The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association said the House will hold a hearing in November on the latest federal hours-of-service rule for truck drivers.
OOIDA announced to members that it has been asked to testify before the House Small Business Committee on how new rule has affected truckers’ bottom line. It’s unclear what other organizations have been asked to participate.
The committee declined to confirm that it is planning the hearing.
“Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration hours-of-service regulations are very important to Small Business Committee Chairman Sam Graves, (R-MO),” committee spokesman DJ Jordan said in an e-mail. “We are considering holding a hearing on the impact on transportation small business in November, although nothing has been finalized.”
OOIDA has asked members to complete a 14-question survey about how the rules have affected business, and plans to include the results in testimony to the committee, the organization said in an Oct. 25 message to members.
“The association needs your information as a representative of the trucking industry. This is an opportunity for your voice to be heard,” according to a copy of the statement provided by OOIDA.
Trucking executives have said the new regulations have hurt productivity and drivers’ wallets. The rule, which took effect July 1, altered the “34-hour restart” provision to require drivers get at least two consecutive nights of rest periods between 1 and 5 a.m. before resuming. Drivers also are required to take a 30-minute break during the first eight hours of a shift.
