top of page

May 2015

 

IMHA Succeeds in Passing Tank Inspection Changes at NCIMS


After months of preparation, IMHA Directors were successful in passing a change to the annual tank inspection from once a year to every 2 years, alleviating the burden on larger carriers that transport across the U.S. Directors present were: Tom O'Carroll, United Dairymen of Arizona; Bob Gilchrist, Agri-Mark; Rancel Clark, WD Logistics; and Cherie Houser, IMHA Executive Director.

The conference, held the last week of April in Portland, Oregon, drew 360 attendees who represented dairy regulators from 49 states and Puerto Rico, FDA and more than 150 companies and stakeholders. Of the 100 proposals under consideration, the attendees passed 49. Changes accepted at the NCIMS Conference are applicable to Grade “A” dairy farms, processing plants and milk products. FDA is expected to issue the final report in October 2015 and require implementation by October 2016, unless other dates are specifically noted.

 

The change was effective December 2015.

Accomplishments

 

IMHA succesfully achieves passage of changing the tank inspection timeframe from every year to every 24 months at the 2015 NCIMS. The change should be effective October 2016, alleviating burdonsome timing in having the tanks inspected for both state regulatory and industry.

 

IMHA was part of the NE Coalition's success in changing 'liquid milk products' as a non-divisible load in the Federal Code, allowing states to issues permits for weight limits.

 

The IMHA Board of Directors have been very active in getting involved with other industry association to ensure awareness of milk haulers and their impact on the dairy industry.

 

IMHA has membership with IDFA, NMPF, DPC, and AFTC. The Board has worked with US FDA on Food Securement risk assessment and were instrumental in creating understanding of how milk is moved.

 

Please consider joining today to support these efforts. We look forward to having you support and input!

December 2015

 

Milk Hauling Amendment Included in Final Highway Bill - FAST Act, signed into law Dec. 4, 2015.

 

The bipartisan amendment, sponsored by Reps. Richard Hanna of New York and Elizabeth Esty of Connecticut and championed by House Transportation Committee Conferee Rep. Reid Ribble of Wisconsin, gives states the option to issue permits allowing milk haulers to increase their truck weights beyond Interstate Highway System limits. This would allow milk trucks in some states to carry more product without being forced to offload portions of it at other state borders.

 

The amendment was supported by a bipartisan group of lawmakers in both the Senate and House. The House is expected to vote on the bill later this week and the Senate shortly thereafter.  No amendments can be offered to a Conference Report and it is expected that the Highway Bill final Conference Report will pass in both legislative bodies and the President has indicated he will sign it. 

SEC. 1409. MILK PRODUCTS.
Section 127(a) of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:


''(13) MILK PRODUCTS.-A vehicle carrying fluid milk products shall be considered a load that cannot be easily dismantled or divided.''.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

FHWA Non-divisible load definition – Means any load or vehicle exceeding applicable length or weight limits which, if separated into smaller loads or vehicles, would: (1) Compromise the intended use of the vehicle, i.e., make it unable to perform the function for which it was intended; (2) Destroy the value of the load or vehicle, i.e., make it unusable for its intended purpose; or (3) Require more than 8 workhours to dismantle using appropriate equipment.

 

The applicant for a non-divisible load permit has the burden of proof as to the number of workhours required to dismantle the load. A State may (but is not required to) treat emergency response vehicles, casks designed for the transport of spent nuclear materials, and military vehicles transporting marked military equipment or material as non-divisible vehicles or loads. [23 CFR §658.5]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Permits may be issued by the States without regard to the axle, gross, or Federal bridge formula requirements for nondivisible vehicles or loads. Nondivisible is defined as any load or vehicle exceeding applicable length or weight limits which, if separated into smaller loads or vehicles, would:

 

  • Compromise the intended use of the vehicle, i.e., make it unable to perform the function for which it was intended;

  • Destroy the value of the load or vehicle, i.e., make it unusable for its intended purpose; or

  • Require more than 8 work hours to dismantle using appropriate equipment. The applicant for a nondivisible load permit has the burden of proof as to the number of workhours required to dismantle the load.

 

Each state will have the option to make changes to its regulations and permitting, as it chooses. This is not a requirement for each state to change its permitting.

 

State Oversize/Overweight Load Permit Contacts

To obtain State permits, you will need to contact the State(s) in which you wish to travel. See below for the State permitting contact by telephone.

 

  • Alabama   800-499-2782

  • Alaska   907-365-1200

  • Arizona   602-771-2960 - Issuing permits

  • Arkansas   501-569-2381

  • California   916-322-1297

  • Colorado   800-350-3765

  • Connecticut   860-594-2878 - Issuing permits

  • Delaware   302-744-2700

  • District of Columbia   202-442-4670

  • Florida   850-410-5777

  • Georgia   888-262-8306

  • Hawaii   808-831-6712

  • Idaho  208-334-8420

  • Illinois   217-785-1477

  • Indiana   317-615-7320- Issuing permits eff 7.1.18 (permit information)

  • Iowa   515-237-3264

  • Kansas Special Permits   785-368-6501

  • Kentucky   502-564-1257

  • Louisiana   225-343-2345 or 800-654-1433

  • Maine   207-624-9000, extension 52134

  • Maryland   800-846-6435 - Issuing permits

  • Massachusetts   781-431-5148

  • Michigan   844-636-8373

  • Minnesota   651-296-6000

  • Mississippi   888-737-0061 or 601-359-1717

  • Missouri   866-831-6277

  • Montana   406-444-7262

  • Nebraska   402-471-0034

  • Nevada   800-552-2127

  • New Hampshire   603-271-2691

  • New Jersey   609-530-6089

  • New Mexico   505-827-5540

  • New York   518-485-2999 or 888-783-1685

  • North Carolina   888-574-6683 - Issuing permits

  • North Dakota   701-328-2621

  • Ohio   614-351-2300

  • Oklahoma   877-425-2390 or 405-425-7012

  • Oregon   503-373-0000

  • Pennsylvania   717-787-4680 - Issuing permits

  • Rhode Island   401-946-0090

  • South Carolina   877-349-7190

  • South Dakota   888-978-7249

  • Tennessee   615-741-3821

  • Texas   800-299-1700, option 1

  • Utah   801-965-4892

  • Vermont   802-828-2064

  • Virginia   804-249-5130

  • Washington   360-704-6340

  • West Virginia   304-558-0384

  • Wisconsin   608-266-7320 - Issuing permits

  • Wyoming   307-777-4376

=================================

State Exceptions to Federal Truck Weight Limits

 

 

bottom of page