Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow, D-Red Bay, has introduced a joint resolution in the House of Representatives encouraging Congress to provide relief from a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulation.

HJR 198 would urge Congress to provide greater flexibility to the Department of Transportation rule requiring the use of an electronic logging device (ELD) for commercial vehicles and those with a commercial drivers license. 

Although some exemptions apply and livestock haulers have been granted a temporary waiver, the mandate is expected to cost $2 billion and have a disproportionate impact on small businesses. Cattlemen and equine enthusiasts are especially concerned about how the rule could affect families engaged in livestock shows. 

The rule on ELDs — which automatically record a person’s driving hours — was published in 2015. ELD requirements on trucks hauling agricultural commodities and livestock are temporarily delayed until March 18. The Alabama Farmers Federation, American Farm Bureau Federation and other national trade associations are pursuing exemptions to help farmers.