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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 | 2020 |
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: John Kran |
Date | 7/20/2020 4:49:03 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 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 2019 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, Agriculture - Dept of (USDA), White House Office
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 TRD
16. Specific lobbying issues
MFB urged Congress to support H.R. 101/S. 16 the Defending Domestic Produce Production Act, a bill that would make it easier for a small seasonal, specialty crop industry to build and take a case against a foreign county that is believed to be dumping product below the cost of production or unfairly subsidized by their government. We also urged support of S. 564, the Self Initiation Trade Enforcement Act, a bill that would create a task force within the Department of Commerce that small seasonal specialty crop industries could petition in the event they believe they are being hurt by unfair foreign competition.
Farm Bureau urged the Administration to quickly finalize a trade deal with the Peoples Republic of China and end tariffs hurting US agricultural exports. Farm Bureau urged quick passage, and end to tariffs and expanded markets for U.S. agriculture. Farm Bureau supported the Phase I agreement reached in January.
We also communicated to USDA about a concern with competition our tart cherry industry is experiencing from the country of Turkey with little barriers to entry, in addition to seasonal competition to US asparagus growers from Mexico and Peru. Michigan Farm Bureau advocated for and supported the new trade agreement with Japan. Japan currently is the top 3 trade destination for Michigan agricultural products.
Michigan Farm Bureau also advocated for improved trade with the European Union. Trade between the two countries amounts to $1 trillion worth of goods and services annually and $3.7 trillion in two-way direct investment. The U.S. exported $12.7 billion in agricultural products to the EU in 2018, while the EU exported $23.7 billion in agricultural products to the U.S. Specifically, MFB advocated for the following points: Include all agricultural products and policies in the negotiations; Eliminate non-tariff trade barriers; Ensure market access for biotechnology products; Address issues concerning import-sensitive products; Oppose the Precautionary Principle; and Oppose the use of geographic indicators.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Agriculture - Dept of (USDA), White House Office
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 supported transportation infrastructure improvement to highways, bridges, railways, locks and dams, harbors and port facilities, and expanding broadband access across rural communities.
Michigan Farm Bureau supported H.R. 4919, The Responsible & Efficient Agriculture Destination (TREAD) Act, recently introduced by Reps. Angie Craig (D-MN) and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA). This bipartisan legislation would provide additional flexibility to those hauling agricultural products and livestock.
Farm Bureau continues to hear from farmers that have been negatively impacted due to Hours of Service (HOS) requirements and the burden it places on hauling perishable and seasonal commodities and livestock to markets. H.R. 4919 provides for an additional 150 air-miles exemption from HOS regulations on the backend of hauls (after delivery) for those transporting agricultural commodities. This builds on the current exemption for the beginning of hauls (before delivery) at the source and would simply add the term destination. The bill additionally allows this exemption to be utilized year-round rather than only during planting and harvesting seasons.
Farm Bureau is a founding member of the Rebuild Rural Coalition, comprised of more than 220 organizations from across the country. The coalition collectively represents U.S. agricultural producers and cooperatives, and rural businesses, communities and families. The Rebuild Rural Coalition is dedicated to advocating for investment in rural Americas infrastructure and understands that rural Americas infrastructure needs are fundamentally vast.
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
Michigan Farm Bureau supports S. 1149 and H.R. 216, the Main Street Tax Certainty Act to make deduction for small business income permanent (Sec. 199A). Failure to extend this provision will result in a tax increase for farmers and leave them without ways to deal with the cyclical and unpredictable nature of their businesses. 199A allows a small business that operates as a sole proprietorship, partnership or S -Corp to take a tax deduction of up to 20 percent of qualified business income.
Farm Bureau supports H.R. 5259, the Preserving Family Farms Act to allow $11.4 million of farmland or ranchland to be valued at agricultural value rather than developed value under section 2032A Special Use Valuation. This is especially important at the time of the death of a family member. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act doubled the estate tax level up to $11 million through 2025, but not permanently. Section 2032A special use valuation is one tool available to help family business owners manage their estate tax liability.
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 HCR
16. Specific lobbying issues
Michigan Farm Bureau supported S. 2599 and H.R. 4820, the Seeding Rural Resilience Act. This legislation would require USDA to implement a public service announcement campaign to support the mental health needs of famers. USDA would also train employees on stress and suicide prevention. Additionally, they would be charged with convening a task force of rural stakeholders at the federal, state, and local levels to assess the causes of mental stress in farmers and identify best practices for responding to such stress. Farm Bureau supports this legislation.
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 supported S. 1522 and H.R. 3162, the Broadband Data Improvement Act. This legislation would improve the accuracy of broadband coverage maps and as a result, better direct federal funds to expand connectivity. The legislation improves upon data gathering methods by requiring broadband providers to report data that is significantly more granular and transparent. Farm Bureau supports this legislation.
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 SMB
16. Specific lobbying issues
Farm Bureau advocated for agricultures inclusion in the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans and for reforms and increased funding to the program once implemented and for follow up bills. Farm Bureau also advocated for extending the deadline beyond the original June 30 deadline for participation in PPP. In addition, MFB continues to advocate for the following priorities:
Sole-proprietors should be able to apply based on gross receipts.
H-2A workers should qualify as employees under the PPP and wages paid be eligible for loan forgiveness.
Businesses should not be required to show a 50 percent reduction in gross income for eligibility.
PPP loans of less than $150,000 should be forgiven upon the borrowers completion of a simple, one-page forgiveness document.
All business-related rental payments should be eligible for loan forgiveness.
PPE should be an eligible expenditure for loan forgiveness - including costs to modify worker housing and adjust transportation.
Expenses paid with PPP loan funds should be eligible for a business income tax deduction.
Income from farm equipment trades, sales of breed livestock, rental income and commodity wages should count toward loan availability.
IRS Form 943 should be allowable for loan forgiveness purposes.
501(c)5 agricultural organizations should be eligible for PPP loans.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, White House Office, Small Business Administration (SBA)
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 advocated for assistance for farmers and rural communities as part of the COVID-19 response packages from Congress including: access to agricultural labor, including continued access and flexibility with the H-2A visa program, increased authority to USDA to help farmers through the Commodity Credit Corporation and with the Farm Service Agency on access to safety net programs; open borders for ag visa workers and also for farm input and ag export flow, designation of all ag and ag related businesses as critical infrastructure and essential services, funding for broadband, financial assistance to farmers through credit, tax code and other avenues. Additionally, Farm Bureau advocated for agricultures inclusion in the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans and for reforms and increased funding to the program once implemented and for follow up bills. Farm Bureau also advocated for direct assistance to famers through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) in the CARES Act and the Farmers to Families Food Box program to help move food products to those in need. Farm Bureau also advocated for continued access to personal protective equipment (PPE) to farmers and ag processors throughout the COVID outbreak and for flexibility in Hours of Service requirements for farmers and haulers of ag commodities. Specific to CFAP, MFB advocated for the inclusion of specialty crops in the program in addition to livestock, poultry and row crops produced in Michigan and for help to Michigan farmers hurt both before and after the April time window to help farmers with crops planted or harvested later have also been negatively impacted by the virus and market disruption. MFB submitted comments to USDA on the notice of funds available.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Agriculture - Dept of (USDA), White House Office
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.
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
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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
| 1 | 3 | 5 |
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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) |