Legislation that affects agricultural trucking is getting some support. Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) of South Dakota introduced the TRUCKS Act, formally known as the Trucking Regulations Unduly Constricting Known Service-providers Act. It would allow states to issue a new Small Business Restricted Commercial Driver’s License without having to meet the federal safety program Entry-Level Driver Training requirements that were passed in 2012.
The training classes range from $450 to $8,500 and can take up to 20 days to complete. Senator Rounds calls the federal safety training program “burdensome”.
U.S. Custom Harvesters agrees and has endorsed the legislation. In a news release, U.S. Custom Harvesters states the legislation will remove burdensome government regulations and simplify the process of hiring CDL drivers, especially during a difficult labor market in the agriculture industry. In the news release, they state “The TRUCKS act will protect small businesses from these constricting regulations so they can fill positions in a timely manner and remain competitive in the industry.”
The new rule does still require other training and verification procedures.
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Sabrina Halvorson
National Correspondent / AgNet Media, Inc.
Sabrina Halvorson is an award-winning journalist, broadcaster, and public speaker who specializes in agriculture. She primarily reports on legislative issues and hosts The AgNet News Hour and The AgNet Weekly podcast. Sabrina is a native of California’s agriculture-rich Central Valley.