IL HR0470

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) began classifying crop-share tenant farmers as "for-hire" carriers and farm equipment as "commercial motor vehicles," eliminating Commercial Driver's License exemptions for farmers.

"For-hire" designation requires crop-share tenant farmers to obtain minimum $750,000 in insurance coverage and affects approximately 37% of Illinois farmland acres farmed under crop-share arrangements in 2009.

House urges FMCSA to reconsider its interpretation, asserting that grain transportation under crop-share agreements should not be classified as for-hire transportation without a separate transportation agreement between tenant and landlord.

House contends that implements of husbandry should not be classified as commercial motor vehicles under Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and that the form of landlord compensation (crop-share versus cash rent) should not change a farmer's carrier classification.

Illinois House requests copies of the resolution be sent to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary, and members of the Illinois congressional delegation.