Protecting Montana’s Rodeo

Congressman Greg Gianforte  today urge the Department of Transportation to clarify regulations that put an unnecessary burden on recreational rodeo competitors.

Gianforte wants to make clear exemptions for the use of recreational horse trailers under commercial driver’s license regulations. A bipartisan group of  House members signed and sent the letter to the Deputy Administrator with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Gianforte said I want to highlight another example of federal overreach that threatens our Montana and Western way of life.Greg

Unclear federal regulations could force millions of Americans, who recreationally compete in rodeos or participate in other equestrian events, to get a commercial driver’s license.

But these are not folks competing for their livelihood.

In a recent story in the Billings Gazette, Andy Bolich, head coach of the Montana State University Rodeo team, said, “For the most part, around Montana, I would say rodeo is a hobby for most people.”

And yet federal regulations could force these rodeo participants to wade through unnecessary, costly red tape for their hobby.

That’s why I recently led a letter, which a bipartisan group of 26 colleagues signed, to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. We urge the Department of Transportation to clarify how the CDL regulations treat those who participate recreationally in rodeo events.... we must continue reforming, rolling back, and repealing unnecessary regulations to protect our Montana and Western way of life.

Dominick