Larry Pressler: “earlier this year the U.S. Custom Harvesters held their annual meeting in Sioux Falls, SD. South Dakotans put out the…”

“earlier this year the U.S. Custom Harvesters held their annual meeting in Sioux Falls, SD. South Dakotans put out the welcome mat for custom harvesters throughout the country, and the annual meeting was a resounding success. During that meeting it was brought to my attention that custom harvesters were not granted equal treatment as farmers and farm workers under Federal laws requiring commercial driving licenses [CDL]. Presently, States can grant waivers to the Federal CDL requirement to farmers and farm workers. Those same waiver requirements are not afforded to custom harvesters. In many parts of the country, including South Dakota, custom harvesters are a crucial component in agricultural production. The bill I am introducing today simply grants States the right to waive CDL requirements for custom harvesters similar to those waivers currently afforded farmers and farm-related businesses. Joining me in this effort are Senators Burns, Inhofe, Daschle, and Baucus. Mr. President, customer harvesters normally drive less than 5,000 miles per year. They drive mostly on roads leading to and from farms and to the local grain elevator. Little time is spent on highways. Generally, custom harvesters drive less that 500 miles annually on interstate highways. It is a simple matter of fairness that they be treated equally. My bill would provide relief to custom harvesters from onerous and costly CDL requirements.”