AGRICULTURAL RETAILERS ASSOCIATION for AGRICULTURAL RETAILERS ASSOCIATION
What was lobbied
12 issue areas, each in the filer's own words, with who lobbied on it and where.
Trade (domestic/foreign) TRD
Support efforts to eliminate anti-dumping duty orders and other trade restrictions on solid urea and ammonium nitrate fertilizers from Russia and Ukraine. Support fair WTO agreement for agriculture.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| DAREN COPPOCK New | — |
| RICHARD GUPTON | — |
| JONATHAN SAMSON | — |
| CARMEN STACY | — |
Agriculture AGR
Support Technical Service Provider (TSP) & Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) reform - direct contracting between USDA-NRCS and third-party TSPs; and prevailing local market rates for third-party TSPs. Support cost-share payment for Ag retailers that purchase precision ag technologies throught the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Oppose EQIP funding to build end user bulk chemical storage and load pads. Participate in coalition to reform Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Support funding for USDA anti-meth grant program to help Ag retailers partially cover costs of tank locks and additives for anhydrous ammonia to prevent use by drug dealers in the production of meth. Support sustaining the Hours of Service Agricultural Exemption at 100 air miles. Support fair and reasonable competition in the ag industry. Support approval of RoundupReady Alfalfa. Worked with USDA, FMCSA and members of Congress to clarify Congressional intent of the HOS Ag exemption as it relates movement of farm supplies from a terminal to a retail facility.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| DAREN COPPOCK New | — |
| RICHARD GUPTON | — |
| JONATHAN SAMSON | — |
| CARMEN STACY | — |
Transportation TRA
Work with PHMSA on transportation safety, driver documentation and security issues. Coalition member of the Ag Transportation Working Group - supports reform of railroad practices related to rates, competition, new rail tank car design and deliveries of shipments. Support sustaining the Hours of Service Agricultural Exemption air mile radius of 100. Support maintaining railroads common carrier obligation and liability for TIH materials. Work with House Small Business Committee and Surface Transportation Board (STB) on reforming the STB and providing more oversight of the railroads. Oppose efforts to remove railroads common carrier obligation. Worked with DOT's PHMSA and FMCSA to support mandatory anhydrous ammonia nurse tank testing and clinics. Oppose the Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) tax as a way to fund the federal highway system Support federal preemption on the transportation of HAZMAT. Support "Safe Truckers Act", which streamlines the credentialing for HAZMAT drivers. Worked with FMCSA, USDA and members of Congress to clarify Congressional intent of the HOS Ag exemption as it relates movement of farm supplies from a terminal to a retail facility.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| DAREN COPPOCK New | — |
| RICHARD GUPTON | — |
| JONATHAN SAMSON | — |
| CARMEN STACY | — |
Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX
Support effort to repeal federal estate tax or at a minimum set rate to 35% and increase the exemption cap to $5 million per person / spouse, ensuring exemption is indexed to inflation, provide for spousal transfers and include the stepped up basis. Support additional tax reform such as accelerating depreciation for agricultural equipment used by agricultural operations. Support permanent extension of 2001 and 2003 tax cuts. Support extension of Agricultural Chemicals Security Tax Credit.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| DAREN COPPOCK New | — |
| RICHARD GUPTON | — |
| JONATHAN SAMSON | — |
| CARMEN STACY | — |
Retirement RET
Pension issues - Support pension funding relief to ensure companies are not restricted from retaining employees due to pension funding obligations.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| DAREN COPPOCK New | — |
| RICHARD GUPTON | — |
| JONATHAN SAMSON | — |
| CARMEN STACY | — |
Environment/Superfund ENV
Assisting EPA with the new proposal on a web based labeling system for section 3 pesticide registered products. Support modifications to EPA's Spill, Prevention, Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) rules. Working with Oceans 21 Coalition to promote a rewriting of HR 21 and oppose the bill as currently written. Assist EPA with information on the pesticide container and containment rule. Educate members of Congress and their staff on the effects climate change legislation will have on farm inputs and rise in natural gas prices due to climate change proposals. Oppose HR 2454 - The American Clean Energy and Security Act Oppose green house gas (GHG) emission regulation under the Clean Air Act. Oppose S. 787 - expands the definition of "navigable" water. Support efforts to reform the Endangered Species Act. Member of the EPA's Pesticide Policy Dialogue Committee, the committee reviews a wide range of EPA programs including pesticide registrations, registration