AGRICULTURAL RETAILERS ASSOCIATION for AGRICULTURAL RETAILERS ASSOCIATION
What was lobbied
8 issue areas, each in the filer's own words, with who lobbied on it and where.
Trade (domestic/foreign) TRD
Supports efforts to eliminate anti-dumping duty orders and other trade restrictions on solid urea and ammonium nitrate fertilizers from Russia and Ukraine. Suppoprts HR 443 and HR 445. Opposes EPA own-use pilot program related to pesticide harmonization with Canada. Supports fair WTO agreement for agriculture.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JACK EBERSPACHER | — |
| RICHARD GUPTON | — |
| JONATHAN SAMSON | — |
| CARMEN STACY | — |
| JIM THRIFT | — |
Agriculture AGR
Support reforms of the Technical Service Provider (TSP) program included in House & Senate passed farm bills (HR 2419/6124) - direct contracting between USDA-NRCS and TSP; prevailing market rates for TSP. Also, support cost-share payment for Ag retailers that purchase precision ag equipment. Oppose EQIP funding to build end user bulk chemical storage. Participated in coalition to reform Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Supported grant program in House & Senate farm bills (HR 2419/6124) 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. Supports 25 x 25 Ag Energy Coalition efforts to promote use of renewable fuels. Supports sustaining the Hours of Service Agricultural Exemption at 100 air miles. ARA supports the USDA NASS reporting of data for agricultural chemical use.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JACK EBERSPACHER | — |
| RICHARD GUPTON | — |
| JONATHAN SAMSON | — |
| CARMEN STACY | — |
| JIM THRIFT | — |
Transportation TRA
Worked with PHMSA on transportation safety, driver documentation and security issues. Supports HR 1079, the Professional Drivers Background Efficiency Act of 2007. 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. Supports sustaining the Hours of Service Agricultural Exemption air mile radius of 100. Worked with House Small Business Committee and Surface Transportation Board (STB) on reforming the STB and providing more oversight of the railroads. Opposed efforts to remove railroads common carrier obligation.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JACK EBERSPACHER | — |
| RICHARD GUPTON | — |
| JONATHAN SAMSON | — |
| CARMEN STACY | — |
| JIM THRIFT | — |
Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX
Supported passage of the Agricultural Business Security Tax Credit Act of 2007 (S 551 / HR 1814). Supported passage of Agricultural Chemicals Security Credit provision (Section 12405) included in the Food, Conservation and Energy Act (HR 6124). Supports effort to reform and / or repeal federal estate tax. Supports additional tax reform such as accelerating depreciation for agricultural equipment used by agricultural operations. Support extension of President Bush's 2001 and 2003 tax cuts.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JACK EBERSPACHER | — |
| RICHARD GUPTON | — |
| JONATHAN SAMSON | — |
| CARMEN STACY | — |
| JIM THRIFT | — |
Environment/Superfund ENV
Supported EPA's revisions to the SPCC rules, supported EPA's mandate to have federal recycling rules for recycling empty one-way plastic containers; assisted EPA with the new proposal on a web based labeling system for section 3 pesticide registered products. Supports modifications to EPA's Spill, Prevention, Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) rules. Worked with Oceans 21 Coalition to promote a rewriting of HR 21 and oppose the bill as currently written. Worked with ag coalition on climate change legislation (S. 3036). The coalition worked to educate members of Congress and their staff on agricultural offsets, suggest proposed amendments such as the Stabenow amendment and worked to add language that considered natural gas prices rise due to any proposed climate change legislation. Raised concern over natural gas price increases and fertilizer price increases under a cap and trade program. Opposed green house gas (GHG) emission regulation under the Clean Air Act. Oppose efforts to expand 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. Worked to oppose parts of the RED for chloropicrin.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JACK EBERSPACHER | — |
| RICHARD GUPTON | — |
| JONATHAN SAMSON | — |
| CARMEN STACY | — |
| JIM THRIFT | — |
Chemicals/Chemical Industry CHM
Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2008 (HR 5577). Opposed Inherently Safer Technology (IST) mandate; Support federal preemption and stronger information protection. Oppose ability for citizen suits / third party lawsuits. Serve on DHS Chemical Sector Coordinating Council providing input on Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) rules.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JACK EBERSPACHER | — |
| RICHARD GUPTON | — |
| JONATHAN SAMSON | — |
| CARMEN STACY | — |
| JIM THRIFT | — |
Energy/Nuclear ENG
Supports legislation for more oversight of over-the-counter energy trade by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) - S 577, S 2058, HR 594, HR 3009. Support the Commodity Futures Trading Commission Reauthorization provisions included in the Senate-passed farm bill (HR 2419). 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 chemical Support U.S. Department of Interior's efforts to expand access to offshore domestic energy resources. Coalition member of the Energy Markets Oversight Coalition and supports "Close the Enron Loophole" effort. Coalition member of Stop Oil Speculation Now. Support exploration of oil and natural gas in ANWR as well as increased production of oil shale. Supports efforts in Congress for increased investigation and oversight of excessive energy speculation in the futures markets.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JACK EBERSPACHER | — |
| RICHARD GUPTON | — |
| JONATHAN SAMSON | — |
| CARMEN STACY | — |
| JIM THRIFT | — |
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. Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2008 (HR 5577) - opposed Inherently Safer Technology (IST mandate); support federal preemption of DHS CFATS rules and stronger information protection; oppose citizen suits / third party lawsuits. Raised questions / concerns with DHS "No Match" rules regarding immigration enforcement and potential impact on agricultural business operations.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| JACK EBERSPACHER | — |
| RICHARD GUPTON | — |
| JONATHAN SAMSON | — |
| CARMEN STACY | — |
| JIM THRIFT | — |
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.