ELD Rule Update: Introduction of Bill to Reform Hours of Service Rules

The recent introduction of the Transporting Livestock Across America Safely (TLAAS) Act is warmly welcomed by many of South Dakota’s livestock haulers. The bill works to reform federal Hours of Service (HOS) rules, mitigating challenges that are presented to haulers with the current HOS rules.The bipartisan bill was introduced on May 24 by Senators Ben Sasse (R-NE), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Jon Tester (D), John Hoeven (R-ND), Tina Smith (D-MN), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Rand Paul (R-KY), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Doug Jones (D-AL).With the Oct. 1 deadline nearing for haulers to start using Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) it was vital that Congress listen to the statements of rural America about the unique nature of livestock hauling. Current HOS rules do not take into considerations the challenges of hauling live animals. A livestock hauler has the responsibility of getting their cargo to their destination as quickly and safely as possible. The hauler does not have the luxury of letting livestock sit on a trailer in sometimes extreme heat or cold while they take their mandatory 10-hour break.Transporting Livestock Across America Safely Act (TLAA) Fast Facts:

• Providing that HOS and ELD requirements are inapplicable until after a driver travels more than 300-air miles from their source. Drive time for HOS purposes does not start until after 300-air mile threshold.
• Exempts loading and unloading times from the HOS calculation of driving time.
• Extends the HOS on-duty time maximum hour requirement from 11 hours to a minimum of 15 hours and a maximum of 18 hours of on-duty time.
• Grants flexibility for drivers to rest at any point during their trip without counting against HOS time.
• Allows drivers to complete their trip – regardless of HOS requirements – if they come within 150-air miles of their delivery point.
• After the driver completes their delivery and the truck is unloaded, the driver will take a break for a period that is 5 hours less than the maximum on-duty time (10 hours if a 15 hour drive time).

We encourage Congress to act quickly on this legislation and provide livestock haulers with resolve before the ELD mandate takes effect on Oct. 1.