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LOBBYING REPORT |
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page
2. Address
| Address1 | 214 Senate Ave |
Address2 | PO BOX 8736 |
| City | CAMP HILL |
State | PA |
Zip Code | 17001 |
Country | USA |
3. Principal place of business (if different than line 2)
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5. Senate ID# 52071-12
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6. House ID# 348540000
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| TYPE OF REPORT | 8. Year | 2024 |
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: Bailey Fisher |
Date | 10/16/2024 5:38:37 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 AGR
16. Specific lobbying issues
FARM BILL:
- Asked House Members to support H.R.8467, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act otherwise known as farm bill.
- Encouraged Senate Members to ask Chairwoman Stabenow to release text.
- Listened to Chairwoman Stabenow and Ranking Member Boozman speak at an AFBF conference on the status of farm bill in the Senate and the strategy moving forward.
- Addressed concerns over Title IV - Nutrition - of H.R. 8467 otherwise known as farm bill.
- Asked PFB members to complete AFBF's advocacy email asking for their legislator to pass a farm bill ASAP and include a legislative fix to Prop 12.
- Worked with AFBF on securing votes for farm bill by communicating how conversations went during meetings with legislators and/or staff.
- Met with PA delegation's offices to discuss farm bill and a legislative fix to Prop 12. Discussed need to be passed on time and Farm Bureau priorities. Listened to legislators' concerns with farm bill as well as their individual priorities for the legislation. See Section 24 - Trade - of this report for information on lobbying efforts for Prop 12.
- Signed onto coalition letter supporting farm bill in August.
- Asked PA House Republican delegation to sign onto Dear Colleague letter to House Leadership asking them to bring farm bill to the floor.
ASKED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING:
- No bill # yet, the Farm Ownership Improvement Act, which would require USDA to implement a pre-qualification or pre-approval process for all farmers and ranchers seeking FSA Direct Farm Ownership loans.
- S.4168/H.R.4838, the Specialty Crop Security Act, which would increase USDA's Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) program authorization from $85 to $100 million per year and expand opportunities for specialty crop stakeholders to provide input into how program funding is used by state departments of agriculture.
- S.1014/H.R.1756, the Dairy Pricing Opportunity Act, which would mandate cost and yield surveying of processors to participate in the NDPSR survey every two years.
- S.980/H.R.3755, the Industrial Hemp Act, which would exempt farmers exclusively growing industrial hemp from the burdensome background checks and costly sampling and testing protocols required for farmers growing cannabinoid hemp like that used in the extraction of CBD.
- S.1867/H.R.3922, the Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act, which would direct USDA to authorize and prioritize projects that address the availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities.
- S.1837/H.R.3867, the Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act, which would designate spotted lanternflies as a high priority pest under the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to direct more federal research dollars to combat these devastating insects.
- S.1816/H.R.3815, the Protecting Mushroom Farmers Act, which would require a USDA study on providing crop insurance for mushroom farmers.
- S.2458/H.R.3904, the Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act, which would help our next generation of farmers by aligning the definition of Beginning Farmers to match that of other USDA programs - 10 crop years or less instead of the status quo of 5 crop years or less.
- S.1400/H.R.3036, the Increased TSP Access Act, which would help streamline the technical service provider (TSP) certification at NRCS and leverage the programs and technical expertise of NRCS to make conservation programs available to more farmers and on more land.
- S.2614/H.R.8488, the Farmer to Farmer Education Act, which would allow farmer-to-farmer groups to develop cooperative agreements with USDA to share conservation concepts and new practices.
- H.R.4856, the GusNIP Expansion Act, which would enhance and expand the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), which awards competitive grant funding to nonprofit organizations and government agencies for projects that provide incentives to income-eligible consumers to increase their purchase of fruits and vegetables.
ASKED TO OPPOSE THE FOLLOWING:
- S.658/H.R.5252, the EQIP Improvement Act, which would create severe consequences to the EQIP program for animal agriculture operations by targeting livestock operations conservation project funding.
