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LOBBYING REPORT |
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page
2. Address
| Address1 | 228 Oakland Park Avenue |
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| City | Columbus |
State | OH |
Zip Code | 43214 |
Country | USA |
3. Principal place of business (if different than line 2)
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5. Senate ID# 401104840-12
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6. House ID# 440410001
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| TYPE OF REPORT | 8. Year | 2021 |
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 | 8/31/2021 |
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: Carol Nolan Drake |
Date | 9/1/2021 7:53:43 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
Filed Requests for Report Language in the Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies, to change the cap on HRA Excepted Benefit programs from the current $1,800 per family to $1,800 per enrolled participant. Requested that HHS, Treasury and Labor determine whether a change in the cap from $1,800 per enrolled family to $1,800 per enrolled participant, indexed for inflation, would provide an enrolled participant, including a retiree, with the ability to choose the types of treatment or coverage that is best suited to his or her needs and any dependents. The report would be due 90 days from the date of the bill's enactment.
Requested assistance from the Senate and House offices and relevant Committees on upcoming reconciliation activity due to the passage of the budget framework to address the situation with Employer Group Waiver Plans (EGWPs).
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Health & Human Services - Dept of (HHS)
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 |
Carol |
Nolan Drake |
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Federal Liaison |
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
Followed two bills: Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) introduced H.Res.249, a Resolution which is Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Congress should not impose a financial transaction tax on individuals or market intermediaries in connection with trades executed on the National Market System or alternative trading systems. The Resolution was introduced on March 17 and was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
H.R. 328, the Wall Street Tax Act, would create a financial transaction tax on the sale of stocks, bonds, and derivatives at 0.1 percent (10 basis points), which could raise approximately $777 billion over ten (10) years.
Followed a joint resolution: Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced S.J.Res.16, a joint resolution providing for disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule finalized by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The joint resolution, filed under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), would reverse the SECs final rule in September 2020 relating to "Procedural Requirements and Resubmission Thresholds Under Exchange Act Rule 14a-8."
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 |
Carol |
Nolan Drake |
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Federal Liaison |
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 HCR
16. Specific lobbying issues
Continued advocacy on the impact to Employer Group Waiver Plans (EGWPs) with respect to S. 2543, the Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019, from last session, and H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2021, which does not include a fix for Employer Group Waiver Plans (EGWPs). Continued education on the impact of changes to Medicare Part D restructuring for EGWP plans with House and Senate members, the pending Rebate Rule which has been stayed by the Biden Administration and its consequences to plan sponsors.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Health & Human Services - Dept of (HHS)
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 |
Carol |
Nolan Drake |
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Federal Liaison |
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 RET
16. Specific lobbying issues
Continued advocacy on the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) in the House and Senate. On April 1, Chairman Richard Neal (D-MA) introduced H.R. 2337, a bill to amend title II of the Social Security Act to provide an equitable Social Security formula for individuals with noncovered employment and to provide relief for individuals currently affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision.
Monitored H.R. 82, the Social Security Fairness Act of 2021, which repeals provisions that reduce Social Security benefits for individuals who receive other benefits, such as a pension from a state or local government, eliminates the government pension offset and the windfall elimination provision. These changes would be effective for benefits payable after December 2021.
On April 22, Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) reintroduced his bill to amend title II of the Social Security Act to repeal the government pension offset (GPO) and windfall elimination provisions (WEP). The bill is S. 1302.
On May 20, Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) introduced their bipartisan legislation, S. 1770, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reform retirement provisions, and for other purposes. SERS is following this bill.
On May 20, Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced S. 1762, a bill to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to permit retirement plans to consider certain factors in investment decisions. SERS is following the bill.
Chairman Richard Neal (D-MA) and Ranking Member Kevin Brady (R-TX), serving on the House Committee on Ways and Means, introduced H.R. 2954, the Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2021, or SECURE Act 2.0. SERS is following 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 |
Carol |
Nolan Drake |
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Federal Liaison |
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 MMM
16. Specific lobbying issues
SERS and other organizations have sought the repeal of the Rebate Rule, promulgated by the previous administration. SERS has requested that HHS/Medicare work with the Biden administration on the Medicare Part D restructuring proposals to address the issues for Employer Group Waiver Plans (EGWPs). We have discussed the potential for legislative and/or regulatory actions for consideration for the under-65 retiree population and to address the high cost of prescription drug costs.
Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), along with Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) introduced the Medicare at 50 Act, S. 1279, on April 21, which we are following.
H.R. 1868, which extended a suspension of Medicare sequestration and make other technical changes to Medicare payments and Medicaid eligibility, was signed by President Biden. The bill also took care of the pay-go provisions which would have applied to the American Rescue Plan.
H.R. 19, the Lower Costs, More Cures Act was reintroduced on April 21. Reps. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) and Bob Latta (R-OH) are the two Ohio co-sponsors. SERS is following this bill in the House and the Senate companion bill, which was introduced.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Health & Human Services - Dept of (HHS)
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 |
Carol |
Nolan Drake |
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Federal Liaison |
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 |
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) |