U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX), vice chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, introduced legislation Friday that would relieve a burden currently carried by harvesters, farmers and agricultural producers that use large amounts of diesel fuel on a daily basis.
Under current law, Class A commercial drivers can only carry 119 gallons of fuel or less, unless they acquire a hazardous-materials permit – which is expensive and requires a cumbersome application process. Class B commercial drivers are already exempted from this requirement under a provision written within the regulation. Neugebauer’s bill would expand that exemption to Class A drivers as well, permitting them to transport up to 1,000 gallons of fuel.
“Hard-working farmers throughout West Texas shouldn’t have to take multiple trips to the fuel station just to fill up their equipment because of outdated fuel-transport restrictions,” Neugebauer said. “Farmers know that when it comes time to plant or harvest a crop, every minute matters. That is why I have reintroduced this common-sense bill to safely and responsibly update and modernize federal law.”
U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN), a ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee, joined Neugebauer in introducing the bill. Companion Senate legislation was introduced last week by Sens. Pat Roberts (R-KS), chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee; Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and Jerry Moran (R-KS).
“We must reduce the regulatory burden on those who work tirelessly to feed and clothe America. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to move this important bill forward and into law.”
The bill is supported by a long list of heavy hitters in the agriculture industry, including the Agricultural and Food Transporters Conference, Agricultural Retailers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Calmer Corn Heads, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Cooperative Council, Kansas Corn Growers Association, Kansas Grain Sorghum Producers Association, Kansas Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Barley Growers Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Sorghum Producers, National Sunflower Association, SD Wheat, U.S. Canola Association, U.S. Custom Harvesters, U.S. Dry Bean Council, and the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council.