[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 46 (Friday, March 29, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S3222]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. PRESSLER (for himself, Mr. Burns, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Daschle, 
        and Mr. Baucus):
  S. 1661. A bill to specify that States may waive certain requirements 
relating to commercial motor vehicle operators under chapter 313 of 
title 49, United States Code, with respect to the operators of certain 
farm vehicles, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation.


                    CUSTOMER HARVESTERS LEGISLATION

  Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, earlier this year the U.S. Custom 
Harvesters held their annual meeting in Sioux Falls, SD. South Dakotans 
put out the welcome mat for custom harvesters throughout the country, 
and the annual meeting was a resounding success.

  During that meeting it was brought to my attention that custom 
harvesters were not granted equal treatment as farmers and farm workers 
under Federal laws requiring commercial driving licenses [CDL]. 
Presently, States can grant waivers to the Federal CDL requirement to 
farmers and farm workers. Those same waiver requirements are not 
afforded to custom harvesters.
  In many parts of the country, including South Dakota, custom 
harvesters are a crucial component in agricultural production. The bill 
I am introducing today simply grants States the right to waive CDL 
requirements for custom harvesters similar to those waivers currently 
afforded farmers and farm-related businesses. Joining me in this effort 
are Senators Burns, Inhofe, Daschle, and Baucus.
  Mr. President, customer harvesters normally drive less than 5,000 
miles per year. They drive mostly on roads leading to and from farms 
and to the local grain elevator. Little time is spent on highways. 
Generally, custom harvesters drive less that 500 miles annually on 
interstate highways. It is a simple matter of fairness that they be 
treated equally.
  My bill would provide relief to custom harvesters from onerous and 
costly CDL requirements. Under the waivers, family members can take an 
active role in custom harvesting and drivers with experience and trust 
can be hired to drive custom harvesting vehicles.
  Custom harvesting involves many small, family owned companies. Custom 
operators account for nearly 40 percent of the total wheat acreage 
harvested annually. Their equipment must be utilized properly, kept in 
tip-top working conditions and safe in order to provide quality 
services. These harvesters go the extra mile to maintain equipment, 
train employees, and operate in the safest way possible.
  In 1988, States were provided the authority to waive CDL requirements 
for farmers. In 1991, the Senate passed a bill to provide the authority 
to individual States to provide the same exemption to custom 
harvesters. Unfortunately, that bill never passed and custom harvesters 
are still burdened with CDL requirements. My bill is similar to the 
measure passed in 1991. Given past Senate support for this measure, I 
am hopeful adoption of this bill will occur soon. I thank those 
Senators who have joined me in this effort and urge the Senate to adopt 
this bill.
                                 ______