The United States Cattlemen’s Association members are supporting companion legislation in the House and Senate to reform livestock hauling regulations. USCA’s Lia Biondo says the measures provide more reasonable Hours of Service and Electronic Logging Device rules for those transporting livestock.

The House bill would establish a working group to study regulatory and legislative improvements for livestock, insect and agricultural transport industries. The Senate bill exempts loading and unloading times from the Hours of Service calculation of driving time. USCA President Kenny Graner says the measures need to be approved because regulations on livestock hauling become a health issue.

Biondo says they want the companion livestock hauling legislation to be attached to whatever infrastructure bill President Trump and Democratic leaders agree to.

The Livestock Haulers legislation also calls for Hours of Service and ELD requirements not to be applicable until after a driver travels more than 300 air miles from their source. Drive time for hours of service purposes doesn’t start until after the 300-mile threshold.