HELP Act

This bill would excuse certain animal-hauling trucks from federal rules that limit driving hours and require electronic logging devices. It says a “covered livestock hauling vehicle” does not have to follow hours-of-service limits or use an ELD. This also covers empty trucks that are on their way to pick up animals or returning after a delivery.

“Covered livestock” is broad. It includes traditional livestock, insects, other live animals raised for business, and live aquatic animals that are caught or farmed. The exemption applies to commercial motor vehicles carrying these animals.

Key points

• Who is affected: Drivers of commercial trucks hauling livestock, insects, other commercially raised animals, or live aquatic animals; also empty trucks headed to or from these loads.
• What changes: These trucks would be exempt from federal hours-of-service limits and from using electronic logging devices.