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Oklahoma
State Senate For Immediate Release:
May 10, 2006 Governor Brad Henry on Wednesday signed legislation to simplify the permitting process for custom wheat harvesters, saving them valuable time and money. House Bill 2895, the Harvest Regulation Reform Act of 2006, authored by Sen. Daisy Lawler and Rep. Ryan McMullen will lower the estimated overall fees assessed to harvesters in the permitting process, while providing harvesters with efficient options for obtaining the proper documentation. With the wheat harvest expected to begin in mid-May, Lawler said, the bill was an urgent legislative priority. “Wheat harvesting is a time-sensitive business, and our farmers simply could not afford more of the same fines and confusion caused by the previous regulations,” said Lawler, D-Comanche. “This law will get rid of the red tape and unnecessary expenses in time for the 2006 harvest.” Lawler noted that the 2005 harvest season revealed a number of flaws in the previous regulatory structure. Fines in excess of $1,000 had been levied against harvesting crews due to excessive regulation and permit requirements, while limited options for obtaining necessary documentation caused crews to waste valuable time. House author Ryan McMullen said the excessive regulation had a notable effect on harvest last year. “We need to eliminate the unnecessary costs and time constraints that were such a problem for our farmers last year,” said McMullen, D-Burns Flat. “With the drought conditions we’ve experienced this year, this measure was a critical cost-saving bill for the industry.” The Harvest Regulation Reform Act will prevent inspection sites from being located within two miles of a grain elevator and will allow for a five percent variance on weight regulations for trucks leaving the fields. Additionally, the measure will require only a single permit for each harvest crew, verifying their insurance coverage. The legislation establishes a flat-fee of $20 per axle for 30 days and $35 per axle for 60 days for trucks used to transport wheat. House Bill 2895 also allows harvesters to apply for permits via fax, phone and computer. Last year, Corporation Commission agents required some harvesters to drive to Oklahoma City to apply in person. With approximately 700 harvesting crews operating in various parts of the state, Lawler said, this was an unrealistic demand. “I’m pleased the Governor has signed this measure
to reform the process in time for this year’s harvest,”
said Lawler. “This bill will certainly ease an excessive burden
on our farmers.”
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