This article has been reprinted from the Aug. 1 USDA Grain Transportation Report.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration seeks comments to assist in determining whether, and if so to what extent, the Agency should revise or otherwise clarify the definitions of “agricultural commodity” or “livestock” in the “Hours of Service (HOS) of Drivers” regulations.
Currently, during harvesting and planting seasons as determined by each State, drivers transporting agricultural commodities, including livestock, are exempt from the HOS requirements from the source of the commodities to a location within a 150-air-mile radius from the source.
This Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is prompted by indications that the current definition of these terms may not be understood or enforced consistently when determining whether the HOS exemption applies.
Comments are due on or before September 27.