|
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)
City |
|
State |
|
Zip Code |
|
Country |
|
|
5. Senate ID# 400275270-12
|
||||||||
|
6. House ID# 400270000
|
TYPE OF REPORT | 8. Year | 2016 |
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 | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
12. Lobbying | 13. Organizations | ||||||||
INCOME relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period was: | EXPENSE relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period were: | ||||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
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 | 1/18/2017 3:36:30 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 2017 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, livestock and poultry marketing, and meat inspection programs.
FY 2017 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 2017 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, Endangered Species Act, and Worker Protection Standards rule pertaining to on-farm pesticide use.
FY 2017 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and related Agencies Appropriations bill: The organization is monitoring discussions concerning the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals (PSM) standard. The effect of OSHA's interpretive memorandum would be felt most significantly on establishments that sell anhydrous ammonia in large quantities, and as a result, will impact farmers' access to and price of anhydrous ammonia. The organization has encouraged dialogue between Members of Congress and OSHA officials.
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 |
|
|
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 temporary tax provisions and maintaining the like-kind exchange provision in the Internal Revenue Code.
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.
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 (S.2202/H.R.4474): Legislation to permanently reinstate five-year depreciation for farm equipment. The organization supports this change since agriculture is an equipment-heavy industry.
The Protect Family Farms and Businesses Act (H.R.6100/S.3436): Legislation to prohibit the Internal Revenue Service from finalizing and implementing its proposed regulations on liquidation of an interest with respect to estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes. The organization opposes the rulemaking because it would make it more difficult for farmers and ranchers who operate family-owned partnerships, LLCs or corporations to transfer their farms and ranches to the next generation. Comments were filed during the public comment period.
Biodiesel Tax Incentive Reform and Extension Act of 2016 (H.R.5240): Legislation that would extend the $1-per-gallon tax credit for biodiesel through the end of 2019 and reform the credit from a blenders credit to a producers credit for fuel using U.S. commodities. The organization supports 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 |
James |
Hawkins |
|
|
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. Language from this bill was offered and approved as an amendment to the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act (S.659), which is also pending in the Senate.
Crop Protection: The organization is monitoring the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) reviews of several agricultural crop protection products, including the herbicide atrazine. A draft ecological assessment for the herbicide was available for public comment. The organization submitted a letter along with comments from individual members in September. EPA has not responded.
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 |
|
|
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 Reform: This issue is a strategic priority for our organization. As such, we support the bills below and are working to carry the discussion forward in 2017.
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 Unnecessarily 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 |
|
|
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: 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 is monitoring the Trans Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations. The organization supports the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and has informed the Missouri Congressional delegation.
Cuba Trade: The administration is moving to remove trade restrictions on credit and banking with Cuba as well re-establish diplomatic relations. Legislation has been introduced in Congress to help facilitate agricultural exports by loosening the requirement for cash only sales, a change the organization supports. This proposal is also being discussed as a part of the appropriations process.
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 |
|
|
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
Missouri River Management: The organization is concerned about potential revisions in the Missouri River Master Manual that could result from the Missouri River Recovery Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement process.
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 |
|
|
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
Water Resources Development Act (S.2848/H.R.5303): Legislation that authorizes, deauthorizes and revises water resource, infrastructure and conservation projects carried out by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The organization supports investments in flood control, ports and river infrastructure, thus our interest in reauthorization of WRDA. The organization supported passage of H.R.5303 and S.2848 and, ultimately, the conference report entitled "Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation 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 |
|
|
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
Address |
|
||||||
City |
|
State |
|
Zip Code |
|
Country |
|
21. Client new principal place of business (if different than line 20)
City |
|
State |
|
Zip Code |
|
Country |
|
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
|
|
||||||||
1 |
|
3 |
|
||||||
2 |
|
4 |
|
ISSUE UPDATE
24. General lobbying issue that no longer pertains
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS
25. Add the following affiliated organization(s)
Internet Address:
Name | Address |
Principal Place of Business (city and state or country) |
||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
|
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 | ||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
|
% |
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 |