I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2414 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 6, 2011 Mr. Lankford (for himself and Mr. Boren) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To exempt certain farm vehicles from certain operating requirements, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Farmers’ Freedom Act of 2011.

2.

Exemptions from requirements for certain farm vehicles

(a)

Federal requirements

A covered farm vehicle, including the individual operating that vehicle, shall be exempt from the following: (1)Any requirement relating to commercial driver’s licenses established under chapter 313 of title 49, United States Code. (2)Any requirement relating to drug testing established under chapter 313 of title 49, United States Code. (3)Any requirement relating to medical certificates established under chapter 313 of title 49, United States Code. (4)Any requirement relating to hours of service established under— (A)subchapter III of chapter 311 of title 49, United States Code; or (B)chapter 315 of title 49, United States Code. (b)

State requirements

(1)

In general

Federal transportation funding to a State may not be terminated, limited, or otherwise interfered with as a result of the State exempting a covered farm vehicle, including the individual operating that vehicle, from any State requirement relating to the operation of that vehicle. (2)

Exception

Paragraph (1) does not apply with respect to a covered farm vehicle transporting hazardous materials that require a placard. (c)

Covered farm vehicle defined

(1)

In general

In this section, the term covered farm vehicle means a motor vehicle that— (A)is traveling— (i)in the State in which the vehicle is registered; or (ii)in a State other than the State in which the vehicle is registered; (B)is operated by— (i)a farm owner; (ii)a ranch owner; (iii)a farm operator; (iv)a ranch operator; or (v)an employee or family member of an individual specified in clauses (i) through (iv); (C)is transporting— (i)agricultural commodities; (ii)livestock; or (iii)machinery or supplies to or from a farm or ranch; (D)except as provided in paragraph (2), is not used in the operations of a for-hire motor carrier; and (E)is equipped with a special license plate or other designation by the State in which the vehicle is registered to allow for identification of the vehicle as a farm vehicle by law enforcement personnel. (2)

Inclusion

In this section, the term covered farm vehicle includes a motor vehicle— (A)operated pursuant to a crop share farm lease agreement; (B)owned by a tenant with respect to that agreement; and (C)transporting the landlord’s portion of the crops under that agreement.