ARA Expresses Strong Support for the BUILD America 250 Act

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) today expressed strong support for H.R. 8870, the BUILD America 250 Act, long-term surface transportation reauthorization legislation advanced by the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure. ARA President & CEO Daren Coppock submitted a formal letter of support to Committee Chairman Sam Graves, Ranking Member Rick Larsen, Subcommittee on Highways & Transit Chairman David Rouzer, and Ranking Member Eleanor Holmes Norton.

"Agricultural retailers are the critical link between manufacturers and the farmers and ranchers who feed America. The reliability of that link depends on a modern transportation system — safe roads and bridges, qualified commercial drivers, and federal rules that reflect the realities of agricultural freight. The BUILD America 250 Act addresses each of these needs in meaningful ways, and ARA is proud to support it. These provisions represent a meaningful step toward a transportation system that works with — rather than against — the agricultural supply chain," said Daren Coppock, ARA President & CEO

Included in this legislation is language requiring the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to assess the different state regulatory enforcement of the Seasonal Ag CDL program and its impact on the industry.

Seasonal CDL reform is a top priority for ARA, and ARA stands ready to work alongside the Committee and its staff to secure passage of the BUILD America 250 Act in the House and urges the Senate to act on highway reauthorization legislation that reflects ARA's transportation policy priorities for agricultural retailers and the supply chain they serve.  ARA appreciates Rep. Tracey Mann’s (R-Kansas) leadership on this issue.

ARA’s letter of support can be found here.

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