USCA Applauds Introduction of Livestock Hauling Bill

USCA Applauds Introduction of Livestock Hauling Bill

Russell Nemetz
Russell Nemetz
Senators Ben Sasse (R-NE), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Jon Tester (D), John Hoeven (R-ND), Tina Smith (D-MN), Pat Roberts (R-Ks), Rand Paul (R-KY), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Doug Jones (D-AL) have introduced the Transporting Livestock Across America Safely Act (TLAAS). This bill seeks to ease the burden of far-reaching Hours-of-Service (HOS) and Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) regulations for haulers of livestock and insects.

USCA Transportation Committee Chairman Steve Hilker issued the following statement:

"We asked, and Congress answered. This is a historic moment for livestock and insect haulers to finally be afforded needed flexibility in the restrictive Hours-of-Service (HOS) rules. We commend this bipartisan group of Senators, led by Sen. Sasse, for working with the industry towards a common-sense solution.

"Thank you to everyone who has put in many hours, many miles and many late nights to get this piece of legislation brought forth to the Senate floor. We look forward to working with the Senate - and the House - to get the Transporting Livestock Across America Safely Act across the finish line."

Transporting Livestock Across America Safely Act (TLAA) Fast Facts:

•Providing that HOS and ELD requirements are inapplicable until after a driver travels more than 300-air miles from their source. Drive time for HOS purposes does not start until after 300-air mile threshold.

•Exempts loading and unloading times from the HOS calculation of driving time.

•Extends the HOS on-duty time maximum hour requirement from 11 hours to a minimum of 15 hours and a maximum of 18 hours of on-duty time.

•Grants flexibility for drivers to rest at any point during their trip without counting against HOS time.

•Allows drivers to complete their trip – regardless of HOS requirements – if they come within 150-air miles of their delivery point.

•After the driver completes their delivery and the truck is unloaded, the driver will take a break for a period that is 5 hours less than the maximum on-duty time (10 hours if a 15 hour drive time).

Source: USCA

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