BIFMA INTERNATIONAL for BIFMA
What was lobbied
3 issue areas, each in the filer's own words, with who lobbied on it and where.
Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX
BIFMA signed a Feb. 28, 2012 group letter from the Coalition for Interstate Tax Fairness & Job Growth to Speaker Boehner and Minority Leader Pelosi in support of the Business Activity Tax Simplification Act (H.R. 1439). The coalition is working for enactment of the "BATSA bill" to assure fair state and local corporate income taxation of today's mobile workforce.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| BRADLEY PETER MILLER | — |
Environment/Superfund ENV
Participated in Jan. 20, 2012 session on the federal government's development of recommended guidelines to help federal acquisition staff decide on environmental standards and eco-labels for use in the federal procurement process. The Section 13 Inter-agency Product Standards and Eco-labels Sub-Working Group (includes EPA representatives) received input on how a draft set of recommended guidelines and possible implementation strategies should be released. BIFMA supported publication of the plan in the Federal Register. Participated in Feb. 3, 2012 briefing by Nancy Gillis, Director of GSAs Federal Supply Chain Emissions Program Management Office (PMO) regarding future contractor greenhouse gas (GHG) requirements including data systems for capturing vendor GHG emissions, the business case for GHG reporting, and future communication plans for government and industry. BIFMA offered to assist the agency in coming up with workable requirements. Participated in EPA Design for the Environment Phthalates Alternatives Committee (Feb. 15 & March 26) exploring alternatives that may be used as substitutes. BIFMA, and several of the association's members, are stakeholders on this committee. Participated in a March 27, 2012 listening session, hosted by the U.S. EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, on Sustainability and the U.S. EPA, a report prepared by The National Research Council. BIFMA supports EPA collaboration with other agencies and the private sector to establish criteria for which standards and eco-labels should be recognized by the Federal Government. Attended a March 30, 2012 White House Council on Environmental Quality and Office of Public Engagement roundtable conversation entitled, Executing a Sustainable Supply Chain Community of Practice. BIFMA is one of several stakeholders from the federal, private, association and academic sectors assisting the federal government in defining what constitutes a sustainable supplier and sustainable supply chain. The ANSI/BIFMA e3 Furniture Sustainability Standard is one such tool for the assessment of products, facilities, and corporate policies.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| BRADLEY PETER MILLER | — |
Government Issues GOV
Participated in February 16, 2012 session with Rep. Bill Huizenga to discuss his bipartisan legislation, H.R. 3634, the "Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act of 2011". H.R. 3634, was introduced in December and is currently pending before the House Judiciary Committee. BIFMA supports this common sense reform proposal. Met with Greg Van Woerkom, District Director, and John Kran, Legislative Assistant for Rep. Bill Huizenga at BIFMA's office in Grand Rapids, MI on Feb. 20, 2012 to discuss H.R. 3634, the "Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act of 2011", and other issues of interest to BIFMA including government recognition of ANSI/BIFMA e3 Furniture Sustainability Standard, the industry's tool for assessment of green products, facilities, and corporate policies. Visited GSA's Integrated Workplace Acquisition Center (IWACenter) on March 21, 2012 to discuss BIFMA recommendations for changes to the General Specification for Furniture Systems FCNE 87-441E of December 11, 2008. Attended March 21, 2012 GSA/IWACenter Quality Partnership Council meeting to hear industry issues and a panel on sustainability. Spoke with Brennan Conaway of GSA about the timeframe for publishing the Section 13 Inter-agency Product Standards and Eco-labels Sub-Working Group report and proposed criteria. The target date was April 2012 but he said it will probably be extended to May 2012.
| Lobbyist | Covered position, as disclosed |
|---|---|
| BRADLEY PETER MILLER | — |
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.