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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 |
3. Principal place of business (if different than line 2)
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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 | 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 |
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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 | 10/20/2021 11:58:46 AM |
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
MFB has been very supportive of the actions by USTR that supported a Section 201 investigation for blueberries and the potential for other investigations for other seasonal and perishable commodities - including the later Sec. 332 efforts on strawberries and bell peppers and cucumbers and squash. Our members are supportive of investigations into unfair foreign competition that are making it increasingly difficult for our farmers to compete, especially fruit and vegetable growers.
MFB encouraged members of the Michigan Congressional Delegation to support several letters to the Biden Administration on this topic, including a litter from Senator Rubio to USTR in support of seasonal and perishable commodities and import competition and a letter from Rep. Jack Bergman on support for the U.S. tart cherry industry that highlighted the economic impact and the import challenges faced by the growers.
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
Farm Bureau is opposed to legislation that has been proposed in the House and Senate to end stepped-up basis and impose capital gains taxes at death. The bills treat property which is transferred by gift or at death as if were sold for its fair market value. The proposed Senate bill is called the Sensible Taxation and Equity Promotion (STEP) Act, introduced by Sens. Chris Van Hollen. The introduced House bill is H.R. 2286, sponsored by Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.)
Farm Bureau supports the continuation of Sec. 1031 Like Kind Exchanges. By using Section 1031, farmers are able to defer taxes when they sell real property, such as land or buildings, and replace it with similar property. Without Section 1031 like-kind exchanges, farmers might have to incur debt to continue their businesses or, worse yet, delay essential improvements needed to maintain the financial viability of their farm.
Farm Bureau supports H.R. 1712, Death Tax Repeal Act, introduced by Reps. Jason Smith (R-Mo.) and Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.). and S. 617, Death Tax Repeal Act of 2021- introduced by Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.). Farm Bureau policy supports a permanent repeal of the federal estate tax.
Farm Bureau supports H.R. 1381, Main Street Tax Certainty Act, introduced by Reps. Jason Smith (R-Mo.) and Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) and S. 480. Main Street Tax Certainty Act, introduced by Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) The Section 199A business income deduction allows pass through businesses to take a deduction worth 20 percent of their business income. Ninety-eight percent of farms and ranches are organized as pass through businesses. If it is not made permanent, the result will be a huge increase in the taxes that farmers and ranchers pay and leave them without ways to deal with the cyclical and unpredictable nature of their businesses.
Farm Bureau supports H.R. 2558 and S. 1166, the Accelerate Long-term Investment Growth Now Act (ALIGN Act) which would make full and immediate expensing provisions permanent.
Because farming requires large investments in machinery and equipment, farmers and ranchers place great value on tax code provisions that allow them to write off expenditures in the year that purchases are made. Immediate deductibility permits them to better manage cash flow, minimize tax liabilities and reduce borrowing. Immediate expensing also offers the benefit of reducing the record keeping burden associated with having to depreciate equipment.
Curtailing valuation discounting, an estate planning practice helpful to farmers and ranchers as they transfer their agricultural operations from one generation to another, has surfaced as one of the potential revenue raisers that could be used to pay for spending legislation. Michigan Farm Bureau opposes these efforts.
Michigan Farm Bureau has weighed in with Members of Congress about the above mentioned tax provisions as part of the broader conversation around Budget Reconciliation and Infrastructure as well.
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 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 2021 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.
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 TEC
16. Specific lobbying issues
Farm Bureau supports the Eliminating Barriers to Rural Internet Development Grant Eligibility (EBRIDGE) Act: H.R. 3193 and S. 1695. The bill would:
Eliminate barriers to investments in broadband in distressed communities, making them eligible for EDA grants; Clarify that eligible recipients may include public-private partnerships and consortiums to leverage private sector expertise in project development; Provide flexibility in the procurement process to account for the limited availability of broadband services in distressed communities; Clarify that funds can be combined with other federal resources; and Provide flexibility on accounting for in-kind methods to meet non-federal cost share.
Farm Bureau also supports H.R. 3369, the Broadband for Rural America Act. The bill invests $43.2billion in USDAs Rural Development broadband programs by providing last mile technical and financial assistance to rural communities seeking to improve their broadband service, increasing resources available to build out middle mile, providing grant funding to small rural communities, and providing funds to invest in distance learning and telemedicine capabilities.
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 AGR
16. Specific lobbying issues
Michigan Farm Bureau supports S.1251, the bipartisan Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2021, and advocated for passage in the Senate. MFB also supports the House companion, H.R. 2820.
The Growing Climate Solutions Act would create a certification program at USDA to help solve technical entry barriers for farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who wish to participate in voluntary carbon credit markets.
Farm Bureau also sent a letter to President Biden asking for clarity on his goal to conserve at least 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030, commonly referred to as 30 by 30.
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 TRA
16. Specific lobbying issues
Michigan Farm Bureau supports the Senate approved H.R. 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. BIF touts $550 billion in new spending over the next 5 years. It invests $110 billion in U.S. roads and bridges, $65 billion for broadband, and $17.3 billion for ports and inland waterways. Farm Bureau supports H.R. as passed in the Senate and has long advocated for investments in roads, bridges, locks, dams, rail, broadband and other physical infrastructure projects.
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) |