procedures, spray drift mitigation, water pollution, labeling concepts, and other areas. The PPDC and its mission and its members are reported in the fed reg. Working with EPA to define the definition of oil under the SPCC. Work with EPA in defining the scope of inert ingredient regulation. Oppose EPA's draft PR Notice on Spray Drift Labeling and Guidance. Oppose regulatory course particulate matter through Clean Air Act NAAQS. Worked with EPA to guide them in the development of NPDES permits for aquatic pesticide applications Oppose prescribed quantitative fertilizer use in the Chesapeake Bay to control TMDLs Worked with Congress to exempt FIFRA-compliant pesticide applications from the Clean Water Act. Support continued use and registration of atrazine by the EPA, which is a beneficial and safe herbicide for use by the agricultural industry that has undergone years of extensive scientific review by the agency.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| DAREN COPPOCK New | — |
| RICHARD GUPTON | — |
| JONATHAN SAMSON | — |
| CARMEN STACY | — |
Chemicals/Chemical Industry CHM
Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009 - (HR 2868): Oppose Inherently Safer Technology (IST) mandate; Support federal preemption and stronger information protection. Oppose ability for citizen suits / third party lawsuits. Support Alternative SVAs. Serve on DHS Chemical Sector Coordinating Council providing input on Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) rules. Support permanent authorization of CFATS rules. Support S. 2996 and HR 2477, extension of current CFATS rules.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| DAREN COPPOCK New | — |
| RICHARD GUPTON | — |
| JONATHAN SAMSON | — |
| CARMEN STACY | — |
Energy/Nuclear ENG
Support legislation for more transparency of over-the-counter (OTC) trades and additional oversight given to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) - Peterson Amendment to HR 3795. Coalition members of Ag Energy Alliance, which supports increased domestic exploration and production of natural gas and oil and oppose efforts to limit production as it hurts domestic manufacture of fertilizer and ag chemicals. Support efforts to encourage the U.S. Department of Interior to expand access to offshore domestic energy resources as well as on federal lands. And support permanently removing the moratorium on drilling for oil and gas in the outer continental shelf. Coalition member of the Commodity Markets Oversight Coalition. Coalition member of Stop Oil Speculation Now. Supports 25 x 25 Ag Energy Coalition efforts to promote use of renewable fuels.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| DAREN COPPOCK New | — |
| RICHARD GUPTON | — |
| JONATHAN SAMSON | — |
| CARMEN STACY | — |
Immigration IMM
E-Verify - Support mandatory use of E-Verify for contractors of the government Support a fair and efficient method to verify the legality of employees
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| DAREN COPPOCK New | — |
| RICHARD GUPTON | — |
| JONATHAN SAMSON | — |
| CARMEN STACY | — |
Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace LBR
Oppose the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) or so-called card check bill (S. 560, H.R. 1409). Oppose denying workers their right to a secret ballot when deciding whether to be represented by a unions. Raised concerns on new OSHA proposal regarding record keeping and reporting requirements related to MSD injuries.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| DAREN COPPOCK New | — |
| RICHARD GUPTON | — |
| JONATHAN SAMSON | — |
| CARMEN STACY | — |
Health Issues HCR
Support fair and reasonable healthcare Oppose burdensome healthcare costs to small businesses (ag retailers/distributors, farmers) Opposed HR 3590, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, legislation that increases federal mandates and costs on businesses.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| DAREN COPPOCK New | — |
| RICHARD GUPTON | — |
| JONATHAN SAMSON | — |
| CARMEN STACY | — |
Homeland Security HOM
Serve on DHS Chemical Sector Coordinating Council providing input on implementation of Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS). Participated in Food & Ag Coordinating Council. Assist DHS with the Farm Operations security rule. Oppose Inherently Safer Technology (IST) mandate - legislation; support federal preemption of DHS CFATS rules & stronger information protection; oppose citizen suits; support Alternative SVA; support CFATS permanent rule. Oppose HR 2868 - Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009 Support HR 2477 - Chemical Facility Security Authorization Act of 2009 Support S. 2996 - Continuing Chemical Facilities Antiterrorism Security Act of 2010 Support removal of fuels from being listed on Appendix A:Chemicals of Interest.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| DAREN COPPOCK New | — |
| RICHARD GUPTON | — |
| JONATHAN SAMSON | — |
| CARMEN STACY | — |
Shown as published by the Senate Office of Public Records and the House Clerk under the Lobbying Disclosure Act. The official filing is the record; open it for the full form.