 928): Legislation that would repeal the tax levied on a health insurance company's net premium. The tax was included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which Farm Bureau opposed. The organization supports S. 183/H.R. 928.
Death Tax Repeal Act (S.860/H.R. 1155): Legislation that would amend the Internal Revenue Code to repeal estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes. The organization opposes the estate tax and therefore supports S.860/H.R. 1155.
America's Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2015 (H.R. 636): Legislation to reinstate and make permanent Section 179 small business expensing. The tax provision expired on January 1, 2015. The organization supports Section 179 expensing for farmers, ranchers and small business owners and therefore supports H.R. 636.
America Gives More Act of 2015 (H.R. 644): Legislation to make permanent the tax deduction for charitable contributions of food by any trade or business and other purposes. The tax provision expired on January 1, 2015. The organization supports H.R. 644.
Marketplace Fairness Act of 2015 (S.698): Legislation that would allow each member state under the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement to require all sellers not qualifying for a small-seller exception to collect and remit sales and use taxes with respect to internet sales. Remote sellers with less than $1 million annual sales are excluded; those who are above the threshold would be provided software for collecting the tax. The organization supports fair competition between local and main street retailers and internet-only sellers. The House companion bill is H.R. 2775, the Remote Transactions Parity Act.
Farm Equipment Depreciation: Legislation to permanently reinstate five-year depreciation for farm equipment. The organization supports this change since agriculture is an equipment-heavy industry.
Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act: Legislation that made numerous expiring tax provisions permanent for families and small businesses, including Section 179 small business expensing. The bill also extended other tax provisions on a temporary basis. Our organization supported passage of the PATH 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 |
James |
Hawkins |
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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 CHM
16. Specific lobbying issues
Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2015 (H.R. 897): Legislation that would amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (CWA) to clarify that CWA permits are not needed when a pesticide is applied in accordance with a FIFRA-approved label. The organization is concerned about the potential for duplicative permitting requirements, thus approves of the proposed clarification. A similar bill, the Sensible Environmental Protection Act of 2015 (S. 1500), is pending in the Senate.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE
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 |
James |
Hawkins |
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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 CAW
16. Specific lobbying issues
"Waters of the U.S." Final Rule: The organization has serious concerns about the final rule issued by the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to define the scope of waters protected under the Clean Water Act. Our concerns were detailed in comments submitted to the docket. The organization supports The Regulatory Integrity Protection Act of 2015 (H.R. 1732) and The Federal Water Quality Protection Act (S. 1140) to prohibit the agencies from moving forward with the rule and directing them to consult with state and local officials before writing a new rule. The organization supported action through the Congressional Review Act to disapprove the WOTUS rule (S.J.Res.22).
Clean Power Plan: The organization remains concerned about the potential cost of EPA's Clean Power Plan (greenhouse gas regulations) in terms of higher utility bills for farm families and other consumers. The organization supported action through the Congressional Review Act to disapprove the Clean Power Plan (S.J.Res.23 and S.J.Res.24).
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Army - Dept of (Corps of Engineers)
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 |
James |
Hawkins |
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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 GOV
16. Specific lobbying issues
Regulatory Accountability Act (H.R. 185): The bill would amend the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) to require agencies to be more open and transparent on data used to justify a rule. The organization supports H.R. 185.
Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act (S. 226): Legislation would require Congress to vote on every new major rulemaking proposed by the Executive Branch, which has an annual economic impact of $100 million or more. The organization supports S. 226.
The Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act (H.R. 690): Legislation would require each agency, in providing notice of a rulemaking, to include a link to 100 word plain language summary of the proposed in regulations.gov. The organization supports H.R. 690.
The Searching For and Cutting Regulations That Are Unnecessarialy Burdensome Act of 2015 (SCRUB Act)(H.R. 1155): Legislation that would establish a bi-partisan commission to review the Code of Federal Regulations and specify rules that should be repealed based on certain criteria. The organization supports H.R. 1155.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE
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 |
James |
Hawkins |
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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 FOO
16. Specific lobbying issues
Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015 (H.R. 1599): Legislation that amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to create a uniform, national system governing the premarket review and labeling of foods containing genetically engineered ingredients. The organization supports the measure.
Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act (S. 511): Legislation which directs the Food and Drug Administration to require food manufacturers to label foods containing genetically modified ingredients. The organization opposes S. 511.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE
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 |
James |
Hawkins |
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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 TRD
16. Specific lobbying issues
Trade Negotiations: The organization is monitoring the Trans Pacific Partnership and Trans Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations. Improving market access for all U.S. agricultural commodities and products and resolving sanitary and phytosanitary trade barriers are our priorities. The organization has supported congressional efforts to urge the Obama administration to make market access and trade barrier resolution priorities as well, particularly with regard to Japan. The organization supported congressional action to renew Trade Promotion Authority (H.R. 1314/S. 995).
