Senator Marshall Cosponsors Legislation to Ensure HOS & ELD Regulations Work for Ag Haulers

Bipartisan Legislation Would Delay ELD Enforcement until Reforms Are Proposed by Transportation Secretary

(Washington, D.C., March 30, 2021) – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. today announced the reintroduction of the Modernizing Agricultural Transportation Act, bipartisan legislation to reform the Hours of Service (HOS) and Electronic Logging Device (ELD) regulations at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Further, the bill would delay enforcement of the ELD rule until the required reforms are formally proposed by the Transportation Secretary.

“Livestock haulers have the difficult task of protecting the safety of our roads while maintaining the health and welfare of the animals they’re transporting,” said Senator Marshall. “The establishment of this working group will allow DOT to make commonsense reforms and remove burdensome regulations placed on hardworking transporters, ensuring the timely delivery of agricultural commodities.”  

Specifically, the bill would establish a working group at DOT comprised of representatives from the transportation and agriculture industries, transportation safety representatives, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The working group would be required to consider the impact of existing HOS and ELD rules on the commercial transport of livestock, insects, and agricultural commodities and develop guidelines on reforming these rules. Within 120 days of receiving the working group’s report, the Transportation Secretary must propose regulatory changes to the HOS and ELD regulations, taking into account the group’s findings and recommendations.

In addition to Senator Marshall, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), James Risch (R-Idaho), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), and Mike Braun (R-Ind.).

The Modernizing Agricultural Transportation Act is supported by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA), Livestock Marketing Association (LMA), American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), the American Honey Producers Association (AHPA), The American Horse Council, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), American Sheep Industry Association (ASI), the National Turkey Federation and the National Aquaculture Association. A summary of the legislation can be found here, and industry statements of support can be found here. The full text of the bill is available here.

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