Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., is again attempting to pass a bill aimed to support ag haulers.
Last week, Fischer reintroduced the Haulers of Agriculture and Livestock Safety (HAULS) Act. Fischer, who also has introduced the HAULS Act in previous legislative sessions, touts the bill as a way “to strengthen the transportation of America’s agricultural products.”
“Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers feed and fuel our world, but burdensome regulations make it harder for their goods to be transported,” Fischer said in a news release. “That’s why I’ve introduced the HAULS Act to ensure that Nebraska’s ag products reach consumers in a safe and timely manner.”
S3552 would:
- Eliminate the requirement that ag and livestock hours-of-service exemptions only apply during state designated planting and harvesting seasons
- Amend and clarify the definition of “agricultural commodities” based on feedback provided by agriculture and livestock organizations
- Expand on Fischer provision signed into law by authorizing a 150 air-mile exemption from hours-of-service requirements on the destination side of a haul for ag commodity haulers
The revised definition of agricultural commodities would include:
- Any non-processed product planted or harvested for food, feed, fuel or fiber
- Any non-human living animal, including fish, insects and livestock
- The non-processed products of any non-human living animal, including milk, eggs and honey
- Non-processed forestry, aquacultural, horticultural and floricultural commodities
- Fresh or minimally processed fruits and vegetables
- Animal feed, including the ingredients of animal feed
As of Monday, Dec. 22, the bill had no co-sponsors.
In 2021, Fischer and former Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., advocated for the bill during a Senate hearing.
“People have to understand that if you have a pot load of cattle or hogs that you can’t just pull over to the side of the road,” Tester said. “If you do, it’s going to overheat, and they’re going to die.” LL
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