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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 | 2019 |
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 | 1/16/2020 11:59:25 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 2019 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. Michigan Farm Bureau did not take a position on H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act because several key items were not addressed and amendments were not allowed. However, Farm Bureau opposed the Rule to the bill and supported the Motion to Recommit (roll 673). Farm Bureau was very concerned that the bill did not do enough to curb the unsustainable growth in the AEWR, it capped the year-round visas at an extremely low number, extended private right of action to H-2A workers and mandated e-verify for only agriculture and no other industries.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Agriculture - Dept of (USDA), White House Office
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
Michigan Farm Bureau supports the U.S. Mexico Canada (USMCA) agreement. While we supported NAFTA, the USMCA is an opportunity to modernize or improve some areas for agriculture, we also support that - including Sanitary/Phytosanitary requirements, biotechnology, and additional protections for fruit and vegetable growers. MFB also has advocated the importance of the trading relationship with China to the Administration and Congress and the $20 billion positive impact to the ag sector in 2017. Farm Bureau advocated for passage of H.R. 5430, USMCA.
We also communicated to USDA about a concern with competition our tart cherry industry is experiencing from the country of Turkey with little barriers to entry, in addition to seasonal competition to US asparagus growers from Mexico and Peru. Michigan Farm Bureau advocated for and supported the new trade agreement with Japan. Japan currently is the top 3 trade destination for Michigan agricultural products.
MFB urged Congress to support H.R. 101/S. 16 the Defending Domestic Produce Production Act, a bill that would make it easier for a small seasonal, specialty crop industry to build and take a case against a foreign county that is believed to be dumping product below the cost of production or unfairly subsidized by their government. We also urged support of S. 564, the Self Initiation Trade Enforcement Act, a bill that would create a task force within the Department of Commerce that small seasonal specialty crop industries could petition in the event they believe they are being hurt by unfair foreign competition.
Farm Bureau urged the Administration to quickly finalize a trade deal with the Peoples Republic of China and end tariffs hurting US agricultural exports. Farm Bureau urged quick passage, and end to tariffs and expanded markets for U.S. agriculture.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Agriculture - Dept of (USDA), White House Office
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
Michigan Farm Bureau supported H.R. 4919, The Responsible & Efficient Agriculture Destination (TREAD) Act, recently introduced by Reps. Angie Craig (D-MN) and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA). This bipartisan legislation would provide additional flexibility to those hauling agricultural products and livestock.
Farm Bureau continues to hear from farmers that have been negatively impacted due to Hours of Service (HOS) requirements and the burden it places on hauling perishable and seasonal commodities and livestock to markets. H.R. 4919 provides for an additional 150 air-miles exemption from HOS regulations on the backend of hauls (after delivery) for those transporting agricultural commodities. This builds on the current exemption for the beginning of hauls (before delivery) at the source and would simply add the term destination. The bill additionally allows this exemption to be utilized year-round rather than only during planting and harvesting seasons.
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 TAX
16. Specific lobbying issues
Michigan Farm Bureau advocated for several tax provisions included in H.R. 1865, Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020. The legislation includes multiple tax code changes sought by Farm Bureau including repeal of the HIT Tax and the extension of tax incentives for biodiesel.
HEALTH INSURANCE TAX (HIT): The legislation permanently repeals the Health Insurance Tax (HIT) that was levied on health insurance companies but was passed along to individuals who purchase their own insurance. The HIT was expected to collectively add an estimated $16 billion to the cost of coverage for individuals, small businesses, families and Medicare Advantage seniors in 2020, an average $500 in added health insurance premiums per family.
BIODIESEL AND RENEWABLE BIODIESEL: The legislation retroactively reinstates and extends tax incentives for biodiesel and renewable biodiesel through December 31, 2022 and tax credits for second generation biofuels through 2020. Biodiesel and biofuel production not only help farmers by expanding markets for their products, but in many rural areas of the country, biodiesel and biofuel production facilities are a driving force in local economies that provide employment and broaden the local tax base.
SHORT LINE RAILROADS: The legislation retroactively restores and extends the 50 percent tax credit for short line railroad maintenance through December 31, 2022. Short line railroads are first-and-last mile carriers that connect small towns, farms and factories to the national rail network, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth in thousands of local communities.
COOPERATIVES: The legislation allows rural electric cooperatives to maintain their tax-exempt status when they receive grants for such things as expanding broadband or restoring power after storms and disaster. Many farmers belong to and rely on rural electric cooperatives to provide electricity and broadband to their farms and homes.
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
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:
Name | Address |
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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) |