STUDY OF THE TRANSPORTATION OF FERTILIZER AND AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS TO FARMERS.

SEC. 2517. STUDY OF THE TRANSPORTATION OF FERTILIZER AND AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS TO FARMERS. (a) Study.— The Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct a study regarding the transportation of fertilizer, agricultural pesticides, and agricultural use hazardous materials such as fuel to the farm. Such study shall include a review and analysis of— (1) the transportation of fertilizer, fuels (such as liquid propane gas, diesel, gasoline heating oil, methane, and others), and agricultural pesticides to farms by farmers, hired farm labor, and agribusiness, including— (A) safety practices used, the type of the equipment used, roads traveled, and employees engaged in such transportation; and (B) any significant distinctions between transportation by retail dealers and transportation by farmers; (2) Federal and State requirements imposed on the transportation of fertilizer, fuels, and agricultural pesticides by farmers, hired farm labor, and agribusiness retail dealers to farms (and exemptions, exclusions or waivers authorized under such requirements), including— (A) commercial driver’s license requirements; (B) driver qualification requirements; (C) alcohol and drug testing requirements; and (D) worker safety requirements; (3) the compliance by farmers and retail dealers and their employees with such Federal and State requirements and the costs associated with compliance; 104 STAT. 4078 (4) the safety history associated with the transport of fertilizers, fuel, and pesticides by farmers and retail dealers and their employees; and (5) the impact on rural communities, employment, and the cost and availability of fertilizer, fuel, and agricultural pesticides associated with complying with such Federal and State requirements. (b) Report.— Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall publish a report of such study and analyses (including comments on the adequacy of existing Federal and State requirements or exemptions) and submit the report to the appropriate committees of Congress. (c) Authorization of Appropriations.— For the purpose of fulfilling the study, analyses, and reporting requirements under this section, there is authorized to be appropriated not more than $75,000.