Bill Would Let Ag Haulers Keep H-O-S Rules Exemption

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img src="/sites/default/files/images/articles/printeditiontag_new.gif" width=120 align=right>WASHINGTON — Rep. Doug Bereuter (R-Neb.) told agricultural haulers last week that he planned to introduce legislation that would safeguard the exemptions they currently enjoy from the rules governing commercial driver hours of service.

Truckers hauling agricultural goods within a 100 air-mile radius of their point of origin are exempted from federal rules prescribing how long truckers may work before stopping to rest. However, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s 2000 proposal to revise the rules would have limited that exemption to farmers, cutting off for-hire truckers.

FMCSA withdrew that proposal after it attracted widespread industry and congressional criticism. A reworked plan is now being reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget.

For the full story, see the Feb. 10 edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.