| LOBBYING REPORT |
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page
2. Address
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P.O. Box 658
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Jefferson City
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MO
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65102
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USA
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3. Principal place of business (if different than line 2)
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| 5. Senate ID# 400275270-12
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| 6. House ID# 400270000
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| TYPE OF REPORT | 8. Year |
2012
| 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 |
| 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 from 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 |
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| Signature |
Digitally Signed By: James Garrett Hawkins, Director of National Legislative Programs
| Date |
04/18/2012
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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 CHM
16. Specific lobbying issues
"Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2011" (H.R. 872): Legislation that would amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Clean Water Act (CWA) to clarify that CWA permits are not needed when a pesticide is applied in accordance with the FIFRA-approved label. The organization supports the bill because requiring CWA permits is duplicative and costly for farmers. (Continued).
The organization also supports S. 718 that clarifies that lawful applications of pesticides under the FIFRA does not trigger regulatory requirements in other programs.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 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 |
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James
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Hawkins
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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
Reauthorization of the "Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users" (SAFETEA-LU): Legislation that establishes surface transportation policies and authorizes projects for a multi-year period. Of particular interest to our organization are provisions in the federal highway bill applicable to farmers who haul their own commodities to market. (Continued).
Our organization supported two amendments to S. 1813, the "Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) Act," pertaining to agricultural transportation. Similar language is included in H.R. 7, the "American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act."
H.R. 3265: A bill to clarify the U.S. Department of Transportation's interpretation of the Hours of Service provisions of federal law as they apply to agricultural producers transporting farm commodities. The organization supports the legislation because it provides greater clarity for farmers in complying with federal laws and regulations.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 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 |
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James
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Hawkins
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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 FUE
16. Specific lobbying issues
Oil Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures (SPCC) Rule: A regulation enforced by the EPA concerning above- and below-ground storage of oil, fuel, etc. Facilities with certain quantities of oil/fuel storage must complete and implement a spill control plan to use in the event an emergency would occur. It is of interest to the organization because farms and ranches often have fuel storage areas.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 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 |
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James
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Hawkins
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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 DIS
16. Specific lobbying issues
Response to natural disasters: The organization was in contact with members of the Missouri Congressional delegation and federal officials concerning the ongoing flood recovery efforts along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Discussions pertained to levee repairs and assistance available through USDA's Emergency Conservation Program and Emergency Watershed Protection Program.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Agriculture - Dept of (USDA), Army - Dept of (Corps of Engineers)
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 |
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James
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Hawkins
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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
"The Tax Hike Prevention and Business Certainty Act" (S. 1647 and H.R. 3091): Legislation that would permanently extend the 15 percent capital gains tax rate. Under current law the 15 percent rate will increase to 20 percent in 2013. The organization supports S. 1647/H.R. 3091. Capital gains taxes have a significant impact on farming and ranching because production agriculture requires large investments in land and buildings that are held for long periods of time. (Continued).
"Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act of 2011" (H.R. 1259 and S. 2242): Legislation that would repeal estate and generation skipping transfer taxes and make permanent the maximum 35 percent gift tax rate and a $5 million lifetime gift exemption. The organization supports permanent estate tax relief. Absent Congressional action in 2012, the top rate for the estate tax will increase to 55 percent and the exemption will decrease from $5 million to $1 million per person.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 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 |
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James
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Hawkins
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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 ENV
16. Specific lobbying issues
"The Superfund Common Sense Act" (S. 1729/H.R. 2997): Legislation to clarify that animal manure is not subject to liability or regulation under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) or the Environmental Protection and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). The organization supports amending the two laws to make this clarification.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 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 |
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James
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Hawkins
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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
U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) entitled "Child Labor Regulations, Orders and Statements of Interpretation; Child Labor Violations-Civil Money Penalties": In September the DOL issued a NPRM that is of concern to the organization because of the potential impacts on farm and ranch families and high school agricultural education programs. The organization filed comments during the formal comment period asking the DOL to withdraw the rulemaking. (cont'd)
We continue to advocate that position.
"Preserving America's Family Farms Act" (S. 2221/H.R. 4157): Legislation that would prohibit the Secretary of Labor from finalizing or enforcing the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published on September 2, 2011 at 76 Federal Register 54836. The organization supports the House and Senate bills.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Labor - Dept of (DOL)
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 |
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James
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Hawkins
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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 NAT
16. Specific lobbying issues
Stream Bank Erosion: The erosion of stream banks is a growing concern among Missouri landowners, but they are restricted in implementing practices to slow or stop soil loss due to policies of the Army Corps of Engineers and other federal agencies. The organization is asking the Corps, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Environmental Protection Agency to work with state regulatory officials to allow landowners the flexibility to manage stream bank erosion without a site-specific permit. (Continued).
