Bill Huffman
Director - Government Relations

The Friday Report

July 17, 2009

Health Care Reform

If you watch television you know that the nation is in a major debate about health care reform. Various committees of Congress (in both houses) continued their work this week to craft a health care reform bill with a goal of cobbling together a bill (that will pass) and have it approved by the August recess. The debate is contentious and the lobbying is intense. It is the number one priority of the Obama Administration. One can sense that something is going to happen; the major stumbling block seems to be “how to pay for it!”

This is going to be a monumental piece of legislation that will affect every American and probably every business. We expect leadership of the House and the Senate will move sometime next week to bring a bill to their respective chamber floor for a final vote the week of July 27th.

EPA Issues Proposed New Ozone Rule

In a proposed rule released July 14th, Federal EPA would require states to monitor rural ozone concentrations for the first time as well as expand existing monitoring systems for cities.  EPA’s rule would amend C.F.R. Part 58, updating minimum ozone-monitoring requirements to make them consistent with the new national ambient air quality standards for the pollutant. The proposed rule will be published in an upcoming edition of the Federal Register.

Climate Change Legislation

Bob Stallman, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation told the Senate Energy, Environment and Public Works Committee this week that the Federation opposes any caps on greenhouse gas emissions, fearing they will raise fuel prices and other production costs and hurt U.S. competitiveness if overseas competitors such as China and India fail to take similar action. Several commodity groups also oppose caps on greenhouse gas emissions as well as the legislation under development in the Senate and the bill passed last week by the House of Representatives. 

Next Wednesday, July 22nd, agriculture groups will have an opportunity to testify before the Senate Agriculture Committee at a hearing on the role of agriculture and forestry in climate legislation.

From our perspective, the fate of the Senate climate bill will likely hinge in part on whether or not Midwestern and Southern farm state Democrats will support the bill being developed by the Energy, Environment and Public Works Committee. Many observers believe climate change legislation won’t make it out of the Senate this year. If it does, it will be a close vote and only after members of the Senate Agriculture Committee are satisfied the bill is workable for agriculture and doesn’t impact the competitiveness and cost structure of our industry.

The Senate Names Chairmen for Agriculture Subcommittees

Some new names and new faces will lead several agriculture subcommittees of the U.S. Senate. Senator Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark,  was selected to be chair of the Rural Revitalization, Conservation, Forestry and Credit Subcommittee of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., will take the helm of the Domestic and Foreign Marketing, Inspection and Plant and Animal Health Subcommittee, Senator Debbie Stabenow, D-MI, will lead the Subcommittee on Energy, Science and Technology, Senator Robert Casey, D-Pa., will be chair of the Production, Income Protection and Price Support Subcommittee and Senator Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio will chair the Hunger, Nutrition and Family Farms Subcommittee.

California Rice Leadership Recognized

We are pleased to report that several California rice leaders have been recognized for their involvement and leadership at the national level in our industry. 

• Mike Sandrock recently was acknowledged and given a plaque for service the past two years as Chairman of the U.S. Rice Millers’ Association.  The presentation was made at the recent RMA convention in Florida. 
• Frank Rehermann, a Sutter and Butte County rice producer was named this week as Chairman of the U.S. Rice Producers’ Group, the national producer’s group affiliated with the USA Rice Federation. He will serve a two-year term.
• Charley Mathews, a Yuba County rice grower and Vice Chairman of Farmers’ Rice Cooperative was elected Chairman of the USA Rice Council this week at a meeting in Dallas, Texas. He will serve a two-year term.
• Sean Doherty, a Yolo County rice producer was elected Vice Chairman of the USA Rice Council at the same meeting in Dallas, Texas. He will serve a two-year term.
• Kirk Messick, Senior Vice President of Farmers’ Rice Cooperative was selected on the first ballot by the Rice Millers’ Association to be an RMA member of the Board of Directors of the USA Rice Council at their meeting earlier this week in Dallas, Texas.

We would also like to recognize Don Bransford, a Colusa County rice producer, who served the last two years as Vice Chairman of the U.S. Rice Producers’ Group.  Don serves on many boards of directors including the Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District, Chair of the California Rice Producers’ Group, the California Rice Commission and the Northern California Water Association and the local school board.

All of these gentlemen deserve a big round applause and recognition for the time and the leadership they provide to the U.S. and California rice industries.

Farmers’ Rice Cooperative’s Board of Directors and staff salute these leaders and thank them for their commitment of time and energy in support of our industry.