NEUTRAL/MONITORED BUT NOT LOBBIED BILLS:
- S.2371/H.R.3139, the ACRE Act, which would exclude from the gross income of certain financial lending institutions, for income tax purposes, interest received on loans secured by rural or agricultural real estate.
- S.5101, the Farmer Driven Conservation Outcomes Act, which would authorize USDA to measure, assess, and report on the outcomes associated with its conservation programs.
- S.4219/H.R.8210, the Future Farmers and Ranchers of Tomorrow Act, which would revise USDAs qualified beginning farmer or rancher definition to allow non-related beginning farmers and ranchers in joint entities to be eligible for FSA loans.
- S.1842/H.R.6687, the Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development (FEED) Act, which would would amend the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to establish a new category of animal food additives.
- S.2631/H.R.3424, the Forest Conservation Easement Program (FCEP) Act, which would prevent the conversion of forests into non-forest areas by authorizing funding to purchase development rights from willing private landowners.
- H.R.1624, the Puppy Protection Act, which would require USDA to expand standards that govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals to include new requirements for commercial dog dealers.
OTHER:
- Reviewed the following rulemakings from USDA: Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets (Docket #: AMS-FTPP-21-0046); Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems (Docket #: AMS-FTPP-22-0046); Transparency in Poultry Grower Contracting and Tournaments (Docket #: AMS-FTPP-21-0044); and Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity under the Packers and Stockyards Act (Docket #: AMS-FTPP-21-0045).
- Advocacy work on the Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs). Reviewed USDA's Recommended Decision for the FMMOs (Docket #: AMS-DA-23-0031). Specifically, supported a switchback either by USDA or Congress for the higher of in Class I milk. Additionally, asked Congress Members to support requiring mandatory audited surveying for make allowance changes in the FMMOs.
- Reviewed Chevron Deference case to determine the impact it will have on ag. Supported SCOTUS' decision. Signed onto coalition letter to President Biden to urge suspension of regulatory activity until they review the Loper decision.
- Emailed Meuser's office that PFB supports Land O Lakes conservation project.
- Reviewed Secretary Vilsack's response letter to Rep. Deluzio's meat processing consolidation letter as a result of a roundtable with Beaver/Lawrence County FB.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, President of the U.S.
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 |
Bailey |
Fisher |
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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 ENV
16. Specific lobbying issues
ASKED TO OPPOSE THE FOLLOWING:
- - S.1016/H.R.1840, the Agriculture Resilience Act, which would aim to reduce agriculture emissions by 50% before 2030 and to achieve net zero emissions by 2040.
- EPA's rule (Docket #: EPA-HQ-OLEM-2019-0341) to designate PFOA and PFOS under the CERLA law or otherwise known as the Superfund law.
OTHER:
- General advocacy promoting farmers and ranchers' conservation efforts on ag operations as a way to express that more environmental regulations in production ag is not necessary.
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 |
Bailey |
Fisher |
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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
Asked Senator Fetterman's for any help in stopping PennDOT from taking prime farmland via eminent domain for the 322 Connector Project.
General advocacy for transportation infrastructure (roads, bridges, railroads, locks and dams, inland waterways, etc).
Informed PA House and Senate Members of AFBF's opposition to EPA's proposed Vehicle Emission Standards (Docket #: EPA-HQ-OAR-2022-0829).
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 |
Bailey |
Fisher |
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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
ASKED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING:
- H.R.4288, the Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act, which would reaffirm and strengthen federal law to prevent the emergence of an inconsistent state or local pesticide labels.
- S.1427, the Agriculture PFAs Liability Protection Act, which would exempt farming from any PFAS liability.
- S.747/H.R.1517, the Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act, which would authorize USDA to provide grants to state and territories to address PFAS contamination on farms.