H.R. 2942: Legislation that would direct the Chief of the Army Corps of Engineers to revise the Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir System Master Water Control Manual to ensure greater storage capacity to prevent serious downstream flooding. The bill was introduced in response to the massive flooding that occurred along the Missouri River in 2011. The organization supports the bill.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 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 |
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James
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Hawkins
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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
Reauthorization of the 2008 Farm Bill: Omnibus Legislation that sets policies and authorizes the expenditure of funds for commodity support, crop insurance, conservation, renewable energy, credit, livestock, nutrition and other purposes. The organization has policy positions on many aspects of the farm bill, particularly the farm safety net component. (Continued).
"Dairy Security Act of 2011" (H.R. 3062): A bill to repeal the existing Dairy Product Price Support, Milk Income Loss Contract, export incentive programs and replace them with producer margin protection and dairy market stabilization programs. The bill would also reform the Federal Milk Marketing Orders. The organization supports the bill.
Farm Service Agency (FSA) Office Closings: As part of its Blueprint for Stronger Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is proposing to close certain county offices across the country, including a few in Missouri. The organization sent a letter to USDA urging that local concerns identified by farmers be considered before any offices are closed or consolidated.
Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012 (H.R. 3798): Legislation that would amend the Egg Products Inspection Act to revise housing requirements and treatment of egg-laying hens and related enforcement provisions. It also includes labeling requirements for eggs and new air quality standards for hen houses. The organization is concerned about federal legislation mandating production practices.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 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 |
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James
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Hawkins
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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
FY 2013 Budget Proposal from the Obama Administration: The organization is interested in the overall proposed budget, but more specifically the budget for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In addition, Farm Bureau is concerned about the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' budget for the Missouri River basin and the proposed allocation of funds between the Bank Stabilization and Navigation Program and the Missouri River Recovery Program. (Continued).
FY 2013 Agriculture Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill: Legislation that provides funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration. The American Farm Bureau Federation identified spending priorities to share with legislators. Of specific interest to Missouri Farm Bureau is funding for USDA's Agriculture in the Classroom program.
FY 2013 Energy and Water and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill: Legislation that provides funding for the Department of Energy, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Civil Works), Department of Interior, etc. The organization is concerned about the allocation of federal funds within the Corps' Missouri River budget between the Missouri River Recovery Program and the Bank Stabilization and Navigation Program.
FY 2013 House Budget Resolution: The organization is interested in the federal budget, and the agriculture budget in particular because the Agriculture Committee is one of six authorizing committees required to report a budget reconciliation bill by the end of April 2012.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 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 |
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James
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Hawkins
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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 CAW
16. Specific lobbying issues
"Preserve the Waters of the U.S. Act" (S. 2245): Legislation that would prohibit the Secretary of the Army and Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from finalizing the proposed guidance entitled "EPA and Army Corps of Engineers Guidance Regarding Identification of Waters Protected by the Clean Water Act" (EPA-HQ-OW-2011-0409). The organization opposes an expansion of the Clean Water Act, which would be the result of the agency guidance. (Continued).
"Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 2011" (H.R. 1633/S. 1528): Legislation that would temporarily prevent the EPA from changing the national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for course particulate matter for one year. The bill would also exempt "nuisance dust" from regulation, unless nuisance dust was found to cause serious adverse health effects, and the benefits of regulation exceeded the costs. The organization supports H.R. 1633 and S. 1528.
Chesapeake Bay Program Reauthorization and Improvement Act (H.R. 4153): A bill that would modify the existing Chesapeake Bay Program under the Clean Water Act. It would ensure states rights are protected with regard to decision-making about clean water plans, prompt a review of the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) watershed model, and create an independent evaluation commission to oversee the scientific validity of EPAs model. The organization supports the bill.
Preserving Rural Resources Act of 2012 (H.R. 4278): Legislation that would amend the Clean Water Act regarding permit requirements for dredged or fill material. The organization supports the bill because its purpose is to preserve the agricultural exemptions granted to farmers and ranchers by Congress in Section 404(f) of the Clean Water Act.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 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 |
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James
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Hawkins
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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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26. Name of each previously reported organization that is no longer affiliated with the registrant or client
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FOREIGN ENTITIES
27. Add the following foreign entities:
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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
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