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Aderholt Sponsors Bill Easing Restrictions on Farm Trucks
Friday July 20, 2007WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) has sponsored legislation that would ease restrictions on farm trucks engaged in transporting agricultural products within state lines. The bill, H.R. 3098 is a joint effort between himself, Congressman Dan Boren (OK-2), and Congresswoman Mary Fallin (OK-5) and was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday.
“There’s clearly a problem when local farmers trying to transport their goods to market are being subjected to rules intended for large commercial trucks,” stated Congressman Aderholt. “Instead of improving road safety farmers are facing more red tape, greater costs and countless bureaucratic headaches.”
Currently, farm trucks operating within a state’s borders are classified as commercial motor vehicles meaning they must comply with federal regulations such as registering their vehicle with the U.S. Department of Transportation, holding a commercial drivers license and logging their driving hours-of-service. This bill would adjust the federal definition of commercial motor vehicles and specifically exempt drivers and farm trucks engaged in the intrastate transportation of agricultural products.
Aderholt continued, “Highway safety is paramount to everyone but there’s a difference between short-haul farm trucks and larger commercial trucks operating regionally or cross-country. It’s a straightforward issue that requires a commonsense solution.”
The Alabama Farmers Federation is supportive of the bill sponsored by Congressman Aderholt.
“We appreciate the commitment by Congressman Aderholt, as well as the entire Alabama delegation, to help Alabama farmers retain the agricultural exemption for DOT registration while also ensuring there is no loss of federal funding to the state of Alabama,” said Jerry Newby, President of the Alabama Farmers Federation. “It’s clear that this issue is broader in scope than just Alabama, and we will work with our colleagues from the American Farm Bureau Federation to ensure we maintain the exemptions.”