Will the ELD Rule be put on Hold?

Babin’s ELD bill gains more momentum, even more co-sponsors

By Greg Grisolano, Land Line Digital Content Editor | Friday, July 28, 2017

 


A growing number of U.S. representatives are adding their names to a bill that would delay the electronic logging device deadline until December 2019.


Rep. Brian Babin, R-Texas, introduced the bill in the House of Representatives on July 18 seeking a delay of the electronic logging mandate for two years. The bill, H.R. 3282, is called the ELD Extension Act of 2017.

As of Friday, support for the bill has grown to 29 co-sponsors. The latest names added to the list are:

  • Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas
  • Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D.
  • Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Kan.
  • Rep. Stephen Knight, R-Calif.
  • Rep. Kenny Marchant, R-Texas
  • Rep. Tom Marino, R-Pa.
  • Rep. Roger Marshall, R-Kan.
  • Rep. Kristi Noem, R-S.D.
  • Rep. Pete Olson, R-Texas
  • Rep. Todd Rokita, R-Ind.
  • Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wis.
  • Rep. John Shimkus, R-Ill.
  • Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo.
  • Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Pa.
  • Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Ind.
  • Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-Kan.

OOIDA Director of Government Affairs Mike Matousek credits members of the Association who have called their lawmakers for the growing support.

“We’re pleased with the amount of support we’re getting from Congress,” Matousek said. “A big thanks to all of our members who are calling their lawmakers in D.C. It’s definitely working, and we hope everyone keeps up the good work.”

Thirteen legislators added their names as co-signers within days of the bill’s introduction. They are:

  • Rep. Rick W. Allen, R-Ga.
  • Rep. Glenn Grothman R-Wis.
  • Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa
  • Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif.
  • Rep. Frank D. Lucas, R-Okla.
  • Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky.
  • Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C.
  • Rep. Bill Posey, R-Fla.
  • Rep. Steve Stivers, R-Ohio
  • Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas
  • Rep. Patrick J. Tiberi, R-Ohio
  • Rep. Randy K. Weber Sr., R-Texas
  • Rep. David Young, R-Iowa

Outside the halls of Congress, industry stakeholders are signing on in support of the legislation. According to Babin’s staff, in addition to the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, there are 16 more groups, associations and businesses backing the bill.

Supporters include:

  • Agricultural Retailers Association
  • American Farm Bureau Federation
  • American Pyrotechnics Association
  • Associated Equipment Distributors
  • Lucas Oil
  • Mid-West Truckers Association
  • National Aquaculture Association
  • National Association of Small Trucking Companies
  • National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
  • National Cotton Council
  • National Grain and Feed Association
  • National Ground Water Association
  • National Hay Association
  • National Motorists Association
  • National Pork Producers Council
  • National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
  • Petroleum Marketers Association of America
  • Towing and Recovery Association of America

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association issued a Call to Action shortly after the bill was introduced encouraging its members to support the legislation.

“After months of meeting with lawmakers and explaining the harmful impacts ELDs will have on small-business truckers, OOIDA believes the passage of this bill is our best chance to defeat the mandate. We are now at a critical stage where adding Congressional co-sponsors to the legislation will help the delay get signed into law, and we need your help. Please contact your representative and tell them to co-sponsor H.R. 3282 today.”

– OOIDA Call To Action

Babin spoke to Land Line Now Host Mark Reddig on July 20. In the interview he explained his strong connection to trucking.

“I used to be a truck driver at one time. I have done a lot of things in my life. I wound up a dentist. But at one time I started out driving a truck in the military and also drove a lumber truck down in Texas,” Babin told Reddig. “I have a big place in my heart for truck drivers.”

Truckers who have communicated with Babin since the rule was enacted and as the compliance deadline approaches played a role in his decision to introduce the bill. He also encouraged truckers to call their own lawmakers and rally support for H.R. 3282.

“What (truckers) need to do is they need to call and tell their congressmen that they are tax-paying citizens. They’re raising their families. They’re making their communities better places to live, and they have an honest, good job,” Babin told Land Line Now. “They’re moving our goods and our services across this country, and they want good highways and they want less government interference. They want the government to please get out of the way and let them do what they’re trained to do.

“Each one out there, call and ask their congressmen to co-sponsor this bill H.R. 3282 and call the switchboard at the Capitol, which is 202-224-3121. Or they can go look them up on House.gov and they can send their message that way.”

The introduction of Babin’s bill follows the first congressional call for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to consider a delay on the logging mandate as well.

On July 17, the House Committee on Appropriations voted on the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Funding bill for fiscal year 2018. The committee held a markup hearing and voted 31-20 to report the bill to the full House for consideration.

The committee issued a report to accompany the bill, which details the members’ thinking and recommendations to the full House when considering the bill. While report language does not necessarily carry the weight of law, it outlines the “intent of Congress” and directs actions by agencies.

The report accompanying the THUD bill details concerns over the impending logging mandate.

“In light of the heavy burden of this mandate, especially on small carriers, the committee directs the Department (of Transportation) to analyze whether a full or targeted delay in ELD implementation and enforcement would be appropriate and, if so, what options DOT has within its statutory authority to provide temporary regulatory relief until all ELD implementation challenges can be resolved,” the report states.

To underscore the committee’s concern, it ordered FMCSA to report back to both the House and Senate committees within 60 days of the passage of the THUD legislation.

Managing Editor Jami Jones contributed to this report.

Story Credit: https://www.landlinemag.com/Story.aspx?StoryID=33810#.WX9yOojyvIW

Photo Credit: Israel Lord

 

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