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LOBBYING REPORT |
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page
2. Address
Address1 | 7373 West Saginaw Highway |
Address2 | P.O. Box 30960 |
City | Lansing |
State | MI |
Zip Code | 48909 |
Country | USA |
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5. Senate ID# 40017133-48
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6. House ID# 398870000
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TYPE OF REPORT | 8. Year | 2022 |
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: John Kran |
Date | 10/20/2022 3:31:20 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 IMM
16. Specific lobbying issues
Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) advocated for legislation that addresses agriculture's long and short-term labor needs. Immigration reform would include an adjustment of status for those currently undocumented that are working in agriculture, allowing them to work in agriculture, and secondly creases a usable guest worker program run by the USDA that allows for at-will or contract workers for agriculture. MFB opposes E-Verify legislation unless it moves in tandem with legislation addressing agriculture's labor needs. MFB also advocated for changes in the H-2A guest worker visa program that would make the system more efficient and streamlined and guaranteed workers arrived on time to perform job duties like planting or harvesting crops. Farm Bureau also advocated for a freeze on the Adverse Effect Wage Rate for H-2A works to stay at the 2021 levels. The wage rate required for H-2A users has increased substantially over the past several years and Farm Bureau members do not believe it accurately reflects the job market. MFB advocated for the Senate to move on legislation since the House started the process and passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act in 2021.
Farm Bureau supported the Keep Food Local and Affordable Act of 2021, H.R. 5887 and S. 3134, a bill that would freeze the AEWR at 2021 levels for most states.
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 |
John |
Kran |
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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
Michigan Farm Bureau supports S.1251, the bipartisan Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2021, and advocated for passage in the Senate. MFB also supports the House companion, H.R. 2820.
The Growing Climate Solutions Act would create a certification program at USDA to help solve technical entry barriers for farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who wish to participate in voluntary carbon credit markets.
We are currently asking Congress to work together on a bipartisan Farm Bill thats completed on time, when the 2023 bill expires. We support protecting the farm safety net, including crop insurance. We also support maintaining much of the 2018 Farm Bill, including research, trade assistance, energy policy, conservation policy, rural development, keeping nutrition connected to the Farm Bill, and other components of the 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 |
John |
Kran |
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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
Farm Bureau remains concerned about challenges in the supply chain that are adding additional operating costs for farmers, including, but not limited to fertilizer, seed, crop protection tools, fuel, equipment, repair parts and labor.
Michigan Farm Bureau has been very supportive of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022, a bill that would:
Establish reciprocal trade to promote U.S. exports as part of the Federal Maritime Commissions (FMC) mission.
Require ocean carriers to adhere to minimum service standards that meet the public interest, reflecting best practices in the global shipping industry.
Require ocean carriers or marine terminal operators to certify that any late fees -known in maritime parlance as detention and demurrage charges-comply with federal regulations or face penalties.
Shift burden of proof regarding the reasonableness of detention or demurrage charges from the invoiced party to the ocean carrier or marine terminal operator.
Prohibit ocean carriers from declining opportunities for U.S. exports unreasonably, as determined by the FMC in new required rulemaking.
Require ocean common carriers to report to the FMC each calendar quarter on total import/export tonnage and twenty-foot equivalent units (loaded/empty) per vessel that makes port in the United States.
Authorizes the FMC to self-initiate investigations of ocean common carriers business practices and apply enforcement measures, as appropriate.
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 |
John |
Kran |
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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
MFB has been supportive of eliminating duties imposed on urea ammonium nitrate and phosphate fertilizers from Morocco, Trinidad and Tobago and other countries. Farmers have seen some of these products increase over 100% in price over the last year and are necessary inputs for crop production. Farm Bureau continues to advocate for the improvement of existing trade agreements and new opportunities for export. We also support working to make sure other countries are playing fairly and our import sensitive commodities can compete on a level playing field.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC)
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 |
John |
Kran |
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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 ANI
16. Specific lobbying issues
Michigan Farm Bureau has communicated with the House and Senate opposing House-added sections of the America COMPETES Act that ban the farming and trade of American mink and significantly amend the Lacey Act. This would be detrimental to farmers raising mink and all of animal agriculture.
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 |
John |
Kran |
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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
Farm Bureau remains concerned about the number of critical crop protection tools potentially being challenged or eliminated. In many cases there are not alternatives in the marketplace. Losing these tools could make it very difficult to grow some of these crops in Michigan. We continue to share this message with Congress.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
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 |
John |
Kran |
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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 ENG
16. Specific lobbying issues
Farm Bureau has been supportive of legislation and Congressional letters to the Biden Administration on the importance of biofuels. In particular, the year-round availability of E15. Reps. Angie Craig (D-MN) and Adrian Smith (R-NE) introduced the Year-Round Fuel Choice Act of 2021 and Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) led reintroduction of the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act. Both bills would ensure that EPA can grant Reid Vapor Pressure volatility waivers to allow E15 and higher blend fuels to be sold at fuel retailers all year-round. Farm Bureau is also supportive of H.R. 5089, the Next Generations Fuels Act, a bill that would transition gasoline and vehicles to low-carbon, higher-octane fuel to reduce greenhouse gas emission and meet future needs of more advanced vehicles by taking advantage of the benefits of higher ethanol blends.
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 |
John |
Kran |
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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 FIN
16. Specific lobbying issues
Michigan Farm Bureau is concerned about proposed rulemaking by the Securities and Exchange Commission and supported Congressional letters to the SEC on the issue and expressed our concerns with the proposal to Congress.
In a Federal Register notice published April 11, the SEC is proposing for public comment amendments to its rules under the Securities Act of 1933 (Securities Act) and Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act) that would require registrants to provide certain climate related information in their registration statements and annual reports, including potentially invasive and burdensome information about farms. The proposed rules would require information about a registrants climate related risks that are reasonably likely to have a material impact on its business, results of operations, or financial condition. The required information about climate-related risks would also include disclosure of a registrants greenhouse gas emissions, which have become a commonly used metric to assess a registrants exposure to such risks. In addition, under the proposed rules, certain climate-related financial metrics would be required in a registrants audited financial statements.
Farmers and ranchers are not registrants or otherwise subject in any way to the jurisdiction and oversight of the SEC. The proposed rule changes this. The proposed rules expansive treatment of the reporting of Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions not only directly effects our members operations, but in doing so may create multiple, new sources of substantial costs and liabilities. These include almost certain reporting obligations, technical challenges, significant financial and operational disruption and the risk of financially crippling legal liabilities. In doing so, the rule would have meaningful consequences for our members ability to produce this countrys food, fuel and fiber as well as for the security and stability of US agricultural supply chains.
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 |
John |
Kran |
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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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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:
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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:
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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) |