ARLINGTON, Va. – The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) sent a coalition letter along with sixty-six agribusiness organizations to House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee leadership, urging them to support H.R. 4601, the Seasonal Agriculture CDL Modernization Act, sponsored by Rep. Tracey Mann (R-Kansas) and twenty House Members.
“Our industries cannot afford the overhead of maintaining an exclusive workforce of full-time commercial drivers due to the seasonal nature of agricultural production and transportation is incidental to the primary business purpose of agriculture,” the letter reads.
“The proposed legislation aims to modernize and simplify regulations for farm-related industries by authorizing online renewal of Seasonal Ag CDLs. Additionally, it seeks to provide clarity and relief by codifying that implements of husbandry are not classified as commercial motor vehicles and do not contribute to the Gross Combination Vehicle Weight Rating (GCVWR) or Gross Combination Weight (GCW),” they continue.
The bill proposes the authorization of online renewal for Seasonal Ag CDLs. This initiative is designed to:
- Streamline the renewal process, saving time and resources for drivers and state agencies.
- Enhance accessibility, particularly for individuals in rural areas who may face challenges visiting renewal centers physically.
- Support the agricultural sector by reducing administrative burdens, allowing drivers to focus on essential farming and transportation activities.
Under the legislation, implements of husbandry—equipment specifically designed for farm use—will not be classified as commercial motor vehicles, as is long-standing Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration policy to ensure more durable regulations for our industry.
Organizations who joined ARA in sending this letter included: the Agribusiness Association of Iowa, Agribusiness Association of Kentucky, Agribusiness Council of Indiana, Agricultural Council of Arkansas, Agricultural Retailers Association, Agriculture Transportation Coalition, American Cotton Shippers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Feed Industry Association, American Honey Producers Association, American Malting Barley Association, Council of Producers & Distributors of Agrotechnology, Far West Agribusiness Association, Farm Credit Council, Florida Fertilizer & Agrichemical Association, Georgia Agribusiness Council, Idaho Grain Producers Association, Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Corn Growers Association, Kansas Farm Bureau, Kansas Grain and Feed Association, Kansas Sorghum Producers, Kansas Soybean Association, Louisiana Ag Industries Association, Michigan Agri-Business Association, Minnesota Crop Production Retailers, Mississippi Agricultural Industry Council, Missouri Agribusiness Association, Montana Agricultural Business Association, National Aquaculture Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Barley Growers Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Cotton Council, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Farmers Union, National Grain and Feed Association, National Grange, National Milk Producers Federation, National Pork Producers Council, National Sorghum Producers, National Sunflower Association, Nebraska Agri-Business Association, Nebraska Cooperative Council, North American Millers’ Association, North American Renderers Association, North Carolina AgriBusiness Council, North Dakota Agricultural Association, North Dakota Grain Dealers Association, Ohio AgriBusiness Association, Pet Food Institute, Rocky Mountain Agribusiness Association, South Dakota Agri-Business Association, Southern Crop Production Association, Texas Ag Industries Association, Texas Grain & Feed Association, The Fertilizer Institute, U.S. Canola Association, U.S. Rice Producers Association, USA Rice, Virginia Agribusiness Council, Washington Association of Wheat Growers, Wisconsin Agri-Business Association, Wyoming Ag Business Association, and the Wyoming Wheat Growers Association.
Read the full letter here.
