Vehicle Laws - Exceptional Hauling Permits for Farm Products
HB 225 allows vehicles carrying fluid milk products to operate on interstate highways under exceptional hauling permits, which were previously prohibited for most farm products. It sets specific requirements: milk trucks must have at least six axles with 50 feet between front and rear axles (or 36 feet between tandem axle sets), carry only milk as the sole load, and comply with a 95,000-pound gross weight limit. The bill directly affects dairy farmers and haulers transporting milk to processing plants, particularly during March-June. It also updates maintenance documentation requirements, mandating electronic permit copies and proof of annual vehicle inspections.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Oct 2024
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
Apr 2025
Introduced Oct 9, 2024
Signed Apr 8, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
First - Vehicle Laws - Exceptional Hauling Permits for Farm Products
→
Third - Vehicle Laws - Exceptional Hauling Permits for Farm Products
·
4 edits
MODERATE
This bill adds a specific exception allowing vehicles carrying fluid milk products to operate on interstate highways despite general restrictions on exceptional hauling permits. It also clarifies inspection requirements and weight limits for farm vehicles transporting milk products.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly include fluid milk products as an exception to interstate driving restrictions for exceptional hauling permits.
ELIGIBILITY
Added an explicit exception for vehicles carrying fluid milk products to the prohibition against driving on interstate highways under exceptional hauling permits.
REQUIREMENT
Modified inspection requirements to distinguish between state-registered vehicles (requiring periodic inspections under Title 23) and out-of-state vehicles (requiring inspections per 49 C.F.R. § 396.17).
Reorganized and clarified weight limit specifications for exceptional hauling permits, separating single axle limits from tandem axle and gross combination weight limits.
TIMELINE
Added committee report status showing the bill was favorably reported and adopted by the House, with a second reading date of March 2, 2025.
Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2025
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
13
Key actions
9
Committee
6
Apr 8, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 51
executive
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Returned Passed
lower
Apr 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Mar 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
upper
Mar 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Judicial Proceedings
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Committee
Referred Judicial Proceedings
upper
Mar 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Mar 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Environment and Transportation
lower
Mar 3, 2025
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (134-0-5)
house of delegates
Jan 8, 2025
Committee
First Reading Environment and Transportation
lower
Oct 9, 2024
Introduced
Pre-filed
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
No sponsor information available.
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HB 225
Scope: MD
Hi! I can help you understand HB 225. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline