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LOBBYING REPORT |
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page
2. Address
Address1 | 1320 Capitol Street, NE |
Address2 | Suit 200 |
City | Salem |
State | OR |
Zip Code | 97301 |
Country | USA |
3. Principal place of business (if different than line 2)
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5. Senate ID# 400263203-12
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6. House ID# 400040000
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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: Gail Greenman |
Date | 6/13/2019 2:43:59 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
Monitored announced deadlines of farm bill programs.
FARM SERVICE AGENCY - SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
New program deadlines set to adjust for federal government shutdown.
Market Facilitation Program
Deadline to apply extended to Feb. 14, 2019
Marketing Assistance Loans
If loan matured in December 2018, settlement date extended to Feb. 14, 2019
Livestock Forage Disaster
2018 application for payment due Feb. 28, 2019
Emergency Assistance Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-raised Fish Program
Notice of loss due Feb. 14, 2019
Livestock Indemnity Program
Notice of loss due Feb. 14, 2019
Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program
Submitting 2019 application for coverage due Feb. 14, 2019
Tree Assistance Program
Notice of loss due Feb. 14, 2019
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
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 |
Gail |
Greenman |
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Gail |
Greenman |
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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
MILK LABELING - Discussion/Action
The Food and Drug Administration regulates how foods may be labeled under the agencys Standards of Identity, including the labeling of dairy and non-dairy imitation products. The existing Standards of Identity clearly state that terms such as milk, cheese, yogurt, etc. apply to products made from the milk of cows. Plant-based foods and beverages are not held to the same Standards of Identity and yet they have benefitted from using the term Milk and other dairy terms on their packaging. The failure of the FDA to enforce current regulations clearly has implications for consumers and the dairy sector.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
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 |
Gail |
Greenman |
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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
GUEST WORKER LEGISLATION
Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), chair of the House Immigration Subcommittee, has introduced legislation to provide legalization and a path to citizenship for agricultural workers, their spouses and children. AFBF has released a statement on H.R. 641, which was referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
On January 17, 2019, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Chair of the House Immigration Subcommittee introduced legislation providing a path to legalization and citizenship for agricultural workers. A copy of the bill, numbered H.R. 641, is attached. The draft proposal would provide legal status to agricultural workers, their spouses and children and also a path to citizenship. Rep. Lofgrens staff has indicated that they will shortly engage in discussions on potential guest worker provisions, either based on the current H-2A program or some other proposal.
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 |
Gail |
Greenman |
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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
The Administration has sent to Congress a description of changes to U.S. law that would be required to bring the U.S. into compliance with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). This required document must be provided sixty days after entering a trade agreement.
The International Trade Commission announced that, due to the government shutdown, all reports will be delayed thirty-five days. The ITC report on the USMCA, required to be submitted to Congress 105 days after a trade agreement is signed, was originally due by March 15, 2019. It is now expected in early May 2019.
The changes to U.S. law, that will be included in the implementing bill for USMCA when it is submitted by the Administration, include changes to agricultural TRQs (tariff-rate quotas) for dairy, poultry, eggs and other products; rules of origin for agricultural products; rules of origin for automotive goods and for textiles; government procurement; dispute settlement provisions for antidumping and countervailing duties; energy and other provisions.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), 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 |
Gail |
Greenman |
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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
HIT TAX
Two bipartisan bills have been introduced in the Senate to provide farmers and ranchers with relief from the Health Insurance Tax (HIT Tax). S. 80 would repeal the HIT Tax. S. 172 would suspend the HIT Tax for 2020 and 2021.
S. 80, the Jobs and Premiums Protections Act, would repeal the HIT Tax. The bill was introduced by Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) and Cory Gardner (R-Colo.).
S. 172, the Health Insurance Tax Relief Act of 2019 would suspend the HIT Tax for 2020 and 2021. The bill was introduced by Sens. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.).
Most farmers and ranchers and other small businesses cannot self-insure because they do not have a large enough pool of employees. Instead, they purchase health insurance for themselves, their families and their employees on the fully insured market. The Health Insurance Tax (HIT), enacted as part of the Affordable Care Act, is levied on health insurance companies who operate in the fully insured marketplace and is directly passed on to individuals and small businesses who purchase their own insurance.
There is moratorium on the collection of the HIT Tax during 2019 but the HIT will collectively add an estimated $16 billion to the cost of coverage for individuals, small businesses, families and Medicare Advantage seniors in 2020. This works out to an average $500 in added health insurance premiums per family.
Sen. John Thune has introduced S. 215, Death Tax Repeal Act of 2019, to repeal the estate tax. The bill has 28 original cosponsors. It is a companion to H.R. 218 introduced in the House by Reps. Jason Smith (R-Mo.) and Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.). Both bills retain stepped-up basis. Farm Bureaus letter of support and updated fact sheet are attached.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, passed in 2017, temporarily doubles the estate tax exemption to $11 million per person through 2025. In addition, the legislation preserves stepped-up basis and continues to allow the transfer of any unused exemption to a surviving spouse. Without Congressional action, the estate exemption will revert to $5.5 million per person in 2026.
The new $11 million per person exemption level will protect the vast majority of our nations farm and ranches from the devastating consequences of estate taxes, but a potential return to a $5.5 million per person exemption in 2026 is troublesome. Instead of spending money to upgrade buildings, purchase equipment and further invest in livestock herds, farmers and ranchers will have to continue to divert resources to pay for estate planning and life insurance. Farm Bureau supports making the $11 million estate exemption permanent until estate taxes can be repealed.
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 |
Gail |
Greenman |
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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 |
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) |