TOPEKA, Kan. — The Haulers of Agriculture and Livestock Safety (HAULS) Act of 2021 was introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives this week. This bill is a companion to legislation NCBA successfully got introduced in the Senate last month.
The HAULS Act would add a 150-air-mile radius exemption under hours-of-service (HOS) regulations to the back end of hauls for those transporting livestock or agricultural commodities. This legislation also would eliminate the seasonal harvest requirements for the agriculture HOS exemption, making it available year-round in all states, and updates and clarifies the definition of an agricultural commodity.
“In times of crisis and in times of normalcy, livestock haulers are a critical part of the supply chain, keeping grocery stores stocked with beef. The full year of disruption due to COVID-19 has only underscored the need for further flexibility in livestock hauling regulations,” said NCBA President Jerry Bohn of Wichita.
Current HOS rules allow for 11 hours of drive time, 14 hours of on-duty time, then require 10 consecutive hours of rest. When transporting livestock, there is a real need for further flexibility beyond the current HOS as haulers cannot idle or unload their trucks when drive-time hours run out without jeopardizing animal health and welfare.
This legislation is the latest of many steps NCBA has taken to win greater flexibility for livestock haulers and producers.
— Kansas Livestock Association
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