Motor Carrier Safety Regulations Affect PA Farmers

State Representative Marguerite Quinn understands the importance to our overall state economy of protecting our number one industry from excessive restrictions. The success of the Pennsylvania farmer is important to all Pennsylvania residents. Not only do our farmers put food on our tables, but they contribute a large portion to the Commonwealth’s economy. Many farmers are already on shaky economic ground as prices for animal feed and other products necessary to agricultural operations continue to rise, while their already slim profit margins shrink.

Quick Facts:

Pennsylvania's 63,200 farms (occupying nearly 8 million acres) are the backbone of the state's economy, producing a wide variety of crops. Leading commodities are dairy products, cattle and calves, mushrooms, greenhouse and nursery products, poultry and eggs, a variety of fruits, sweet corn, potatoes, maple syrup, and Christmas trees.  Farm's with 1-99 acres in size comprise 64% of the farms in Pa while 32% of the Pa farms are 100-499 acres in size. 

Pennsylvania has 9 targeted industry clusters that are important to the Commonwealth’s economy. They are: Agriculture-Food Production, Building-Construction, Business-Financial Services, Education, Information-Communication Services, Life Sciences, Logistics-Transportation, and Lumber-Paper -Wood Products.

Information from Marguerite Quinn - Pennsylvania Farm Bureau - State Legislative Conference

The source of the following information is from State Representative Marguerite Quinn's Newsletter - News You Can Use.

Last week members of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau (PFB) visited the Capitol to educate members about the importance of maintaining a healthy agriculture industry because it is Pennsylvania’s number one industry.

One issue of great importance is ensuring new motor carrier safety regulations will not place an undue burden on agricultural operations. Pennsylvania had to update its regulations to meet a federally set deadline of March 31 to avoid losing $28 million in federal funding.

In an effort to shield farmers from the regulations, the Commonwealth has provided some exemptions to farmers during the growing season, which has now been extended to cover the entire calendar year.

The regulations do not change the ability of licensed drivers under the age of 18 to operate farm equipment weighing less than 17,000 pounds on roadways, but will place the following restrictions on farm vehicles:

-Individuals under the age of 18 are not permitted to drive a truck-trailer farm vehicle combination exceeding 17,000 pounds on public roads.

-Operators of single-unit farm vehicles traveling more than 150 miles from the farm must possess a medical certification.

-A record of vehicle maintenance must be kept for a single unit farm vehicle exceeding 17,000 pounds operating under a certificate of exemption.

-A pre- and post-trip inspection must be completed for a single unit farm vehicle greater than 17,000 pounds operating under a certificate of exemption.

The exemptions provided to agricultural vehicles include:

-Hours of service requirements and the keeping of logs and time records are waived during the growing season, while operating within a 100-mile radius.

-Pre-employment road testing and obtaining driving history requirements for drivers of farm vehicles are waived. The vehicle must be operated within 150 miles of the farm in order for this waiver to apply.

-Non-Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) farm truck drivers who operate beyond the 100-mile radius but within 150 miles of their normal work reporting location will not be required to keep logs, but will be subject to hour limitations and time-keeping requirements.

-Operators of single-unit farm vehicles within 150 miles of the farm are exempt from possessing a medical certification.

It is my understanding that legislation is being drafted to address this issue; however, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration released a warning that the proposed legislation would put the federal aid in jeopardy. Read the full release from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

I understand the importance to our overall state economy of protecting our number one industry from excessive restrictions. Many farmers are already on shaky economic ground as prices for animal feed and other products necessary to agricultural operations continue to rise, while their already slim profit margins shrink.

I will continue to keep you informed as information becomes available.

State Representative Marguerite Quinn

Source:

Superior Woodcraft, Inc.
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