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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 11000 |
Address2 | 2108 East South Boulevard |
| City | Montgomery |
State | AL |
Zip Code | 36191-0001 |
Country | USA |
3. Principal place of business (if different than line 2)
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5. Senate ID# 693-12
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6. House ID# 322550000
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| TYPE OF REPORT | 8. Year | 2018 |
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. | ||||||||
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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: Paul Pinyan |
Date | 1/17/2019 2:00:49 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
Supported H.R.2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 and communicated with Senate and House offices the following points regarding conferencing the two bills:
Title I - Commodities
Actively Engaged definition - we support House language which broadens definition of family member for actively engaged determination for program eligibility to include nieces, nephews and first cousins; we oppose Senate language includes significantly tighter actively engaged provisions that limit only one person or entity in a farm operation to meet actively engaged requirement by providing management activities
Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) Test - we support House language which maintains the current AGI limitation at $900,000; we oppose Senate language which sets a new level at $700,000
Payment limitations - both bills continue the current payment limit of $125,000 for ARC/PLC program payments and maintains a separate payment limit for peanuts; we support continuation of the separate payment limit for peanuts
Price Loss Coverage (PLC) - we support the House bills proposal to allow the PLC statutory reference price to float up to 115% based on market conditions
Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC-CO) - we support Senate language which increases the plug yields in the benchmark revenue calculation from 70% to 75%
Base Acres - Review/Update - the House bill states farms with base acres and no covered commodity planted or prevented planted at any point during 2009 through 2017, the base acres become unassigned; Senate bill requires a report within two years to address unplanted base acres; we support voluntary base updates and oppose mandatory base update, so with that in mind we would be more supportive of Senate approach
Base Acres - Non-covered commodities - both bills allow the Secretary to include non-covered commodities such as fruits, vegetables, or wild rice planted on base to be considered the same as planting a covered commodity; consideration should be given to other agricultural endeavors on those acres such as crawfish, alfalfa, or sugarcane production
Seed cotton - we support language in both bills that continue to make seed cotton eligible for Title I programs with a reference price of $0.367/lb
Economic Adjustment Assistance for Upland Cotton - we support House language that provides for a modest increase in funding; we oppose the Senate language that only makes funding mandatory through 2021
Title II - Conservation
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Cap - House bill language which increases CRP acreage by 1 million acres per year up to 29 million acres; Senate bill increases total enrollment to 25 million acres for the life of the bill; we oppose an increase of the current cap of 24 million acres and would be more supportive of Senate language, but would prefer no increase at all
CRP Permanent Easements - the House bill is silent; we oppose the Senate bill that creates a new program which would pay up to fair market value for land coming out of CRP contracts to place it in a permanent conservation easement
CRP Rental Rates - the House bill states initial sign up will be set at 80% of NASS rental rates and steps down for subsequent re-enrollments (65% -1st, 55% - 2nd, 45%-3rd, 35% - 4th); Senate language sets rental rate at 88.5% of county average; the House bill provides for a significant incentive to enroll new lands over land currently in the program which takes more land out of production
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Livestock - the House bill removes 60% livestock carveout; Senate sets livestock carveout at 50%; we support ensuring sufficient funding levels for livestock priorities such as fencing and water supplies
Feral Swine Pilot Program - we support the House bill which creates a new pilot program for feral swine control efforts; would suggest a couple of changes prioritizing implementation of proven control techniques over additional studies
Titles XI and XII - Miscellaneous Provisions
National Animal Disease Preparedness - both bills authorize funding for disease preparedness and response program; we support the House language than not only authorizes, but also funds the program
Regulatory Reform:
We support House language addressing the following regulatory issues:
Improvements in the House version regarding the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
The elimination of the requirement of an NPDES permit under the CWA for pesticides approved under FIFRA
Repeal of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule
Provisions relating to the Protecting Interstate Commerce Act (PICA)
Transportation - we support Senate language addressing greater regulatory flexibility for the transportation of agricultural commodities and livestock which should also include live fish and crawfish.
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 |
Mitt |
Walker |
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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 BUD
16. Specific lobbying issues
Advocated for supplemental disaster funding in response to Hurricane Michael
Supported language in appropriations bill to freeze H-2B adverse wages
Supported language in appropriations bill to continue withholding funds for enforcing Electronic Logging Devices, particularly for those hauling livestock, insects, fish, or perishable commodities
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 |
Mitt |
Walker |
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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 FIN
16. Specific lobbying issues
Encouraged House members to sign letter opposing a proposed rule by the Small Business Administration excluding poultry houses from being eligible for SBA loans
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
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 |
Mitt |
Walker |
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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 INS
16. Specific lobbying issues
Signed letter to Senate leadership in support title XIV of S.488, the JOBS and Investor Confidence Act of 2018, which ensures that any insurance standards adopted in international forums will be appropriate for U.S. insurance markets and will not unfairly disadvantage U.S. insurance companies and the millions of consumers served by the industry.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
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 |
Mitt |
Walker |
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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
Supported the repeal or delay of the Heath Insurance Tax (HIT); S. 3063 and H.R. 5963
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 |
Mitt |
Walker |
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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
Discussed tariff impacts on agricultural commodities
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 |
Mitt |
Walker |
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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 |