Senate transportation bill clarifies HOS exemption

Washington — The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA), the Agricultural and Food Transporters Conference (AFTC) of the American Trucking Associations, the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC), and The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) applauded the U.S. Senate’s passage on March 14 of the Surface Transportation bill. The bill included an amendment introduced by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and co-sponsored by Sens. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), and Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) that resolves questions regarding the applicability of the agricultural hours of service (HOS) exemption. Specifically, the legislation clarifies that the agricultural HOS exemption is applicable to drivers transporting agricultural commodities within a 100 air-mile radius; drivers transporting farm supplies for agricultural purposes from a wholesale or retail business to a farm or other location where the farm supplies are intended to be used within a 100 air-mile radius from the distribution point; or drivers transporting farm supplies from a wholesale location to a retail location so long as the transportation is within a 100 air-mile radius. “We appreciate the leadership demonstrated by Senators Klobuchar and Roberts through their introduction of this important amendment to the Surface Transportation Bill,” said Daren Coppock, ARA president and CEO. “The Senate’s passage of this legislation helps ensure that agricultural retailers are able to supply farmers with the products they need in an efficient manner during critical times of the year.” Added TFI President Ford B. West, “TFI is very pleased with the passage of this important legislation and we are grateful for the efforts of Senators Klobuchar, Roberts, and others who offered their support of the agricultural hours of service exemption. We hope the House will work quickly to pass similar legislation.”