HAULS Act of 2020

Monitored new EPA restrictions on the use of paraquat. Continued advocacy/outreach efforts with Congress in an ongoing effort to position the industrys requests for assistance in any final COVID relief package. Continued advocacy with Congress to get additional funding included for WHIP+ disaster program and to extend WHIP+ coverage to the 2020 crop losses. Provided comments on the proposed rule of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) entitled Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for Designating Critical Habitat. Joined numerous other agriculture organizations on a letter to Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) in support of her bill, Haulers of Agriculture and Livestock Safety (HAULS) Act of 2020 (S. 4720). Submitted comments to EPA regarding a pesticide petition filed under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requesting tolerances for residues of Isoxaflutole in or on cottonseed and cotton gin byproducts. Submitted comments to EPA on the draft human health and environmental safety risk assessments for registration review of dimethenamid/dimethenamid-P, a group 15 herbicides registered for multiple crops including cotton. Signed onto a letter with 11 other organizations to the director of the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) requesting a more predictable and long-term contracting process with U.S. companies that manufacture textiles, apparel, and footwear for the U.S. military and other government agencies. Joined numerous agricultural organizations on joint comments to the U.S. Department of Transportations Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Notice of Proposed Pilot Program that would create a pilot program to allow truck drivers aged 18-20 to drive across state lines. Filed comments with EPA regarding the agency's latest resistance management proposal - the Draft Proposal to Improve Lepidopteran Resistance Management. Joined more than 110 other organizations representing farmers, lenders and businesses of all sizes on a letter to House and Senate leadership urging them to immediately address the overburdensome Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) forgiveness process before years end. Responded to USDAs request for recommendations of the most innovative technologies, practices, and management tools that can be readily deployed through one or more USDA programs Filed comments with USDA-APHIS Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) and agreed that APHIS had abundantly evaluated MON 88702 in the Plant Pest Risk Assessment and the separate Environmental Risk Assessment supporting the conclusion of no likely risk. Joined a letter to House and Senate leadership specifically regarding the tax implications of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Joined 95 other organizations on a letter to House and Senate leadership to urge swift action in this Congress to enact legislation which would allow businesses to access a second PPP loan with tax deductibility and streamlined forgiveness. Worked closely with the National Council of Textile Organizations, American Apparel and Footwear Association, and other textile industry groups in support of important changes to the NDAA. Joined numerous other agricultural groups on a letter to House and Senate leadership regarding important provisions included in the Water Resources Development Act of 2020. Filed comments with EPA regarding its proposed rule, Pesticides: Exemptions of Certain Plant-Incorporated Protectants (PIPs). Joined with 27 other organizations on a letter to EPA regarding proposed rule, Pesticides: Exemptions of Certain Plant-Incorporated Protectants (PIPs). Discussed issues regarding ELS price reporting with USDAs Agricultural Marketing Service Discussed issue of abnormal increase in Seed Coat Fragments with USDA-AMSs Cotton and Tobacco Grading Program

Client expense: $322,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Defense Logistics Agency, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor, Dept of (DOL), Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Risk Management Agency, SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Surface Transportation Board (STB), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office