Legislature Passes Bill To Raise Dairy Hauling Weights

US - Gov. Martin O’Malley is expected to sign legislation that will increase hauling weights for dairy trucks transporting raw liquid milk to processing plants.
calendar icon 18 April 2007
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Proponents of House Bill 420, which was passed by the Senate in the closing hours of the 2007 legislative session, say it will make the hauling operation more “efficient and effective,” and thus add some black ink to the bottom line of dairy operations.

Dairy farmers are billed directly by the haulers for getting their milk to the processors.

“It’s one of those bills I feel will help to enhance the dairy industry and especially the production industry in cutting costs,” said Del. Paul Stull (R-Dist. 4A), who sponsored the bill.

Stull is a member of the Maryland Dairy Industry Oversight and Advisory Council and is the ranking Republican member on the House Environmental Matters Committee.

Dairy trucks will be permitted to carry 7,000 more pounds of raw milk, increasing the current limit of 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight to 87,000 pounds gross vehicle weight in Maryland. The bill calls for an exceptional hauling permit, which costs $500 a year per vehicle, and two inspections a year.

Supporters of the bill contend that the increased hauling weight will help farmers financially, keep milk hauling and milk processing jobs in Maryland, save fuel costs, decrease emissions and make the process of delivering pasteurized milk to the consumer more efficient. 

Source: American Farm
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