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Congress·In Committee·3 months ago

Congress considers expanding farm and livestock trucking exemptions from driving-hour limits

Also known as: HAULS Act of 2025

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
Senate
House
President

Impacts

Mixed Impacts(4)
Small Business Owner
Neutral
Gig Worker
Neutral
Farmer Rancher
Neutral
Child Tax Credit
Neutral

Key Points

  • Would expand when farm-related truck drivers can be exempt from federal limits on driving hours, focusing on trips within 150 air-miles of the load’s origin or destination.
  • Would remove the current tie to “planting and harvest” seasons set by each state, making the exemption less seasonal and more consistent nationwide.
  • Would treat livestock feed as covered (without the current seasonal language), which could make it easier to move feed year-round under the exemption.
  • Would update the federal definition of “agricultural commodity” to clearly include things like animals (including fish and insects), milk, eggs, honey, forestry and aquaculture products, and fresh or minimally processed produce.
  • If enacted, the Transportation Department would have 180 days to update the federal rule definition, affecting farmers, truckers, and food supply deliveries.
TransportationAgricultureLabor Employment

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Dec 17, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Dec 17, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

When the bill becomes law (effective date not specified in text)

Hours-of-service agriculture exemption shifts from state-set planting/harvest seasons to a 150 air-mile radius rule tied to source or destination.

Drivers and farms would rely less on state-by-state “season” dates and more on whether the trip is within the distance limit, which can change scheduling and compliance on many short-haul ag routes.

First 3–12 months after the bill becomes law

Carriers, farms, and enforcement update dispatch practices and compliance checks to match the new definition and exemption language.

Some drivers may be asked to make longer or more frequent runs under the exemption; others may see fewer paperwork disputes about what counts as an agricultural commodity.

Related News

7 articles
Commercial Carrier Journal (CCJ)·2 months ago

Bill to expand agricultural commodity short-haul exemption reintroduced

Covers the HAULS Act’s reintroduction and key provisions: year-round HOS relief, 150 air-mile destination-side flexibility, and an expanded/clarified “agricultural commodities” definition (incl. animals, aquaculture, feed).

C=
Overdrive·2 months ago

Senator wants more HOS relief for ag haulers

Explains how the HAULS Act would remove state-defined seasonal limits for HOS exemptions, expand the 150 air-mile exemption to the destination side, and broaden the definition of agricultural commodities (incl. animal products and feed).

C=
CDLLife·about 2 months ago

Bill to remove seasonal limits on Hours-of-Service relief for truckers hauling livestock and ag products

Reports on the HAULS Act announcement and summarizes the policy changes: ending seasonal restrictions, revising commodity definitions, and extending HOS flexibility with a 150 air-mile destination-side exemption.

CR=

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

HAULS Act of 2025

Bill NumberS 3552
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Sponsor

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.