Agricultural News
Oklahoma Farm Bureau Strongly Supports New Farm Truck Bill
Fri, 08 Jul 2011 11:17:36 CDT
Oklahoma Fifth District Congressman James Lankford's bill allowing broader weight restrictions on farm trucks is receiving strong support from Oklahoma Farm Bureau.
Lankford introduced the Farmers' Freedom Act July 7, to allow farmers to haul commodities across state boundaries without violating weight limits. Current law forces farm trucks to be covered under more restrictive federal regulations when loads exceed 26,000 pounds. This is especially burdensome when the trucks cross borders, even though the truck may be considered legal within each state.
"We have many producers who live near state borders and transport grain and livestock to the nearest market, which may be across the state line," said Mike Spradling, president of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. "This bill would make it easier to transport our goods to market and continue to ensure a safe, affordable food supply."
Lankford, a member of the House Transportation Committee, said current federal transportation legislation is another example of government over regulation.
"We are slowing down commerce with these types of burdensome regulations," Lankford said. "I am not anti-government, but I am against big, inefficient government."
Joining Lankford as lead authors of the legislation is Second District Oklahoma Congressman Dan Boren. Rep. Boren worked with former U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin on similar legislation in the last session of Congress.
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