A bill to amend the definition of commercial motor vehicle in section 31101 of title 49, United States Code, to exclude certain farm vehicles, and for other purposes.

Madam Speaker, today I am proud to introduce, on behalf of myself and my colleague Adrian Smith of Nebraska, the House companion bill to S. 639--bill to help farmers and ranchers transport their commodities more easily.

Being a member of both the Agriculture and the Transportation Committees, I understand how critical it is that both sectors be able to work together to facilitate the movement of commodities. Representing a largely agricultural district, I know the struggles farmers go through to transport their crops, especially in this time of ever fluctuating gas prices. We need to be doing what we can to relieve farmers of unnecessary transportation rules and regulations when they follow safe and responsible procedures.

When a farmer drives goods of over 10,001 pounds across state lines, they becomes subject to the rules and regulations of commercial motor vehicles. Within their own State, the farmer is not violating any laws; however, once they become an ``interstate carrier'' the farmer is then responsible for all of the requirements of an operator of a commercial motor vehicle. These requirements include having a commercial driver's license, Department of Transportation certification on the vehicle, being subject to drug and alcohol testing in addition to having a medical examination certificate, and recording hours of service. For those farmers who are occasionally transporting their goods across state lines and are not driving trucks for a living, these requirements are an unnecessary burden. These costly regulations are taking an unfair toll on farmers and this legislation will correct that. This legislation would exempt farmers from the 10,001 pound definition of a Commercial Motor Vehicle when traveling between States and will reduce undue burdens on farmers.