HAULS Act of 2025
Congress considers expanding farm and livestock trucking exemptions from driving-hour limits
Legislative Progress
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.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
How this policy affects specific groups of people
Milestones
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
7 articles
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).
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).
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.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
HAULS Act of 2025
Data Sources
Sponsor
Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.