News Links
More Ag News
- USDA Rural Development to Hold Public Meeting
- Agriland offers hands-on opportunities to learn about agriculture
- Nation’s largest agricultural finance conference set for Nov. 16--19
- McCain criticized for water comments
- Ag Bankers Meeting Set
- Cattleman Ready for Higher Beef Checkoff
- K-State Professor Sees Benefits to Locating NBAF in Manhattan, Kansas
- Sweet Potato and Cassava Better at Ethanol Production
- Biodiesel Pump Labels Coming
- Secretary Notes Full Market Access for U.S. Beef
- WTO Director Working to Pull India and U.S. Together
- Energy Debate Moving, But Where
- New Denver cut makes good impression
- US support for trade deal won't fade
- 2008 Farm Bill Disaster Program Deadline Approaches
- Rabobank Analysts Discuss the Food vs. Fuel Debate
- Appreciation BBQ scheduled for State Fair
- It Tastes Great! Keep it Safe!
- Booming meat exports supported by corn producers
- Disease in Corn Found in One Indiana County
- R-CALF Official Speaks Out Against High-Risk Cattle
- USDA-Chinese Sign Biofuels Agreement
Ag News
AFBF Backs Change in Trucking Regulations
Published Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 05:06 AM
The bill defines the weight of a commercial motor vehicle for agricultural related purposes as the minimum weight of the commercial vehicle in the state in which the vehicle is being operated, removing the federal violation when a truck crosses between states with weight definitions higher than the federal baseline.
The Inhofe bill is similar to H.R. 3098 introduced in the House by Reps. Dan Boren (D-Okla.) and Mary Fallin (R-Okla.). The House bill has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
“Farmers and ranchers strive to ensure their motor vehicles are in a safe and proper operating condition and that they are used in a careful and responsible manner,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “AFBF believes that farmers and ranchers hauling their own products in their own vehicles, many in close proximity to their own property, should not be subject to the same regulations intended to govern full-time commercial truck drivers.”
AFBF sent a letter to all members of the Senate urging them to co-sponsor the bill.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) defines a commercial motor vehicle as having a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more. Under those same regulations, a state may exempt commercial motor vehicles up to 26, 001 pounds if they are engaged solely in intrastate commerce. Thirty-two states take advantage of this exemption.
Under current regulation, crossing state lines changes the classification from intrastate carrier to interstate carrier, triggering commercial requirements even if the truck has traveled only a short distance and both states recognize the 26,001 pound exemption. The bill will allow farmers and ranchers to drive between those states without triggering the federal commercial motor vehicle definition of 10,001 pounds for interstate commerce.
© 2008 The Nebraska Rural Radio Association. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
- Information:
- Weather
- |
- Markets
- |
- Tours
- |
- Promotions
- |
- Events
- |
- Funeral Notices
- |
- Photos
- © 2008 Rural Radio Network. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.