Political Quotes

“today I rise to correct an unintentional Federal burden that has been placed on a sector of our Nation's agricultural community. The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 subjected operators of large trucks and buses to new regulations including the requirement that States devise a commercial driver's license [CDL] program by April 1, 1992. The intent of this act was to improve highway safety by requiring a higher level of qualification and knowledge for those engaged in commercial trucking activities and was primarily aimed at addressing the safety issue of over-the-road, long-haul truckers. In 1988, the Federal Highway Administration [FHwA] granted States the authority to waive the CDL requirements for farmers and others who operate large vehicles incidental to their occupations. States retained the right to impose restrictions and conditions on those for whom the waiver was applied. Unfortunately, the CDL requirement continues to apply to many vehicle operators who are neither a highway safety hazard or engaged in commercial trucking enterprises. Such is the case of those engaged in the unique, seasonal business of harvesting the Nation's crops.”