Federal Register Notice - https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/11/24/2020-25971/hours-of-service-of-drivers-definition-of-agricultural-commodity

ACTION: Interim final rule with request for comment.

SUMMARY: FMCSA clarifies the definition of the terms “any agricultural commodity,” “livestock,” and 
“non-processed food,” as the terms are used in the definition of “agricultural commodity” for the 
purposes of the Agency’s “Hours of Service (HOS) of Drivers” regulations. Under current 
regulations, drivers transporting agricultural commodities, including livestock, from the source of 
the commodities to a location within 150 air miles of the source, during harvest and planting 
seasons as defined by each State, are exempt from the HOS requirements. Furthermore, the HOS 
requirement for a 30-minute rest break does not apply to drivers transporting livestock in 
interstate commerce while the livestock are on the commercial motor vehicle. This interim final 
rule (IFR) clarifies the meaning of these existing definitional terms to ensure that the
HOS exemptions are utilized as Congress intended.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Richard Clemente, Driver and Carrier Operations Division, 
FMCSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001, (202) 366-4325, MCPSD@dot.gov. If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, contact Dockets Operations, (202) 366–9826.