Alabama Farmers Federation

Agricultural Membership Organization

P. O. Box 11000 2108 East South Boulevard Montgomery, AL 36191-0001

USA

COMMUNICATIONS/BROADCASTING/RADIO/TV BUDGET/APPROPRIATIONS TRADE (DOMESTIC/FOREIGN) AGRICULTURE

Supported H.R. 2682, the Agricultural News and Rural Television Content Protection Act.

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Advocated for supplemental disaster funding in response to Hurricane Michael, as well as Tropical Storms Cindy and Gordan, and losses from excessive rainfall Asked Senate and House members to sign letter of support for funding of block grant submitted through the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries for disaster recovery as authorized in Public Law No: 116-20 Supported continuing funding of Cogongrass control funding in FY20 Agricultural appropriations bill Supported continued funding of PL-566 Watershed Program through NRCS in FY20 Agricultural appropriation bill

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Support for ratifying USMCA Discussed impact of Chinese tariffs on agricultural exports Support for including hardwood lumber in any future trade mitigation programs developed bu USDA

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Expressed support for continued Market Facilitation Program payments until retaliatory tariffs by China are lifted Expressed support for bird depredation and disease losses of farm-raised food fish to be covered under ELAP

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Lobbyists:

WALKER, MITT

Foreign Entities:

Foreign Entity Name:
Interel, SA/NV
Country :
BELGIUM
Contribution :
$0

TAXATION/INTERNAL REVENUE CODE BUDGET/APPROPRIATIONS TRADE (DOMESTIC/FOREIGN) TRANSPORTATION FOOD INDUSTRY (SAFETY, LABELING, ETC.) FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS/INVESTMENTS/SECURITIES ANIMALS AGRICULTURE

Opposed using early expiration of estate tax exemption levels to provide extension of other expiring tax provisions Supported S. 215, The Death Tax Repeal Act of 2019 Supported H.R. 218, The Death Tax Repeal Act S. 172, the Health Insurance Tax Relief Act of 2019 H.R. 1398, the Health Insurance Tax Relief Act of 2019

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Support for H.R. 268, H.R. 2157, S. 572, all related to Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Advocated for supplemental disaster funding in response to Hurricane Michael, as well as Tropical Storms Cindy and Gordon, and losses from excessive rainfall Supported language in appropriations bill to continue withholding funds for enforcing Electronic Logging Devices, particularly for those hauling livestock, insects, fish, or perishable commodities

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Support for ratifying USMCA Discussed impact of Chinese tariffs on agricultural exports

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Supported S. 600, the Modernizing Agricultural Transportation Act (Senate) Supported H.R. 1374, the Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy Act or the DRIVE-Safe Act (House) Supported S. 2025 and H.R. 1673, the Agricultural Trucking Relief Act

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Opposed Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption (PRIME) Act of 2019, dealing with the sale of state-inspected meat products

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Supported Family Farmer Relief Act of 2019 dealing with Chapter 12 family farm bankruptcies

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Opposed H.R. 693, Prevent All Soring Tactics Act of 2019 (PAST Act)

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Expressed support for continued Market Facilitation Program payments until retaliatory tariffs by China are lifted Offered suggestions for the design of the feral swine control pilot program authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill

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Lobbyists:

WALKER, MITT

BUDGET/APPROPRIATIONS TRANSPORTATION LABOR ISSUES/ANTITRUST/WORKPLACE ANIMALS FOOD INDUSTRY (SAFETY, LABELING, ETC.) TRADE (DOMESTIC/FOREIGN) CLEAN AIR AND WATER (QUALITY) AGRICULTURE

Supported funding for control of cogongrass Supported funding for PL-566, The Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (PL-566) and agricultural irrigation projects through the program Requested funding for all sectors of agriculture in response to COVID-19, specifically in increase on the borrowing authority of the Commodity Credit Corporation to $50 billion Supported funding for USDA research programs including: Hatch Act Smith Lever Funds Evans-Allen Program 1890 Institutions Extension Services McIntire-Stennis Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI)

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Discussed FMSCA portal access issues for the reporting of drug test failures Discussed BUILD Grant Program with congressional staff

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Discussed H.R. 6083, To create a nonimmigrant H-2C work visa program for agricultural workers, to make mandatory and permanent requirements relating to use of an electronic employment eligibility verification system, and for other purposes Discussed processing of H-2A visa applications in response to delays related to COVID-19, and offering flexibility in the program to help farmers fill labor needs

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Provided comments to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in support of the re-establishment of a national aquaculture depredation order for the control of double-crested cormorants in response to their request for comments (FWS-HQ-MB-2019-0103)

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Expressed opposition to H.R. 961, the Safeguard American Food Exports Act of 2019

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Supported Senate passage of USMCA enacting legislation

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Expressed support to congressional offices for the Navigable Waters Protection Rule

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Expressed support for H.R. 4820, the Seeding Rural Resilience Act Expressed support for H.R. 4482, the Protecting America's Food and Agriculture Act of 2019 Discussed Livestock Forage Program payments with Congressional Staff and USDA staff Provided recommendations to serve on the National Peanut Board Provided comments in response to USDAs Agricultural Marketing Services request for comments on Undue and Unreasonable Preferences and Advantages Under the Packers & Stockyards Act (AMS-FTTP-18-0101)

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Lobbyists:

WALKER, MITT

Foreign Entities:

Foreign Entity Name:
LSG Lufthansa Service Holding AG
Country :
GERMANY
Contribution :
$0

AGRICULTURE BUDGET/APPROPRIATIONS INSURANCE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS/INVESTMENTS/SECURITIES TRADE (DOMESTIC/FOREIGN) TAXATION/INTERNAL REVENUE CODE

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.

