Source: PRESS RELEASE, 3/6/15

Rep. Randy Neugebauer (TX-19), Vice Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, introduced H.R. 1267 this week, a bill that would make it easier for farmers, custom harvesters, and agricultural producers to safely transport the fuel they need for a day of field work. Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN), Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee, joined Neugebauer in introducing the bill. In the Senate, a companion bill was introduced by Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS), Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), and Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS). Neugebauer released the following statement after introducing the bill:

“Hardworking 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West Texas shouldn’t have to take multiple trips to the fuel station just to fill up their equipment because of outdated fuel transport restrictions. 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. 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.”

Currently, Class A commercial drivers can only haul up to 119 gallons of fuel unless they have a hazardous materials endorsement, which is costly and time-consuming to obtain. There is already an exemption to these requirements for Class B commercial drivers. H.R. 1267 simply broadens that exemption to Class A drivers, who are more stringently tested, and allows the transport of up to 1,000 gallons of fuel.

The bill enjoys widespread support from the following organizations:

Agricultural & 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 Incorporated, U.S. Canola Association, U.S. Custom Harvesters, Inc., U.S. Dry Bean Council, and the USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council.