Richard Gupton, with the Agricultural Retailers Association says H.R. 4601 is legislation to provide “modern, common sense updates” to Seasonal Ag CDL. Also known as the Farm Related Services Industries Restricted CDL, the seasonal ag CDL provides for additional truck driving licenses with specific restrictions of moving farm products from or to a farm within a 150 mile radius.
“One of the big things we hear from our members is it’s hard to find qualified employees, particularly drivers,” Gupton says. “If you look at statistics from the American Trucking Association, driver shortages is a major problem, particularly during the busy time of the year for the ag sector.”
The program was originally launched in the early ‘90s and has been lauded as an overall success. It’s been used by ag retailers, ag chemical mixing businesses, custom harvester, and livestock feeders. About 27 states recognize the program and permit these licenses.
However Gupton says it’s time to bring about some updates to improve the program.
“It’s been a great program, but it needs to be updated to be more manageable and workable for our industry,” Gupton says.
ARA has expressed their appreciation for Tracy Mann, a congressman from Kansas, for bringing the bill forward and already getting 20 co-sponsors.
Gupton highlights three key changes the bill would provide for:
1. Online renewal
“If you have already gotten your CDL or restricted CDL, and you have a clean driving record, you should be able to renew it online,” Gupton says. “Some states allow for online renewals of commercial driver’s licenses, but this would put a congressional stamp—permission—for them to have it for this particular program.”
2. Definition of implements of husbandry
One of the biggest changes in trucking since the original passage of the program is the size, capacity and safety of modern equipment. As Gupton explains, this bill would for the first time ever at the federal level define what is an implement of husbandry which includes trailers and agricultural equipment.
3. Gross vehicle weight calculations
The bill provides for trailer weight to not be factored in the gross vehicle weight, which provides greater flexibility in the loads hauled using a seasonal ag CDL.
“These trailers have gotten heavier, and they are actually safer because they’ve got better lighting, better, breakage power, from the trailer and the trucks,” Gupton notes.
ARA has been working to a lead a coalition of 67 groups to move the legislation forward.
“We’re the united voice of the retailers here in Washington, D.C, but it takes coalitions to get things through Congress and bipartisanship, and so we’re trying to work with all sectors of the ag community,” Gupton says. And we’re very appreciative of Congressman Mann.”
Next steps include identifying a sponsor for the Senate version of the bill. And Gupton says the House Transportation Infrastructure Committee will likely take up a multi-year bill this fall, in which this legislation could be included. Gupton points to a Grassroots Action Alert on the ARA website for any retailer who wants to engage on this issue and in reaction to this upcoming legislation.
