TEXAS FARM BUREAU for TEXAS FARM BUREAU
What was lobbied
8 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 issue with China on aluminum and steel. TFB relayed to legislators that we are monitoring the trade issue and want to make sure the trade talks with China do not negatively impact farmers and ranchers.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| LARAMIE ADAMS | — |
| REGAN BECK | — |
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 | — |
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 has stressed concerns with the ELD mandate to leaders of Congress and continues working toward a solution. TFB supports multiple pieces of legislation to address the ELD mandate and Hours of Service issue with hauling livestock and commodities.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| LARAMIE ADAMS | — |
| REGAN BECK | — |
| BILLY HOWE | — |
Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX
TFB supported the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. TFB believes in fair and equitable tax reform that would lower the effective tax rates. TFB believes a full repeal of burdensome estate taxes while keeping the stepped-up basis is paramount to any tax reform package. TFB advocated for tax reform that will reduce capital gains taxes, provide immediate expensing of business inputs and keep the deduction for interest expense. TFB also supports the continuation of cash accounting and like-kind exchanges.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| LARAMIE ADAMS | — |
| REGAN BECK | — |
| BILLY HOWE | — |
Budget/Appropriations BUD
TFB supported the 2018 Omnibus passed by Congress because it included provisions for agriculture. TFB actively engaged in passage of the bill because it included more funding for cattle fever tick research. It also included provisions TFB supports such as language to address livestock producers issues with the Electronic Logging Device issue until September 30.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| LARAMIE ADAMS | — |
| REGAN BECK | — |
| BILLY HOWE | — |
Environment/Superfund ENV
TFB supports the S. 2421, the FARM Act in the Senate and H.R. 5275, the ACRE Act in the House to provide relief from new reporting rules in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). The House and Senate legislation would return us to the 2008 CERCLA reporting requirements essentially exempting ag/livestock producers from reporting. TFB supported H.R. 5, the Regulatory Accountability Act to solve the problem of overreaching, ill-considered government regulations that negatively impact farmers and ranchers. TFB advocated for the legislation which requires agencies to choose the lowest-cost rulemaking alternative that meets statutory objectives and requires greater opportunity for public input and vetting of critical information for rules passed by agencies. TFB supported an amendment by Rep. Collin Peterson to prohibit agencies from impartially communicating with the public in order to generate support or opposition to a proposed rule. TFB supports the passage and enactment of H.R. 953, the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act, and S. 340, the Sensible Environmental Protection Act (SEPA) which would clarify Congressional intent regarding regulation of the use of pesticides in or near navigable waters. TFB corresponded with Members of Congress to express support for reducing duplicative and needless regulations on pesticide applicators used by agricultural producers.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| LARAMIE ADAMS | — |
| BILLY HOWE | — |
Government Issues GOV
TFB supports H.R. 5226, the Regulatory Integrity Act which would provide much needed transparency in the rulemaking process used by federal agencies. It would require agencies to post basic information, beyond what is provided in the Federal Register, about communications on pending regulatory actions and prevent agencies from soliciting support for a proposed regulation.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| LARAMIE ADAMS | — |
Immigration IMM
TFB supported the Securing Americas Future (SAF) Act because it includes Chairman Bob Goodlattes Agriculture Guestworker Act, which would create a new agricultural guest worker program for farmers and ranchers. Agriculture operations are very labor intensive, and a domestic work-force willing to fulfill the workload is not available. Agriculture producers are often required to hire foreign workers to complete these tasks. Without adequate procedures in place for producers to secure workers in a timely manner, producers are at risk of losing perishable crops. Texas Farm Bureau is seeking comprehensive reform to US immigration and border security.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| LARAMIE ADAMS | — |
| REGAN BECK | — |
| BILLY HOWE | — |
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.