[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 110 (Tuesday, July 21, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1862]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                INTRODUCING AG TRUCK WEIGHTS LEGISLATION

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                           HON. BETSY MARKEY

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 21, 2009

  Ms. MARKEY of Colorado. Madam Speaker, today I am proud to introduce, 
on behalf of myself and my colleague Adrian Smith of Nebraska, the 
House companion bill to S. 639--bill to help farmers and ranchers 
transport their commodities more easily.
  Being a member of both the Agriculture and the Transportation 
Committees, I understand how critical it is that both sectors be able 
to work together to facilitate the movement of commodities. 
Representing a largely agricultural district, I know the struggles 
farmers go through to transport their crops, especially in this time of 
ever fluctuating gas prices. We need to be doing what we can to relieve 
farmers of unnecessary transportation rules and regulations when they 
follow safe and responsible procedures.
  When a farmer drives goods of over 10,001 pounds across state lines, 
they becomes subject to the rules and regulations of commercial motor 
vehicles. Within their own State, the farmer is not violating any laws; 
however, once they become an ``interstate carrier'' the farmer is then 
responsible for all of the requirements of an operator of a commercial 
motor vehicle. These requirements include having a commercial driver's 
license, Department of Transportation certification on the vehicle, 
being subject to drug and alcohol testing in addition to having a 
medical examination certificate, and recording hours of service. For 
those farmers who are occasionally transporting their goods across 
state lines and are not driving trucks for a living, these requirements 
are an unnecessary burden. These costly regulations are taking an 
unfair toll on farmers and this legislation will correct that. This 
legislation would exempt farmers from the 10,001 pound definition of a 
Commercial Motor Vehicle when traveling between States and will reduce 
undue burdens on farmers.

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