Overweight raw-milk truck measure passed

Senators approved a bill May 14 intended to avoid wastage of raw milk produced at Nebraska dairy farms.

LB561, introduced by Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth, allows the state Department of Transportation to issue a permit authorizing an applicant to operate overweight vehicles carrying raw milk from a dairy farm to a processing facility.

The bill requires the department to create a map of bridge structures that overweight raw-milk vehicles are prohibited from using. The department must review and update the map at least once per year and publish the most recent version on its website. Overweight raw-milk vehicles are required to carry a copy of the map.

The owner of an overweight raw-milk vehicle that enters a prohibited bridge structure and damages it is liable for all costs associated with repairing the damage.

LB561 passed on a vote of 49-0 and takes effect immediately.