Alabama

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6/11/07-Gov. Bob Riley signed a bill into law exempting farm trucks in the state from some federal safety regulations.
The new law, previously HB432 exempts mostly farm vehicles up to 13 tons that operate solely intrastate from some federal motor carrier safety regulations, including the number of hours drivers may be at the wheel. It also exempts affected drivers from physical exams.
The bill also provides that the state's planting and harvesting season be all year.
The governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the House would be allowed to change the legislation if federal funding is threatened.

6/6/07-The Legislature has approved a revised effort that would exempt farm trucks in the state from some federal safety regulations.
House lawmakers voted 91-3 to approve the exemption bill after the Senate approved it by unanimous consent. HB432 now heads to Gov. Bob Riley's desk.
The revised version would exempt mostly farm vehicles up to 13 tons that operate solely intrastate from some federal motor carrier safety regulations, including the number of hours drivers may be at the wheel. It also would exempt affected drivers from physical exams.
The bill also would provide that the state's planting and harvesting season would be all year.
As introduced, the bill sought to include in the exemption many types of non-farm trucks, including gravel, log, garbage and construction haulers.
In an attempt to ease concerns about the bill intended to aid small farmers who sometimes rarely use such vehicles on public roads and highways, advocates tweaked the bill to allow the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the House to change the legislation if federal funding is threatened.
For bill status, call (334) 242-7627. In Alabama, call 1-800-499-3052.

4/27/07-The House voted 101-12 to approve a bill that would exempt commercial vehicles up to 13 tons that operate solely intrastate from federal safety regulations. It now heads to the Senate for further consideration.
Sponsored by Rep. Richard Lindsey, D-Centre, HB432 would exempt trucks weighing 10,001 pounds to 26,001 pounds from safety regulations, including the number of hours drivers may be at the wheel. It also would exempt affected drivers from physical exams.
The bill also would provide that the state's planting and harvesting season would be all year. The designation would allow farm vehicles to be exempted from federal hours-of-service rules.
The bill is awaiting assignment to committee in the Senate.
For bill status, call (334) 242-7627. In Alabama, call 1-800-499-3052.
A similar Senate bill - SB258 - is awaiting consideration on the Senate floor.