Altoona Times

The state Senate has approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) and Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) that would exempt milk haulers from travel bans imposed during a declaration of disaster emergency.

The proposal would allow licensed milk haulers to transport milk on highways even during weather-related commercial travel bans. These vehicles would be required to display a decal developed and issued by the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board.

"Travel restrictions can be tools that help to promote public safety, but any such restrictions need to consider unique industries, like the dairy industry," Ward said. "The dairy industry is truly a 24 hours-per-day, seven-days-per-week, 365 days-a-year operation involving a highly perishable product – raw milk – and the laws and regulations governing it need to reflect this reality. We need to pass commonsense legislation that makes it easier, not harder, for our dairy farmers to continue farming and providing our food supply with high-quality milk product."

"While I appreciate the concerns raised around the operation of commercial vehicles during travel restrictions, an exception for milk hauling is necessary because of the perishable nature of the product," Yaw said. "Milking schedules can't be changed to comply with weather or travel restrictions."

Ward and Yaw re-introduced the bill this session after hearing from dairy producers and processors who have had to dispose of milk due to weather-related commercial vehicle travel bans rather than have it transported to market. The legislation is similar to House Bill 915 from the 2019-20 session, which was vetoed by Gov. Tom Wolf.

Senate Bill 153 was approved by a vote of 34-14 and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Residents can follow Ward on Facebook at Facebook.com/SenJudyWard and Twitter @SenatorJWard for news about legislation and the 30th Senate District. Contact information for her district offices and other information can be found on her website at SenatorJudyWard.com, where constituents can also sign up for her e-newsletter at SenatorJudyWard.com/enewsletters.

For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Senator Yaw's website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or follow him on Facebook and Twitter @SenatorGeneYaw.

Contact:

Nathan Akers (Ward)

717-787-2421

Elizabeth Weitzel (Yaw)

717-787-3280