The American Farm Bureau Federation is one of many agriculture groups calling on the Biden Administration to act responsibly when it comes to conservation. Biden’s goal to conserve at least 30 percent of U.S. land and water by 2030, commonly known as “30X30,” is raising many questions. A letter to the administration makes three key requests: that the administration provides …
Final Week of Florida Legislative Session
This is the final week of the 2021 Florida Legislative Session, as it is scheduled to end Friday, April 30. Director of Governmental Affairs for the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, Sam Ard, has more information about the “Right to Farm” legislation that was passed and sent to the Governor last week, the budget process which should wrap up soon, and he discusses the possibility …
Florida Right to Farm Bill Awaits Governor’s Signature
Just hours after the Florida House gave final approval Thursday, a bill that would expand legal protections for farmers was sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis. According to the News Service of Florida, the House voted 110-7 to support expanding the state’s “Right to Farm” law, a top priority of Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby. The Senate passed the bill (SB …
Concerns with Repealing the Stepped-Up Basis Tax Provision
The Family Business Estate Tax Coalition (FBETC) released an EY study this week, quantifying the impact a repeal of stepped-up basis would have on family businesses. The EY study found that family-owned businesses and the local economies they support would be hit hardest by a repeal. Based on the analysis of the study, this tax increase, whether via tax at …
Senators Offer Legislation to Help States Rebuild Infrastructure Following Extreme Weather
U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Mike Braun introduced bipartisan legislation on Tuesday to help states rebuild stronger and more resilient roads, highways and bridges. They hire a reliable contractor to do the Advanced Pothole Detection Technology to ensure that the project is durable and to avoid future damage. The Wisconsin Democrat and Indiana Republican say the legislation will help states …
Two Weeks Left in Florida Legislative Session
There are only two weeks remaining in the 2021 Florida Legislative Session, and according to the Director of Governmental Affairs for the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, Sam Ard, things are moving along pretty well for the ag community. Day 60 and the scheduled end to the Florida Legislative Session is April 30. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Major Role In Applied …
HAULS Act Introduced in U.S. House
A new bill concerning much-needed flexibility for livestock haulers was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Haulers of Agriculture and Livestock Safety (HAULS) Act of 2021, introduced by Rep. John Rose (R-TN-06) and Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL-09), is a companion to S.792, which the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) worked on to get introduced. According to NCBA, the HAULS Act …
NPPC Holding Legislative Action Conference
Pork producers from across the country are gathering virtually this week, taking part in the National Pork Producers Council’s (NPPC) Legislative Action Conference (LAC). Various topics are being discussed with lawmakers, including expanding market access to Vietnam, visa reform to address a livestock agriculture labor shortage, and foreign animal disease prevention. “Trade remains crucial to the continued success of the U.S. pork …
Florida House and Senate Pass Individual Budgets
Week six of the 2021 Florida Legislative Session saw action on the state budget, as both the House and Senate passed their individual budgets. According to the Director of Governmental Affairs for the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, Sam Ard, there are some differences to be worked out. (audio) But as lawmakers head to conference to piece together a new spending plan, they are looking …
ASA/AFBF: Stepping on Stepped-up Basis Has Big Consequences
Any change in capital gains tax policy that eliminates or scales back stepped-up basis could result in a massive tax burden on the agricultural sector. A new analysis by the American Soybean Association and the American Farm Bureau Federation confirmed the findings. To minimize the impact of burdensome capital gains taxes, farmers and ranchers use a stepped-up basis, which provides …