PRINTER'S NO. 439
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 481
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY J. WARD, YAW, ROTHMAN, PENNYCUICK, BROOKS,
LANGERHOLC, STREET, BARTOLOTTA, PHILLIPS-HILL, COSTA,
HUTCHINSON, STEFANO, MARTIN, CULVER, DUSH AND MASTRIANO,
MARCH 20, 2025
REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION, MARCH 20, 2025
AN ACT
1 Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
2 Statutes, in size, weight and load, providing for milk
3 hauling during inclement weather and emergency declaration
4 and further providing for permit for movement during course
5 of manufacture.
6 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
7 hereby enacts as follows:
8 Section 1. Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
9 Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
10 § 4910. Milk hauling during inclement weather and emergency
11 declaration.
12 (a) Movement upon highways.--A combination up to 80,000
13 pounds, combination consistent with section 4968(a.2)(4)
14 (relating to permit for movement during course of manufacture)
15 or farm vehicle which is hauling a milk product to or from a
16 milk plant or to or from a dairy farm, or is traveling to a
17 dairy farm to pick up a milk product, shall be allowed by the
18 department, local authorities and law enforcement to move upon
 1 highways within their respective jurisdiction 24 hours a day,
2 seven days a week during:
3 (1) Inclement weather as defined in department
4 regulations when the department restricts the operation of a
5 combination or farm vehicle.
6 (2) A declared national, State or local emergency when
7 the Governor issues a proclamation or executive order
8 impeding the operation of a combination or farm vehicle.
9 (b) Decal.--A one-time decal, designed and issued by the
10 board, that identifies the combination or farm vehicle as a
11 licensed milk hauler shall be placed on the driver's side of the
12 cab of the combination or farm vehicle. The board shall charge a
13 fee for the issuance of the decal, the amount of which fee may
14 not exceed the administrative costs of producing and issuing the
15 decal and may impose the same fee to replace a decal that has
16 been lost, stolen, damaged or become illegible.
17 (c) Penalty prohibited.--A penalty may not be imposed on the
18 driver of a combination or farm vehicle if the operation of the
19 vehicle complies with this section.
20 (d) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
21 words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
22 subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
23 "Board." The Pennsylvania Milk Board.
24 "Dairy farm." As defined in section 1 of the act of July 2,
25 1935 (P.L.589, No.210), referred to as the Milk Sanitation Law.
26 "Milk plant." As defined in section 1 of the Milk Sanitation
27 Law.
28 Section 2. Section 4968(a.2)(4) and (b) of Title 75 are
29 amended to read:
30 § 4968. Permit for movement during course of manufacture.
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 1 * * *
2 (a.2) Specifications.--
3 * * *
4 (4) A combination [of vehicles] which is hauling milk to
5 or from a [manufacturer] milk plant or to or from a dairy
6 farm, or is traveling to a dairy farm to pick up milk,
7 may be permitted by the department and local authorities
8 to move upon highways within their respective
9 jurisdictions 24 hours a day, seven days a week, [except
10 during inclement weather as defined in department
11 regulations,] consistent with section 4910 (relating to
12 milk hauling during inclement weather and emergency
13 declaration) if the gross weight does not exceed 95,000
14 pounds and the weight of any nonsteering axle does not
15 exceed 21,000 pounds. A permit may be issued for this
16 type of movement upon an interstate highway. An
17 application to the department for the movement of milk,
18 except for raw milk, shall designate the route the
19 applicant requests to use.
20 * * *
21 (b) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
22 words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
23 subsection:
24 "Bulk milk." The term shall mean milk, as defined in section
25 1 of the act of July 2, 1935 (P.L.589, No.210), referred to as
26 the Milk Sanitation Law, which is not transported in packages.
27 "Condensed milk" and "evaporated milk." The term shall mean
28 manufactured dairy products as defined in section 1 of the act
29 of July 2, 1935 (P.L.589, No.210), referred to as the Milk
30 Sanitation Law, which is not transported in packages.
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 1 "Dairy farm." As defined in section 1 of the act of July 2,
2 1935 (P.L.589, No.210), referred to as the Milk Sanitation Law.
3 "Hot box." Consists of an enclosure consisting of welded
4 steel plate chained to a semitrailer with a removable lid lined
5 with refraction for purposes of insulation and retention of
6 heat.
7 "Milk." The term shall mean any of the following:
8 (1) Bulk milk.
9 (2) Evaporated milk.
10 (3) Raw milk.
11 (4) Condensed milk.
12 "Milk plant." As defined in section 1 of the act of July 2,
13 1935 (P.L.589, No.210), referred to as the Milk Sanitation Law.
14 "Raw milk." [Has the meaning given to it in] As defined in
15 section 8(a) of the act of July 2, 1935 (P.L.589, No.210),
16 referred to as the Milk Sanitation Law.
17 "Sugar." The term shall refer to granulated raw, semi-
18 refined or refined sugar derived from the processing of sugar
19 cane or sugar beets, requiring further processing and not
20 intended for direct consumption or retail sale.
21 Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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