Infrastructure Framework Clears Path For Livestock Hauler Local Exemption

President Biden signed the infrastructure bill at a White House Ceremony the morning of Monday, November 15th.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA or the Infrastructure Bill) provides for $1.2 trillion in spending, $550 billion of which would be new federal spending to be allocated over the next five years. The investments included in the IIJA, from clean energy to broadband, would significantly reframe the future of infrastructure in the US.

Provisions of Sen. Deb Fischer’s (R-Neb.) Haulers of Agriculture and Livestock Safety Act of 2021 (HAULS Act) are included within the bipartisan infrastructure framework securing a long-awaited, permanent solution for livestock haulers.

A provision in the legislation expands the miles agricultural truckers can drive without the restrictions of the federal Hours of Service (HOS) rule, which limits commercial truckers to 11 hours of driving time and 14 consecutive hours of on-duty time in any 24-hour period. Livestock haulers are now granted 150 air-mile radius from the origin and destination of their trip. This effectively allows livestock haulers to travel an additional 300 miles while exempt from the restrictive HOS regulations.

“KCA has supported the efforts of livestock haulers to secure meaningful exemptions to oppressive limitations. We thank USCA, Steve Hilker, and the many others involved at making this finally happen,” Stated KCA Executive Director, Tyler Dupy.

The exemption became effective upon the President signing the infrastructure bill.