ASKED TO OPPOSE THE FOLLOWING:
- S.269/H.R.5085, the Protect Americas Children from Toxic Pesticides Act, which would modify provisions related to the registration, distribution, sale, and use of pesticides, including by cancelling the registration of organophosphates, neonicotinoids, and paraquat and by creating a process for interested individuals to submit a petition to designate an active ingredient or pesticide as a dangerous pesticide.
- EPA's proposed rule (Docket #: EPA-HQ-OPP-2022-0133) to protect farm workers from pesticide exposure.
OTHER:
- Signed onto coalition letter to ask for a comment extension request on EPA's insecticide strategy (Docket #:EPA-HQ-OPP-2024-0299). Asked PFB members to sign onto individual sign on letter to express concerns on EPA's insecticide strategy. Signed onto coalition letter to EPA raising concerns over their insecticide strategy.
- Signed onto letter to EPA to ask them to engage with stakeholders to discuss improvements to its Endangered Species Act (ESA) risk assessment process.
- Asked PFB members to complete AFBF's advocacy email to their legislator raising concerns of the impacts of PFAS on farms.
- Advocacy in general to encourage legislators to support pesticide, insecticide, herbicide, etc. labeling that is scientifically sound.
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 |
Bailey |
Fisher |
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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 FOR
16. Specific lobbying issues
Explained to Congressional Members that Farm Bureau is remaining neutral on the issue of foreign investment into agricultural land.
Encouraged Congress to modernize the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act before banning certain foreign entities from investing in the U.S.
ASKED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING:
- H.R.9456, the Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act, which would add the USDA Secretary to CFIUS and require them to report certain transactions involving certain countries or their citizens to CFIUS.
NEUTRAL/MONITORED BUT NOT LOBBIED BILLS:
- S.168/H.R.683, the Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act, which would prohibit persons who are acting on behalf of China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea from purchasing or investing in U.S. agricultural land and companies.
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 |
Bailey |
Fisher |
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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
General advocacy to reduce inflation and agricultural input costs, especially for small businesses and family farms.
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 |
Bailey |
Fisher |
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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 LBR
16. Specific lobbying issues
ASKED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING:
- S.3848/H.R.7046, the Supporting Farm Operations Act, which would freeze the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) at the level that was established in 2023 until end of 2025.
- H.J.Res.134/H.J.Res.135, the Congressional Review Act disapproving of DOL's "Improving Protections for Workers in Temporary Agricultural Employment in the United States" rule (Docket #: ETA-2023-0003). Had conversations with PA delegation over PFB's concerns of DOL's Improving Protections for Workers in Temporary Agricultural Employment in the United States.
ASKED TO OPPOSE THE FOLLOWING:
- S.2253/H.R.4579, the Fairness for Farm Workers Act, which would require employers to compensate agricultural workers for hours worked in excess of their regular hours (i.e., 55 hours in 2022, 50 hours in 2023, 45 hours in 2024, and 40 hours in 2025) at not less than one and one-half times the employee's regular rate. This would essentially remove the agricultural exemption from the overtime requirements of the FLSA.
- DOL's March 2023 AEWR calculation/methodology rule (Docket #: ETA-2021-0006), which would increase H-2A employers' cost even more by changing the methodology for how the AEWR is calculated.
NEUTRAL/MONITORED BUT NOT LOBBIED BILLS:
- S.4069, the Affordable and Secure Food Act, which would be a comprehensive reform to the H-2A program.
OTHER:
- Asked members to complete PFB's advocacy email asking House and Senate members to cosponsor S.3848/H.R.7046 (see description above).
- Had conversations with PA House and Senate Members over PFB's concerns with OSHA's proposed rulemaking regarding heat illness (Docket #:OSHA-2021-0009). This would protect indoor and outdoor workers from hazardous heat, and obtain additional information about the extent and nature of hazardous heat in the workplace and the nature and effectiveness of interventions and controls used to prevent heat-related injury and illness. However, the provisions would be extremely difficult for agricultural employers to comply with because the temperature for when the proposed rule kicks in would be 85 degrees.
