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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 |
Address2 | |
City | Jefferson City |
State | MO |
Zip Code | 65102 |
Country | USA |
3. Principal place of business (if different than line 2)
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Zip Code | |
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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 | 2012 |
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 | |
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, Director of National Legislative Programs |
Date | 01/18/2013 |
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
"Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2012" (H.R. 6083): Legislation that sets policies and authorizes the expenditure of funds for commodity support, crop insurance, conservation, renewable energy, credit, livestock, nutrition and other programs. The organization has policy positions on many aspects of the Farm Bill, particularly regarding farm and conservation programs. (Continued)
"Dairy Security Act of 2011 (H.R. 3062): A bill to repeal the existing Dairy Product Price Support Program, Milk Income Loss Contract Program, and export incentive programs, and replace them with producer margin protection and dairy market stabilization programs. The bill would also reform the Federal Milk Marketing Orders. The organization favors changes in existing dairy programs.
Drought and Emergency Disaster Assistance: All Missouri counties received secretarial disaster designations in 2012 due to extreme drought. MFB communicated with the Missouri Congressional delegation and USDA concerning the impacts on farmers and ranchers and possible ways to help. Specific items of discussion included extension of livestock disaster assistance programs that lapsed September 30, 2011, release of Conservation Reserve Program acres for emergency haying and grazing, funding for the Emergency Conservation Program and the tax implications of weather-related sales of livestock.
Agriculture Appropriations: The 2008 Farm Bill directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to make changes in the Packers and Stockyards Act relative to poultry production. Our poultry grower members support provisions pertaining to capital investments, cancellation of growing or production contracts and dispute resolution. The organization is monitoring efforts to limit or prohibit the USDA from implementing the changes specific to poultry.
National School Lunch Program: The Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act, passed by Congress and signed into law by the president in 2010, prompted the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to review nutrition standards for the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. USDA initiated a rulemaking process to update portion sizes and nutrition requirements for the lunch program and they were finalized in 2012. Mandatory caloric limits and limits on lean meat, protein-rich foods and dairy products are of concern to the organization, as are the lack of flexibility and added costs for local school districts.
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 |
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
"Preserve the Waters of the U.S. Act" (S. 2245/H.R. 4965): Legislation that would prohibit the Secretary of the Army and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from finalizing the proposed guidance entitled "EPA and Army Corps of Engineers Guidance Regarding Identification of Waters Protected by the Clean Water Act" (EPA-HQ-OW-2011-0409). The organization is concerned about an expansion of federal reglatory authority under the Clean Water Act. (Continued)
Clean Water Act Guidance: The Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers are working to finalize a guidance document that would broaden the regulatory reach of the Clean Water Act. The organization has urged the agencies not to finalize the Guidance Document.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Army - Dept of (Corps of Engineers), 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 |
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
H.R. 6156 (Permanent Normal Trade Relations to Russia): Legislation authorizing the President to extend to Russia and Moldova Permant Normal Trade Relations (PNTR). Russia entered the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the U.S. had to grant PNTR to the country to be in compliance with WTO requirements that nations have "unconditional" trading relations with other WTO members. The organization supported passage of H.R. 6156.
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 TAX
16. Specific lobbying issues
"The Tax Hike Prevention and Business Certainty Act" (S. 1647 and H.R. 3091): Legislation that would permanently extend the 15 percent capital gains tax rate. Under current law the 15 percent rate will increase to 20 percent in 2013. Capital gains taxes have a significant impact on farming and ranching because production agriculture requires large investments in land and buildings that are held for long periods of time. (Continued)
"Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act of 2011" (H.R. 1259 and S. 2242): Legislation that would repeal estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes and make permanent the maximum 35 percent gift tax rate and a $5 million lifetime gift exemption. Absent Congressional action in 2012, the top rate for the estate tax will increase to 55 percent and the exemption will decrease from $5 million to $1 million per person. The organization supports permanent estate tax relief.
Expiration of Tax Provisions: The organization supported an extension of certain tax provisions that had expired or would have expired at the end of 2012. Such provisions include those relating to the production of renewable energy and Section 179 small business expensing.
"Job Protection and Recession Prevention Act of 2011" (H.R. 8): Legislation that would extend the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts for one year. Priority issues for our organization include extension of capital gains and estate tax relief, which are addressed in the bill. The organization also supported S. 3413, the "Tax Hike Prevention Act of 2012." The organization opposed tax measures that did not address estate taxes.
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 NAT
16. Specific lobbying issues
Endangered Species Act Proposed Listing: The Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to list the Grotto sculpin, a cave fish found in Perry County, Missouri, as endangered and designate critical habitat for the species. The organization requested an extension of the public comment period and submitted comments conveying the private property rights concerns of farmers and landowners and recommending voluntary conservation measures in lieu of land use restrictions. (Continued)
Mississippi River Navigation: Deteriorating conditions for commercial navigation on the Mississippi River prompted the organization to ask the Army Corps of Engineers to consider all options to keep the navigation channel operable.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Army - Dept of (Corps of Engineers), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS)
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 FUE
16. Specific lobbying issues
Federal Renewable Fuel Standard: Comments were submitted in response to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Federal Register Notice "Request for Comment on Letters Seeking a Waiver of the Renewable Fuel Standard" (published August 30, 2012). The organization urged the agency to conduct a thorough assessment of fuel refining and blending operations and the level of flexibility before issuing a waiver decision.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, 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 |
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.
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:
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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 |