Transportation (Freight · Agriculture)

This bill, the HAULS Act of 2025, modifies federal rules for transporting agricultural goods by removing seasonal restrictions on truck drivers. It eliminates the requirement that agricultural transport must occur "during planting and harvest periods" and expands the definition of "agricultural commodity" to include livestock (like fish and insects), nonprocessed animal products (milk, eggs, honey), and minimally processed fruits/vegetables. The change directly affects commercial drivers transporting these expanded categories of goods within a 150-mile radius of their source or destination. The key mechanism is the updated definition, requiring the Transportation Secretary to revise federal regulations within 180 days to include these new categories.

This bill modernizes restrictions on commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) for seasonal agricultural workers. It requires the Transportation Secretary to create online systems for farm-related businesses and seasonal workers to easily renew restricted CDLs within one year of enactment. The bill also clarifies that agricultural equipment ("implements of husbandry") are not considered commercial vehicles and are exempt from weight calculations. These changes directly affect seasonal farm workers and agricultural service businesses that rely on specialized vehicle operations. The policy focuses on simplifying license renewals and removing regulatory confusion around farm equipment.