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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 | 2016 |
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 | 10/14/2016 11:10:34 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 CAW
16. Specific lobbying issues
Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) continues to express concerns with the EPAs efforts to expand the definition of Waters of the United States under the Clean Water Act/Clean Water Rule. MFB supported H.R. 1732, the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act of 2015 and has asked the U.S. Senate to pass similar legislation. The bill would require the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. EPA to withdraw the Clean Water Rule. MFB also supported S. 1140 the Federal Water Quality Protection Act and S.J.Res. 22, a vote of disapproval of the WOTUS rule. MFB also supports H.R. 3120, the Great Lakes Assurance Verification Act of 2015, a bill that would establish a Great Lakes basin initiative for agricultural nonpoint source pollution prevention.
MFB supports H.R. 5226, the Regulatory Integrity Act, a bill that requires transparency about public communications made by agencies. MFB believed that the EPA overstepped its boundaries in regard to how it communicated the Waters of the US rule during the public comment period. This bill is in response to that concern.
MFB also supported the Interior Appropriations Bill that passed in the House in July. In particular provisions that would prevent EPA from making changes to the definition of "navigable waters" under the Clean Water Act.
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 agricultures 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 creates a usable guest worker visa program run by the USDA that allows for at-will or contract workers for agriculture. MFB opposes H.R. 1147 the Legal Workforce Act, a bill to require mandatory E-Verify, unless the legislation were to move in tandem with legislation addressing agricultures labor needs.
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 TRD
16. Specific lobbying issues
Michigan Farm Bureau supports the passage of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), continued efforts to negotiate the U.S.-E.U. Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), and the concept of trade with Cuba. FB Policy for trade negotiations includes as objectives: Include all agricultural products and policies in the negotiations; Elimination of non-tariff trade barriers; Ensure market access for biotechnology products; Address issues concerning import sensitive products; Opposition to the use of geographic indicators.
MFB also is in support of normalizing trade relations with Cuba and was part of a letter that went to House leadership advocating for fully lifting the financing, trade and travel bans for Cuba.
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 FOO
16. Specific lobbying issues
Michigan Farm Bureau supported S. 764 - the Roberts-Stabenow GMO Labeling compromise. MFB policy supported a federal standard that would preempt mandatory state GMO labeling laws. In addition MFB supports a federal definition for biotechnology.
MFB supports H.R. 3532, the Fruit and Vegetable Access for Children Act, the bill would expand the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) to allow schools to serve all forms of produce. Michigan annually processes more fruits like apples and cherries than are sold for fresh consumption. MFB Policy supports increased market opportunity for growers. MFB also supported a letter to appropriators on child nutrition reauthorization that would open the program to all forms of produce - fresh, frozen, canned and other processed products.
MFB Supported H.R. 5003, Improving Child Nutrition and Education Act of 2016. The bill expands the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable program to allow schools to serve more fruits and vegetables - fresh, frozen, canned or dried.
MFB opposed efforts in the House and Senate to move catfish inspection from the Food Safety and Inspection Service to FDA. MFB opposed S.J.Res 28 and similar efforts in the House.
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 ANI
16. Specific lobbying issues
Michigan Farm Bureau filed comments on the USDA National Organic Program's proposed changes to Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices published in the Federal Register on April 13, 2016. MFB expressed concerns with the proposal, specifically with the creation of cage size and outdoor access for livestock and poultry under this proposal. MFB communicated these concerns to congress in addition to USDA.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Agriculture - Dept of (USDA)
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
MFB encouraged members of Congress to support a letter to Treasury Secretary Lew opposing proposed changes to estate tax discount valuation rules. MFB also supported H.R. 6100, Protect Family Farms and Businesses Act, which would prevent the IRS from issuing rules that would restrict estate tax discount valuation from taking effect. The bill was introduced by Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio). MFB has serious concerns about how this proposed change to negatively impact estate planning and transferring family farms to the next generation when a family death occurs leading to increased tax burdens on the heirs.
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 CHM
16. Specific lobbying issues
Earlier this year, EPA issued a draft Ecological Assessment of the herbicides Atrazine and Simazine, which is a preliminary step in judging whether the chemical will continue to be available for agricultural producers. MFB met with industry partners and collaborated on comments from our organization and our members and sent them to EPA by the October 5 deadline. In addition to sharing with EPA, MFB communicated concerns to Congress throughout the process. MFB believes that the draft assessment by EPA did not rely on the best available science and would significantly impacted continued availability of these herbicides to farmers if left unchallenged.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. SENATE, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
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 HOU
16. Specific lobbying issues
Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) is working with members of the House and Senate on seeing a legislative change that would allow H-2A visa guest workers to have the option of staying in farm housing financed under the Section 514 federal housing program administered under USDA. Currently theses agricultural workers are not eligible. MFB believes farmers have exhausted options to employ domestic workers that would utilize the housing and would like to use the empty houses to make available for H-2A.
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.
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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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 |