Livestock haulers across the country are currently exempt from implementing electronic logging devices (ELDs). The question is: For how much longer?
A few months ago, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) worked closely with allies in Congress to secure a temporary exemption through Dec. 7, 2018. With less than ten days to go before that exemption expires, NCBA has been making the rounds on Capitol Hill to remind lawmakers that a further extension is necessary.
“The livestock industry needs additional time to work with Congress and the Administration on a long-term solution to overly-restrictive Hours of Service rules,” said Executive Director of Government Affairs Allison Rivera. “Extending the ELD implementation delay for livestock haulers will give us more breathing room while that process moves forward.”
A draft fiscal year 2019 government spending bill includes a provision that would delay ELD implementation for livestock haulers until Sept. 30, 2019. Keeping that provision included in any spending bill is an immediate priority.
NCBA is also looking forward to further conversations with the Department of Transportation (DOT) on the recent petition that requests flexibility for livestock haulers on Hours of Service (HOS) requirements. Authored by industry groups including NCBA and the Livestock Marketing Association, the petition asks for increased drive time for livestock haulers and includes a plan for working with the DOT on additional fatigue-management practices. The petition has already garnered bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress (read the letters of support here and here). As a next step, DOT is expected to open a public comment period on the petition.