Sen. Deb Fischer Reintroduces Legislation to Update Livestock Hauling Rules

Sen. Deb Fischer reintroduces the HAULS Act to update hours-of-service exemptions and definitions affecting livestock and agricultural haulers. She joins us on Market Day Report to share more about her proposed legislation.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV) — Senator Deb Fischer, R-NE, recently reintroduced legislation that would change federal hours of service rules in an effort to revamp the livestock hauling industry. The “HAULS Act” would update the application of those exemptions and the federal government’s definition of agricultural commodities.

Sen. Fischer joined us on Tuesday’s Market Day Report to walk through her legislation and discuss its implications for ag transportation.

In an interview with RFD-TV News, Sen. Fischer explains what prompted her to reintroduce the HAULS Act and how it differs from the House version, the “HELP Act.” She also explained how the proposed legislation would change the current hours-of-service exemptions for agricultural and livestock haulers and update the federal definition of “agricultural commodity” and the products included. She also shared what the 150 Air Mile Exemption would accomplish on the haul destination side of the bill.

Finally, Fischer outlined the next steps for the bill and how producers and haulers can help advance the legislation.

Related Stories
A new maritime biofuels coalition aims to position ocean shipping as a significant growth market for U.S. crops and waste-derived fuels.
Sponsored
Golden Harvest’s Corn Technical Product Lead, Todd McRoberts, unveils their line of Northern corn hybrids built for resilience and performance in colder climates.
Transportation access, legal disputes, and fertilizer freight costs will directly influence input pricing and grain movement in 2026.
Mexico plans to release 202,000 acre-feet of water into the Rio Grande, offering temporary relief to South Texas farmers as Congress advances the PERMIT Act.
Analysts say that while low-income households are facing financial pressures, other middle- and higher-income consumers are helping fill the gap for retail beef demand.
Despite China’s sharp drop in grain purchases this year, new USDA export data this week shows that even some buying activity from the trade giant still moves the markets.
Corn and wheat exports remain supportive, but weaker soybean demand — especially from China — continues to pressure oilseed markets.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD-TV and The Cowboy Channel. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, adding a decade of experience in the digital side of broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Tim and Sharyn Abbott of the Music City Celebration Sale recap the weekend’s premier auction, which drew top dairy breeders and buyers to Nashville again this year from across North America.
The bill to once again allow schools to offer whole milk and 2% milk will now go to President Trump for approval.
Plans are underway for the 27th annual Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade, a June event celebrating farm heritage, tractor history, and rural traditions. Event manager Matt Kenney joins us to highlight the importance of commemorating farm heritage.
Farm Legal Expert Roger McEowen with the Washburn School of Law joins us to share more about the North Dakota court decision and the its larger impact on agriculture.
Fertilizer markets face uncertainty after President Trump raised the possibility of tariffs on Canadian imports, with analysts warning of supply and pricing risks. Josh Linville with StoneX provides a fertilizer industry outlook.
Frigid winter weather and rapid temperature swings have cattle markets watching closely for livestock stress, as analysts say fluctuations pose the greatest risk.