A few months ago, I mentioned that the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) collaborated with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection on an implements of husbandry (IoH) study  involving over 20 stakeholders representing various transportation and farm organizations, equipment manufacturers, law enforcement, local officials and the University of Wisconsin-Madison/Extension. After a series of town hall meetings on the group’s recommendations, the Legislature has introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 648 and its companion, Senate Bill 509, based on their revised and final recommendations. The bill seeks to balance the need for increased weight and capacity of agricultural vehicles with the need to maintain public safety and manage these vehicles’ impacts on our infrastructure.

A primary issue has been that many farmers believed that since agricultural equipment is exempt from DOT registration requirements, they are also exempt from laws governing weight and size. This is not the case, and AB 648 will establish a clear and consistent definition of IoH and their rules of the road. This past Tuesday, January 28, the Assembly and Senate transportation committees held a joint hearing on this bill. The hearing lasted over six hours and provided important insight from stakeholders across the state. You may watch all or part of the hearing on WisconsinEye. As a cosponsor of AB 648, I appreciate the feedback I have heard from constituents at the IoH town hall meetings and from those who contacted my office directly. If you would like to keep abreast of further developments on this bill, you can set up email notifications at http://notify.legis.wisconsin.gov.

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of touring the Chippewa Falls plant of Berry Plastics, a global manufacturer and marketer of plastic packaging products. I met with the management team to learn about this specific facility, which is the company’s largest flexible packaging and custom films plant. I would like to thank everyone at Berry Plastics for sharing their time with me, and the Plastics Industry Trade Association, which helped to set up the tour.

Community and business leaders from the Chippewa Valley traveled to Madison on Wednesday, January 29, for the Chippewa Valley Rally, an opportunity to discuss key regional issues with state government officials. I had the opportunity to attend a luncheon with Rally participants who later came to my office for a meeting. We had some meaningful conversations on a wide range of issues, and I want to thank everyone who took the time out to represent our communities down here in Madison.

Due to a wet fall that required increased propane use for drying corn, a pipeline shutdown, and a very cold winter, the upper Midwest, including Wisconsin, is experiencing a propane shortage supply. The State Division of Energy Services has been receiving numerous accounts of delivery delays, reduced delivery amounts, and in some cases the inability to deliver propane at all. Governor Walker has declared a State of Emergency, and is directing all state agencies to be on alert and to assist Wisconsin residents as needed.

For information on where you can purchase propane in your area, or to apply for assistance towards your propane heating bill, call toll-free 1-866-HEATWIS (432-8947). To apply for heating assistance through the WHEAP program, available through May 15, visit www.homeenergyplus.wi.gov. To keep up to date on the propane shortage, or for more information, visit Ready Wisconsin’s propane shortage information page.