In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation amending Title 75 to ensure that Pennsylvania motorists can take full advantage of federal action temporarily permitting the use of dyed diesel fuel on public highways.

I invite you to join me as a co-sponsor of this important legislation.

President Trump has taken action to provide immediate relief to American farmers, truckers and other diesel users facing the high cost of fuel. That federal action creates an opportunity to reduce the cost of diesel for the people who keep Pennsylvania moving, feed our families and transport the goods we rely upon every day.

Pennsylvania should not be the reason that relief stops at our state line.

Under current Pennsylvania law, the use of dyed diesel fuel on our public highways is generally prohibited except where permitted under federal law or regulation. My legislation would make clear that when the federal government authorizes the use of dyed diesel on public highways, including pursuant to an executive order, the Commonwealth will recognize that authorization for the duration of the federal authorization.

This is about making sure Pennsylvania law does not unnecessarily stand between our farmers, truckers and small businesses and federally authorized relief.

What the legislation does:

• Permits the use of dyed diesel fuel on Pennsylvania public highways when that use is authorized under federal law, regulation or an executive order issued by the President of the United States. 
• Makes that authorization effective for the same period as the federal authorization.
• Clarifies that the authorization applies regardless of whether the oil company franchise tax has been paid on the dyed diesel contained in the vehicle’s fuel tank.
• Directs the Department of Revenue to establish an alternative notice requirement for periods when dyed diesel is legally permitted for highway use.
• Protects fuel sellers from being penalized for selling or delivering dyed diesel for highway use when such use is federally and therefore Pennsylvania-authorized, provided the required notice is given.
• Takes effect immediately, so Pennsylvania can respond quickly to federal action rather than leaving farmers, truckers and businesses waiting for months for relief.

 
Why this matters

Diesel isn’t a luxury for Pennsylvania’s farmers and truckers. It is a necessity.

A farmer cannot harvest a crop without diesel.

A trucker cannot move Pennsylvania’s products without diesel.

A contractor cannot run heavy equipment without diesel.

And our economy cannot function without the men and women who drive the trucks, operate the equipment and work the farms that depend upon it.

When the federal government takes action to provide relief from the cost of diesel, Pennsylvania should be looking for every lawful way to maximize that relief, not create another barrier to it.

This legislation does not attempt to rewrite federal law. It simply ensures that Pennsylvania law recognizes federally authorized highway use of dyed diesel for the duration of that authorization.

Most importantly, this bill gives Pennsylvania farmers, truckers and businesses the ability to benefit from federal action without forcing them to navigate conflicting state restrictions.

This is about common sense.

Our farmers are facing rising input costs.

Our truckers are facing rising operating costs.

Our small businesses are facing rising transportation costs.

Every dollar matters.

If the federal government provides an avenue for relief, Pennsylvania should do everything within its authority to make that relief available to Pennsylvanians.

I respectfully ask you to join me in sponsoring this legislation.

Let’s make sure that federal diesel relief actually reaches the people who need it most.