Deadline Extended: HOS Ag Exemption Survey

As part of an industry effort to obtain more permanent protection for the hours of service (HOS) agricultural exemption, the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) has extended its deadline to take an important survey to May 22.

During consideration of the 2005 Highway Bill, also known as the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users or SAFETEA-LU (P.L. 109-59), the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) successfully led an industry effort to obtain more permanent protection for the hours of service (HOS) agricultural exemption. But state enforcement and safety groups are now requesting that Congress eliminate this critical exemption. With a new highway authorization bill scheduled for this summer, we need data to show a strong industry safety record and help support the continuation of this exemption.

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Please assist ARA in our industry fight to ensure the HOS Ag exemption remains in effect by completing this brief survey. Take survey.

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Background Information

Agricultural retailers and distributors heavily depend on the HOS agricultural exemption in order to ensure that essential crop input materials (fertilizer, seed and chemicals) can be delivered to their customers during peak times of the year. It is essential that Congress maintains the HOS ag exemption in order for the industry to be able to meet the crop input needs of agricultural operations in a timely fashion during planting and harvest. This exemption has been in place since 1995 when first approved by Congress in the 1995 National Highway Designation Act (P.L. 104-59).

The HOS Ag exemption must be adopted by each state and applies only during designated months throughout the year as determined by the state. Nothing preempts State laws and regulations concerning the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles as a result of this exemption. Furthermore, the exemption is only valid within a 100 air-mile radius from the source of the commodities or the distribution of the farm supplies.

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