WASHINGTON — Representatives Collin C. Peterson (D-MN) and Greg Gianforte (R-MT) have reintroduced two pieces of bipartisan legislation to relieve certain sectors of the trucking industry from the Federal Motor Carrier Assn.’s electronic logging device (ELD) mandate. 

The Small Carrier Electronic Logging Device Exemption Act of 2018 will exempt businesses which operate ten or fewer commercial trucks from the requirements of the ELD mandate, and the Agricultural Business Electronic Logging Device Exemption Act of 2018 will exempt agricultural businesses.

“This important legislation will eliminate regulations for small trucking companies and will help reduce unnecessary stops and delays which threaten the agricultural products they help to transport,” said Peterson. “These bills are a win for small businesses in rural America and our farmers.”

“Electronic logging devices are more Washington red tape that ties up truckers and puts livestock and Montana livelihoods at risk,” Gianforte said. “These bills will help reduce the unnecessary burden this federal mandate pushes onto Montana’s small trucking operations, farmers and ranchers.”

The ELD mandate requires commercial drivers who prepare hours-of-service records to connect an electronic logging device to a vehicle’s engine to record driving hours.

Support has been expressed from the following organizations:

"For farm equipment dealers, the Agricultural Business ELD Exemption Act provides urgently important regulatory relief that allows dealers to serve their customers. Agricultural operations face unique circumstances that require equipment dealers to provide equipment, service and parts during critical times such as harvest and planting seasons. Current ELD restrictions limit equipment dealers responsiveness to their farmer and rancher customer's needs while driving up costs. This bill would increase uptime for agriculture producers and lower costs while maintaining safety standards." — John Schmeiser, CEO, Western Equipment Dealers Assn.

“Minnesota Farm Bureau appreciates Chairman Peterson's leadership in making sure that agriculture's concerns with the Electronic Logging Device requirements are addressed. The safety of animals in transit, while protecting the safety of others on the road, is something Minnesota Farm Bureau takes very seriously. Transporting live animals and perishable products requires flexibility and a “one-size-fits-all” does not work for transporting agricultural products.” — Kevin Paap, President, Minnesota Farm Bureau

“Minnesota cattle producers and livestock haulers are grateful to Congress and members like Representative Peterson for the ELD delay that they currently hold. We are also thankful that Representative Peterson and others continue to fight for needed flexibility for livestock haulers, who are an integral part of helping farmers feed this country and the world.” — Mike Landuyt, President, Minnesota State Cattlemen Assn.

“On behalf of the United States Cattlemen’s Association, we’d like to thank House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson and Representative Greg Gianforte for listening to the concerns of not only livestock haulers, but all transporters of agricultural commodities. This bill will exempt agricultural businesses from the requirements of the Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) mandate, but still hold drivers accountable for reporting their Hours-of-Service – thereby ensuring the safety of livestock haulers, the animals they transport, and fellow road users.” — Steve Hilker, Transportation Committee Chairman, United States Cattlemen’s Assn.

“America’s sheep industry relies every day on safe, efficient and qualified livestock haulers. This act would give those haulers the needed flexibility to ensure both highway safety and animal welfare. We applaud Rep. Peterson and Rep. Gianforte on their leadership.” — Benny Cox, President, American Sheep Industry Assn. 

“TruckerNation is pleased to continually support Congressman Peterson in his efforts to bring legislative relief to small trucking companies and transporters of agricultural commodities. The Congress has a unique opportunity to pass this bipartisan legislation which impacts everyone who travels our nations highways and byways. Transportation continues to be an industry that is over legislated and regulated. It is refreshing to see efforts by legislative leaders to bring relief to the small business and agricultural transporters of our great Nation.” — TruckerNation

“On behalf of our members and the trucking industry, we at the United States Transportation Alliance (USTA) would like to thank you for the reintroduction of The Small Carrier Electronic Logging Device Exemption Act of 2018 and Agricultural Business Electronic Logging Device Exemption Act of 2018. It is a big step in the right direction. We're happy to have been able to meet with your staff on this issue and look forward to more in the future.” — Mike Landis, CEO, United States Transportation Alliance