Te primary issue to be addressed is sod’s lack of recognition as an agricultural commodity under 49 CFR 395.2. Photo courtesy of Eagle Lake Professional Landscape Supply
We have met with: Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC), Rep. Rob Woodall (R-GA), Rep. David Price (D-NC), Rep. Drew Ferguson (R-GA), and Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX). Reps. Babin, Ferguson, Rouzer, and Woodall all serve on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, while Reps. Rouzer and Scott serve on the Agriculture Committee. Tis bill is relatively new and as a result there are yet to be any co-sponsors. However, TPI will continue working to generate support in the House of Representatives and will also seek a similar companion bill in the Senate. With congressional adjournment in December 2018, our primary goal has been to build support on Capitol Hill so this measure has a head start when re-introduced in early 2019, the 116th session of Congress.
We are continuing to hear from TPI members on how these regulations will impact their business and their concerns are widespread. Some of the members we have talked to are more concerned about HOS than ELDs, because not being able to claim the agriculture commodity exemption in 49 CFR 395.1 (k) could drastically limit them from getting sod to customers in a timely manner. Some members we have talked to are less concerned about HOS and are more concerned about ELDs and how the mandated use of these could impact their drivers. With regard to all of these concerns, the current Phased-in Compliance phase lasts until December 16, 2019, after which point the Full Compliance phase begins where all drivers and carriers subject to the rule must use self-certified ELDs that are registered with FMCSA.
TPI will continue to work with FMCSA on this issue, and if you have any questions, concerns, or comments about how the new rules regarding Electronic Logging
TPI Turf News January/February 2019
Devices (ELDs) and Hours of Service (HOS) Supporting Documents impact your business, please reach out to us for discussion. Furthermore, if your elected congressional and senate officials are willing to work with TPI to support H.R. 7004, then please let us know that as well.
More information on this topic will be presented at the TPI 2019 International Education Conference in Charlotte, NC, from February 18-20, and may also be the subject of future webinars or requests for comments. In the meantime, there are several resources below that may further explain the appropriate use of ELDs, HOS requirements, and hauling of agricultural commodities.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website:
www.fmcsa.dot.gov
ELD Hours of Service (HOS) and Agriculture Exemptions:
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/hours-service/ elds/eld-hours-service-hos-and-agriculture-exemptions
Interstate Truck Driver’s Guide to Hours of Service:
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/ interstate-truck-drivers-guide-hours-service
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49: Transportation: Part 395 – Hours of Service of Drivers:
https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=ed3f027b5 f52785ddefdec0f7a0d23f4&mc=true&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/ Title49/49cfr395_main_02.tpl
Please address any questions or comments to
creynolds@TurfGrassSod.org or (847) 737-1846.
Casey Reynolds is executive director of Turfgrass Producers International.
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