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 |
Bailey |
Fisher |
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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
General advocacy opposing EPA's 2023 "Revised Definition of "Waters of the United States" - Conforming" (Docket #: EPA-HQ-OW-2023-0346). The Agencies did not take the opportunity after the Supreme Court decision to properly clarify vagueness in the rule.
Expressed feasibility, testing compliancy, and research concerns of EPA's PFAS drinking water rule (Docket #: EPA-HQ-OW-2022-0114) to House and Senate Members.
Participated in calls with agricultural stakeholders on EPA's Animal Agriculture Water Quality Advisory Subcommittee.
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 |
Bailey |
Fisher |
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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
ASKED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING:
- H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, which would address high energy costs by increasing the production of American energy and reducing regulatory burdens through comprehensive permitting reform.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
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 |
Bailey |
Fisher |
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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 IMM
16. Specific lobbying issues
ASKED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING:
- H.R.4708, the H-2 Improvements to Relieve Employers (HIRE) Act, which would codify visa interview waiver authority for H-2 workers and extend the validity of a companys visa petitions and labor certifications.
- H.R.3516, the Farmworker Access and Waiver Act (FAWA), which would waive the interview requirement for returning H-2A visa workers who were previously approved.
OTHER:
- Expressed to PA delegation concerns over DHS' Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to increase fees for H-2B and H-2A non-immigrant visa programs and institutes a $600 Asylum Program Fee on every petition (Docket #: USCIS 2021-0010).
- Informed PA House and Senate Members that Farm Bureau has concerns about mandatory e-verify in H.R.2, the Secure the Border Act, which is a large comprehensive immigration bill proposed by the House GOP.
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 |
Bailey |
Fisher |
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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 RRR
16. Specific lobbying issues
Raised concerns over the California Air Resources Board (CARB)'s Clean Air Act Authorization Request regarding locomotives. (Docket #EPA-HQ-OAR-2023-0574)
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 |
Bailey |
Fisher |
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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
General advocacy for lowering gas and diesel (on and off road) prices.
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 |
Bailey |
Fisher |
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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
ASKED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING:
- S.1957/H.R.1147, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which would permit schools to offer students whole, reduced-fat, low-fat, and fat-free flavored and unflavored milk.
- H.R.5383, the Giving Increased Variety to Ensure Milk Into the Lives of Kids (GIVE MILK) Act by Representatives GT Thompson (R-PA) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA). This bill would allow participants in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program over the age of two to receive 2% reduced fat or whole milk.
- S.549/H.R.1462, the Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, Milk, and Cheese To Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday (DAIRY PRIDE) Act, which would prohibit the sale of any food that uses the market name of adairyproduct (such asmilk,yogurt, orcream cheese) unless the food (1) is the milk of a hooved animal, (2) is derived from such milk, or (3) contains such milk as a primary ingredient. Encouraged PFB members to complete PFB's S.549/H.R.1462's advocacy emails to their legislator asking them to co-sponsor.
- S.3693/H.R.7130, the Fair and Accurate Ingredient Representation (FAIR) on Labels Act, which would ensure plant protein imitation meat/poultry and cell-cultured protein is accurately labeled.
- S.3584/H.R.6945, the Consistent Egg Labels Act, which would create a standard of identity for eggs to ensure plant based eggs are accurately labeled.
ASKED TO OPPOSE THE FOLLOWING:
- FDA's proposed draft guidance on labeling of plant-based milk alternatives (Docket #: FDA-2023-D-0451)
- Certain proposals within Food and Nutrition Service's proposed new school nutrition guidelines (Docket #: FNS-2022-0043-0001).
