TEXAS FARM BUREAU for TEXAS FARM BUREAU
What was lobbied
6 issue areas, each in the filer's own words, with who lobbied on it and where.
Trade (domestic/foreign) TRD
TFB supports increased access to foreign markets for agricultural products through international trade. TFB supports the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and updates to the agreement that would provide progress. TFB opposes any major changes to NAFTA that could negatively impact the U.S. agricultural trade relationships with Mexico and Canada. TFB weighed in on the Trump Administrations trade tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico and retaliatory tariffs. TFB relayed to legislators that we are monitoring the trade issue and want to make sure the trade issues with China, Canada and Mexico do not negatively impact farmers and ranchers. However, TFB does believe in making other countries abide by the same standards as the U.S. in current trade pacts.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| LARAMIE ADAMS | — |
| REGAN BECK | — |
| BILLY HOWE | — |
Agriculture AGR
TFB supports H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 and S. 3042 the Agriculture Improvement Act. It provides adequate crop insurance for all major commodities and other programs benefiting agriculture production. TFB opposes further cuts to the federal crop insurance program or to Title I commodity programs. TFB urged Congressional leaders to take swift action on the cattle fever tick issue facing ranchers and landowners in the southern region of Texas. TFB advocated for additional funding to help provide adequate resources to combat the problems TFB members are facing due to the fever tick. TFB worked to include an amendment in the Senate farm bill to allow producers to use ELAP for gathering for inspection of cattle.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| LARAMIE ADAMS | — |
| REGAN BECK | — |
| BILLY HOWE | — |
Environment/Superfund ENV
TFB supports administrative changes to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) which will make it more workable for private landowners. TFB has visited with Congressional leaders about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries proposed revisions to portions of their regulations that implement key sections of the ESA. TFB is continuing to monitor proposed changes and keeping Congressional members and staff updated.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| LARAMIE ADAMS | — |
| REGAN BECK | — |
| BILLY HOWE | — |
Immigration IMM
TFB supported the H.R. 4760, the AG and Legal Workforce Act because it includes Chairman Bob Goodlattes Agriculture Guestworker Act, which would create a new agricultural guest worker program for farmers and ranchers. Texas Farm Bureau is seeking comprehensive reform our agricultural guest worker program, known as H-2A. Without adequate procedures in place for producers to secure workers in a timely manner, producers are at risk of losing perishable crops.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| LARAMIE ADAMS | — |
Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX
TFB supports H.R. 6760, Protecting Family and Small Business Tax Cuts Act of 2018., a bill that would make tax reform provisions important to farmers and ranchers a permanent part of the tax code. Tax reform is a top priority for TFB and making provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent is important to TFB members.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| LARAMIE ADAMS | — |
Transportation TRA
TFB supports any relief that can be provided from Congress on the Electronic Logging Device mandate that was implemented in December 2017. TFB supported another year long delay of ELD implementation for livestock and insects in a continuing resolution that was passed in September 2018. TFB continues supporting provisions and legislation to exempt all agricultural industries.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| LARAMIE ADAMS | — |
| REGAN BECK | — |
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.