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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

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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.

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Encouraged House members to sign letter opposing a proposed rule by the Small Business Administration excluding poultry houses from being eligible for SBA loans

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Discussed tariff impacts on agricultural commodities

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Supported the repeal or delay of the Heath Insurance Tax (HIT); S. 3063 and H.R. 5963

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Lobbyists:

WALKER, MITT

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS/INVESTMENTS/SECURITIES AGRICULTURE FOOD INDUSTRY (SAFETY, LABELING, ETC.) TAXATION/INTERNAL REVENUE CODE TRANSPORTATION CLEAN AIR AND WATER (QUALITY) TRADE (DOMESTIC/FOREIGN) BUDGET/APPROPRIATIONS

Supported Family Farmer Relief Act of 2019 dealing with Chapter 12 family farm bankruptcies

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Expressed support for continued Market Facilitation Program payments until retaliatory tariffs by China are lifted

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Submitted comments to EPA relative to treated seed (EPA-HQ-OPP-2018-0805-0001) and supporting the agencies current interpretation of the Treated Article Exemption (40 CFR 152.25)

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Supported S. 215, The Death Tax Repeal Act of 2019 Supported H.R. 218, The Death Tax Repeal Act S. 172, the Health Insurance Tax Relief Act of 2019 H.R. 1398, the Health Insurance Tax Relief Act of 2019

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Expressed support for S. 600, the Modernizing Agricultural Transportation Act

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Expressed support for new Clean Water Rule (EPA-HQ-OW-2018-0149)

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Expressed support for USMCA Discussed impact of Chinese tariffs on agricultural exports Signed letter to Secretary Ross requesting an immediate termination of the tomato suspension agreement and afford domestic producers and packers the right to complete an antidumping investigation that has remained in limbo under past suspension agreements

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Advocated for supplemental disaster funding in response to Hurricane Michael Supported language in appropriations bill to continue withholding funds for enforcing Electronic Logging Devices, particularly for those hauling livestock, insects, fish, or perishable commodities Supported language to include a returning worker exemption in the H-2B visa cap Supported H.R. 265, Agricultural Appropriations Act Supported H.R. 268, Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2019 Signed letter to Budget and Appropriations Committee Leadership opposing cuts to programs authorized by the farm bill

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Lobbyists:

WALKER, MITT

Foreign Entities:

Foreign Entity Name :
Booking Holdings Inc. (U.S. company, owner of Booking.com Holding B.V.)
Country :
USA
Contribution :
$20,000
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Foreign Entity Name :
Booking.com Holding B.V. (Owner of Booking.com Int'l Services B.V.)
Country :
NETHERLANDS
Contribution :
$0
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Foreign Entity Name :
Booking.com Int'l Services B.V. (Owner of Booking.com Consulting Services (USA) Inc.)
Country :
NETHERLANDS
Contribution :
$0
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INSURANCE FOOD INDUSTRY (SAFETY, LABELING, ETC.) TRADE (DOMESTIC/FOREIGN) BUDGET/APPROPRIATIONS

Expressed opposition to H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019

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Support for H.R. 4881, Real MEAT Act of 2019 Opposition to H.R. 961, The Safeguard American Food Exports Act of 2019

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Expressed support for Phase I if China Trade Agreement Expressed support for enacting legislation for USMCA

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Support for funding of the following in the FY2020 Appropriations Bill National Institute of Food and Agriculture Feral Swine Control Cogongrass Control Irrigation funding through NRCSs Watershed and Flood Prevention programs Disaster funding for agricultural damage resulting from weather events including excessive moisture and drought Expressed concern about the process of development of state block grants provided through H.R. 2157 Expressed support for Ag In the Classroom Funding in the FY2020 appropriations bill

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Lobbyists:

WALKER, MITT

Foreign Entities:

Foreign Entity Name :
Sanofi-Aventis SA
Country :

Contribution :
$0
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Foreign Entity Name :
Allergen plc
Country :

Contribution :
$0
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CLEAN AIR AND WATER (QUALITY) NATURAL RESOURCES TAXATION/INTERNAL REVENUE CODE TRADE (DOMESTIC/FOREIGN) LABOR ISSUES/ANTITRUST/WORKPLACE AVIATION/AIRLINES/AIRPORTS ANIMALS EDUCATION ENERGY/NUCLEAR BUDGET/APPROPRIATIONS AGRICULTURE COMMUNICATIONS/BROADCASTING/RADIO/TV FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS/INVESTMENTS/SECURITIES

farm bill implementation, agricultural trade, hours of service rules for truck drivers, clean water rule impact on agriculture, estate and other taxes impacting farmers, agricultural research funding, feral swine control, agricultural disaster aid, rural broadband funding, drone regulation, labeling (biotech and country of origin), agricultural labor and immigration,

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Lobbyists:

WALKER, MITT

Foreign Entities:

Foreign Entity Name:
NEC Corporation
Country :
JAPAN
Contribution :
$0