U.S. Cattlemen’s Association Applauds Introduction of DRIVE Act

(MAY 4, 2023) – On Tuesday, Representative Josh Brecheen (R-OK), a fourth-generation rancher and former trucking company owner himself, introduced the Deregulating Restrictions on Interstate Vehicles and Eighteen Wheelers Act, or DRIVE Act. The bill would prohibit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration from “implementing any rule or regulation requiring vehicles over 26,000 pounds that are engaged in interstate commerce to be equipped with a …

Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework Delivers Win for Livestock Haulers

(NOVEMBER 8, 2021) – On Friday, the House voted 228-206 to send the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to the President’s desk. The bill makes a historic investment to rebuild America’s roads, bridges and rails, ensure every American has access to high-speed internet, and strengthen supply chains by making long overdue improvements for our nation’s ports, airports, rail, and roads.  Most notably, …

USCA and 50 Other Groups Submit Comments to Dept. of Transportation

(OCTOBER 29, 2021) – USCA joined more than 50 agriculture groups in submitting comments to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg addressing the many disruptive factors facing the U.S. supply chain. The comments included recommendations on how to alleviate these challenges through legislative and regulatory actions. In the document, the groups wrote, “It is critical that we can safely transport our live animals and insects …

Learn More: What does the new Emergency Declaration mean for livestock haulers?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently announced an extension of the exemption from hours-of-service requirements for livestock haulers through midnight on November 30, 2021. However, this version of the declaration includes big changes that livestock haulers should be aware of while operating under the exemption. Don’t risk being put OOS! Join USCA Transportation Committee members for an informational call next …

Member Alert: Livestock Hauling Provisions, Disaster Aid Funding, and more.

(AUGUST 4, 2021) – Two key bills moving through the U.S. Senate this week contain provisions that will work to strengthen the U.S. cattle producer’s bottom line. These ‘wins’ are the result of countless hours of volunteer work with Congress and other stakeholders by members of the United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA).  First, included in the 2,072-page bipartisan infrastructure bill is a portion of …

USCA Requests Emergency Relief for Livestock Haulers Following JBS Shutdown

(JUNE 2, 2021) – On Wednesday, the United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg requesting immediate regulatory relief for transporters of live animals and fresh meat products following the impact of the cyberattack on global meat supplier JBS SA. In the letter, USCA requests the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) provide emergency …

Senators Seek to Delay ELD Enforcement for Agricultural Transporters

(MARCH 31, 2021)- On Monday, U.S. Senators John Hoeven (R-ND) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) reintroduced 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 …

FMCSA Issues Interim Final Rule Paving the Way for Inconsistent Roadside Enforcement

(NOVEMBER 19) – On Thursday, the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published an interim final rule (IFR) clarifying agricultural commodity and livestock definitions in hours-of-service (HOS) regulations. Unfortunately, the revised definition of what constitutes a “non-processed” food product paves the way for inconsistent roadside enforcement for transporters of beef and meat products. The Agency defines …

Bipartisan Letter Urges HOS Reform in Surface Transportation Reauthorization

(APRIL 30) – U.S. Senators John Hoeven and Michael Bennet led a bipartisan letter this week to Senate Commerce Committee leaders requesting consideration of hours-of-service rules (HOS) reform for livestock haulers within surface transportation reauthorization legislation. The letter states,”…in the absence of congressional action, the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act (Public Law 114-94) is set to expire on September …

Temporary Hours of Service Exemption for Livestock Haulers

(March 18, 2020) — Due to the COVID-19 emergency relief effort, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has exempted livestock haulers from compliance with federal Hours of Service rules that limit drive time until at least April 12. Drivers wishing to haul under this exemption are suggested to print out and keep in their cab a copy of the Expanded …