WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb) praised the Senate’s passage of her amendment that would extend the electronic logging device (ELD) waiver for livestock haulers by one year, while she continues working to make the hours-of-service requirements more flexible. Senator Fischer, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and the Senate Commerce Committee, has continued to fight for hours-of-service relief and issued the following statement: 

“Nebraskans who transport livestock face unique challenges. Today the Senate passed my amendment to delay electronic logging device requirements for livestock haulers for one year. With this extension, we will have more time to bring common-sense to these rules and provide additional flexibility.” 

Senator Fischer worked closely with Senate Commerce Committee leadership, Chairman John Thune and Ranking Member Bill Nelson, to include her ELD amendment in the Minibus Appropriations bill that passed the Senate.

Senator Fischer first brought concerns about the inflexibility of hours-of-service requirements to Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao in August of 2017. Senator Fischer held subsequent meetings with leadership at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to stress the need for flexible hours-of-service.

Following those meetings, the agency extended the temporary waiver from the ELD requirement for ag and livestock haulers while it continued reviewing its guidance. Additionally, Senator Fischer worked to ensure an extension of the ELD waiver for livestock haulers the through September 30, 2018, was signed into law in March. In May, FMCSA issued its guidance on hours-of-service requirements that provided some flexibility for truckers, including livestock haulers. Senator Fischer has continued working to expand on that hours-of-service flexibility, both with the administration and members of the Senate. 

The livestock industry plays a critical role in the viability of Nebraska’s agriculture industry and the state’s economy. Nebraska ranks first in the country for cattle on feed, second in total number of cattle and calves, and sixth in hog production.