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 |
Bailey |
Fisher |
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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
ASKED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING:
- S.1666/H.R.3419, the Foreign Animal Disease Prevention, Surveillance, and Rapid Response Act, which would increase funding to fight foreign animal disease and extend authorization for the Animal Health Protection Act through 2028.
- S.3358/H.R.1437, the Black Vulture Relief Act, which would allow livestock producers to take black vultures without a permit if the bird is causing death or injury to their animals.
- H.Res.588, which would express the sense of the House of Representatives that research and promotion boards (checkoffs) support efforts to develop new markets and strengthen existing markets for specific commodities while conducting important research and promotional activities via pooled resources and stakeholder investments.
- S.2235/H.R.5096, the Healthy Poultry Assistance and Indemnification Act, which would make all poultry growers and layer operations within a HPAI control area eligible to receive payments from APHIS compensation program, rather than only flocks that test positive.
ASKED TO OPPOSE THE FOLLOWING:
- S.557/H.R.1249, the Opportunities for Fairness in Farming (OFF) Act, which would establish restrictions and requirements for checkoff programs. These are programs overseen by USDA to promote and provide research and information for a particular agricultural commodity without reference to specific producers or brands.
NEUTRAL/MONITORED BUT NOT LOBBIED BILLS:
- H.R.945, the Strengthening Local Processing Act, which would increase the federal cost share for state facility inspections from 50 to 65% and for Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) facilities from 60 to 80%, thus encouraging more states to operate state inspection programs and participate in CIS.
- S.907/H.R.2814, the Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption (PRIME) Act, which would exempt from federal inspection requirements animals and meats that are slaughtered and prepared at custom animal slaughter facilities for distribution within the state. Under current law, a custom slaughter exemption applies if the meat is slaughtered exclusively for personal, household, guest, or employee uses.
- S.993/H.R.1839, the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, which would schedule xylazine as a controlled substance.
OTHER:
- Had conversations with PA delegation over PFB's concerns over scheduling xylazine due to animal welfare concerns. Xylazine is a commonly used animal tranquilizer used in the veterinary field, but it is now being laced with fentanyl. While PFB understands the impact it is having on fatal drug overdoses, animals rely on the drug for life saving medical procedures. Therefore, not having readily available access poses a danger to the animal's life.
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 |
Bailey |
Fisher |
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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
ASKED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING:
- S.1669/H.R.3413, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, which would require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue a rule that requires all new motor vehicles to have devices that can access AM broadcast stations installed as standard equipment.
- S.719/H.R.1495, the Precision Agriculture Loan (PAL) Act, which would offer low-cost and long-terms loans to agriculture producers who want to adopt precision agriculture technologies but cannot afford to through traditional financing.
- S.720/H.R.1459, the Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation Incentives and Solutions for the Environment (PRECISE) Act, which would provide funding through existing USDA loan programs to help producers purchase precision agriculture equipment.
NEUTRAL/MONTIORED BUT NOT LOBBIED BILLS:
- H.R.9263, the Supporting Innovation in Agriculture Act, which would establish a new tax credit for investment in any innovative agricultural technology projects.
OTHER:
- Asked PFB members to complete AFBF's advocacy email asking their legislator to support S.1669/H.R.3413 (see description above).
- Advocated for Congressional Members to have close oversight of the funding in the allocations of the $42.5 billion Broadband, Equity, Access, and Development Program.
- General lobbying of Congress to increase rural broadband connection and cell service.
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 |
Bailey |
Fisher |
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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
ASKED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING:
- H.R.3580, the Restore the CSP Act, which would reauthorize the USDA-National Resource Conservation Services Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) back to 2014 Farm Bill funding levels by taking conservation dollars authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act and repurposing them to the 2023 Farm Bill baseline for CSP.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
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 |
Bailey |
Fisher |
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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 BUD
16. Specific lobbying issues
FY 25 APPROPS:
- Monitored fiscal year 2025 appropriations.
- Specifically paid close attention to S.4690/H.R.9027, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025. This bill deals with funding levels for USDA, FDA, and impacts Farm Bureau members' operations.
- Specifically paid close attention to H.R.8998, the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025. This bill deals with funding levels for EPA and Interior which impacts Farm Bureau members' operations.
- Asked House members to support Sections 118 and 119 of H.R.9029, the Labor, HHS, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025. Sections 118 and 119 include a two-year Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) freeze at January 2023 levels and rescinds the 2023 wage disaggregation rule (Docket #: ETA-2021-0006).
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 |
Bailey |
Fisher |
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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
ASKED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING:
- S.1237/H.R.1250, the Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act, which would restore the exemptions family farm and small business assets from the FAFSA calculation process in higher education.
- S.4297/H.R.8147, the Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act, which would repeal the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA).
- S.3625/H.R.5119, the Protect Small Business and Prevent Illicit Financial Activity Act, which would extend the deadline for companies to report certain beneficial ownership information to the Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
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 |
Bailey |
Fisher |
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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
PROP 12:
- Asked to oppose California's Proposition 12 and Massachusetts' Question 3. Discussed harmful impacts of regulations like Prop 12 and Question 3 that force arbitrary and unscientific growing practices on other states causing a patchwork of different regulations across state lines which in turn impacts Interstate Commerce.
- Asked to support Section 12007 of H.R.8467 otherwise known as farm bill. Section 12007 would be a legislative fix to Prop 12 and Question 3 by establishing USDA and FDA as the national standard for food that can be moved between state lines. Meaning, CA and MA have every right to implement those growing practices for their states' producers and within their state, but Interstate Commerce does not allow for them to force other states' producers to adapt to these growing practices if they want to sell to CA or MA.
- Had several conversations with legislators and staff on Prop 12 and the need to find a fix in farm bill.
OTHER:
- Had conversations with PA House and Senate members over PFB's concerns with Canada not abiding by the USMCA dairy trade agreement and Mexico banning imports of U.S. bio-tech corn, which both dramatically impact trade exports.
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 |
Bailey |
Fisher |
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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
ASKED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING:
- S.1706/H.R.4721, the Main Street Tax Certainty Act, which would make permanent the 20% deduction for small- and individually-owned businesses (Section 199A).
- S.1108/H.R.7035, the Death Tax Repeal Act, which would Would repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes. It also makes conforming amendments related to the gift tax.
- H.R.4937, the Preserving Family Farms Act, which would modernize Section 2032A Special Use Valuation by increasing the amount of farmland that can be valued for farming operations rather than development value.
- H.R.7024, the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, which would extend the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Specifically, it would extend 100% bonus depreciation, retroactive to 2023, through the end of 2025 and raises the cap on Section 179 expensing.
OTHER:
- Attended Rep. Smucker and Rep. Kelly's roundtable on the importance of extending Section 199A.
- Met with PA delegation offices to discuss need to extend certain TCJA provisions and pass a comprehensive tax package in 2025 to provide farmers and ranchers economic stability.
- Asked PFB members to complete PFB's advocacy email asking their legislator to support S.1706/H.R.4721 (see description above).
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 |
Bailey |
Fisher |
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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 EDU
16. Specific lobbying issues
ASKED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING:
- H.R.4565, the All Children Are Equal (ACE) Act, would eliminate the number weighting system used to distribute Title I grants to ensure that school districts are treated equally based upon their percentages of poverty, rather than population.
- H.R. 7731, the Growing Opportunities in Agriculture (GO Ag) Act, which would create a $5 million grant program within the Department of Education to help CTE schools cover the startup costs associated with agriculture education programs.
- H.R.2728, the Young Farmer Success Act, which would make certain farmers and ranchers eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
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 |
Bailey |
Fisher |
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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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LOBBYIST UPDATE
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AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS
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FOREIGN ENTITIES
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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) |