The American Soybean Association (ASA) continues to push Congress to complete a long-term highway bill that includes a number of policy provisions important to farmers and the agricultural industry. The top priority for ASA is inclusion of a provision to allow states to increase truck weight limits on federal interstate highways.  The agriculture coalition letter sent this week covers several ag transportation issues that might be addressed in the Highway bill, including:

• Positive Train Control (PTC)
• Trucking Efficiency and Productivity
• Commercial Driver Access
• Motor Carrier Regulation
• Endorsements
• Hours-of-Service Rule for Livestock and Poultry Covered Farm Vehicles Port Performance Data Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization/Rail Reform Legislation

In addition to ASA, other groups that have signed on to the letter that so far includes the Agricultural Retailers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Corn Growers Association, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Grain and Feed Association, North American Millers' Association, National Barley Growers Association, National Sunflower Association, U.S. Canola Association and USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council.

The Senate passed their version of the highway bill and is awaiting action by the House so they can proceed to a Conference Committee to reconcile likely differences in the their two bills. The temporary extension of highway bill authorization expires on Oct. 31, 2015.

The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee is expected to mark-up their bill sometime in September.  A key issue to be resolved for the bill to move forward is how it will be funded over the long-term when gas tax receipts into the highway trust fund will not be sufficient to cover the desired spending levels.