Cuba Trade: The administration is moving to remove trade restrictions on credit and banking with Cuba as well as exploring re-establishment of diplomatic relations. Legislation, such as S. 491, has been introduced in Congress. The organization supports normalization of trade with Cuba.
COOL: County of Origin Labeling Amendments Act of 2015 (H.R. 2393) repeals COOL requirements for beef, pork and chicken. Changes are needed in federal law and regulations as a result of a WTO ruling. The organization is concerned about trade retaliation from Canada and Mexico and is therefore supportive of this bill.
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 |
James |
Hawkins |
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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
Farm Bill Implementation: The President's budget proposal for FY 2016 calls for a reduction in subsidies for revenue insurance policies that insure crop price at the time of harvest. Also included is reform of prevented planting coverage, including adjustments to payment rates. The organization opposes these adjustments.
Horse Processing: Safeguard American Food Exports Act (SAFE Act; S. 1214/H.R. 1942): Legislation that would prohibit the sale or transport of horses for purposes of human consumption. The organization opposes S. 1214/H.R. 1942.
Crop Insurance: A bill to limit the level of premium subsidy provided by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to agricultural producers (S. 345): The organization opposes a $50,000 cap on crop insurance premium subsidies.
CFTC: The Commodity End-User Relief Act (H.R. 2289) reauthorizes the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) through 2019. Other provisions of the bill would allow for greater protection of customer funds held by financial entities, relax certain Dodd-Frank requirements, and limit CFTC regulation of cross-border derivatives trading. The organization supports reauthorization of the CFTC.
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 |
James |
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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 DIS
16. Specific lobbying issues
Executive Order (EO) 13690, issued by President Obama on January 30, creates a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) for all federally funded projects. The organization has concerns about potential implications for farmers, land owners and communities and submitted comments during the formal comment period.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 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 |
James |
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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 NAT
16. Specific lobbying issues
Common Sense in Species Protection Act (S. 112): Legislation that would require the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to publish and make available for public comment an economic analysis outlining costs to the public from the listing of a species under the Endangered Species Act as well as designating critical habitat. The organization supports S. 112.
The State, Tribal, and Local Species Transparency and Recovery Act (H.R. 2352): Legislation to require the federal government to supply all data used in determining a species' status to affected states before a listing decision is made. The organization supports this bill to provide transparency within the Endangered Species 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 |
James |
Hawkins |
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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 HCR
16. Specific lobbying issues
Health Care Reform (H.R. 596): Legislation that would repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and the health care provisions contained in the Health Care and Education and Reconciliation Act of 2010. The bill then would require specified committees to develop legislation addressing various issues pertaining to health care. The organization supported passage of the bill.
Simplifying Technical Aspects Regarding Seasonality Act of 2015 (STARS Act; H.R. 863/S.1809): Legislation to amend the Internal Revenue Code to align the definitions of seasonal worker and seasonal employee as a worker who is employed on a seasonal basis for six months or less during the calendar year for the purposes of Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliance. The organization supports the clarification to the ACA.
Dietary Guidelines: Several provisions contained in the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee report as well as the Dietary Guidelines of Americans are of concern to farmers and ranchers. The organization submitted comments during the formal comment period detailing concerns about the inclusion of agricultural sustainability.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, 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 |
James |
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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 FUE
16. Specific lobbying issues
Corn Ethanol Mandate Elimination Act of 2015 (S.577): Legislation that would amend the Clean Air Act to revise the renewable fuel program by eliminating the annual renewable fuel standard that requires 36 billion gallons of renewable fuel to be blended into transportation fuel by 2022. The bill would not affect separate requirements for advanced biofuel, cellulosic biofuel, or biomass-based diesel. The organization opposes the bill because our member-adopted policies favor the development and use of renewable energy from feedstock produced on farm and ranch lands as part of a comprehensive national energy policy that includes traditional, renewable and alternative sources.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE
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 |
James |
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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 TRA
16. Specific lobbying issues
The Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act (H.R. 22): Legislation that authorizes funding for surface transportation infrastructure, including roads, bridges, transit systems, and the rail transportation network and promotes roadway and motor vehicle safety, among other purposes. The organization supported passage of the FAST Act.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE
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 |
James |
Hawkins |
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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.
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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)
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26. Name of each previously reported organization that is no longer affiliated with the registrant or client
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FOREIGN ENTITIES
27. Add the following foreign entities:
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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
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