Broadened exemption for agricultural commodities transport passes House

The House on Tuesday OK’d legislation that would broaden exemptions to rules that regulate agricultural transportation.

Passed 121-0, HF3548 would broaden the definition of harvest season to year-round for an hours of service exemption in intrastate transportation of agricultural commodities and farm supplies within a 150-mile radius. Hours of service requirements are federal regulations governing the amount of driving time, rest periods and logging of on-duty and rest times for commercial motor carriers.

The bill would also incorporate a federal exemption into state statute establishing a year-round harvest season. That would have the effect of applying a federal exemption from hours of service rules governing interstate transportation of agricultural commodities and farm supplies.

Sponsored by Rep. Tim Miller (R-Prinsburg), HF3548 now goes to the Senate. There, Sen. Andrew Lang (R-Olivia) is the sponsor. 

“This bill recognizes that today’s farm economy requires our farmers and our ag groups to be able to get their products [to market] on-time,” Miller said.

WATCH Full video of Tuesday's House Floor session