Legislation that Pennsylvania Farm Bureau helped develop to increase the distance farmers may travel between farms using multipurpose agricultural vehicles has cleared its first hurdle in the General Assembly.
The House Transportation Committee recently advanced House Bill 1307. The committee’s 16-9 vote sends the measure to the full chamber for consideration.
PFB worked with Rep. Stephanie Borowicz of Clinton County to introduce the legislation.
The measure would allow farmers to use MAVs—off-road vehicles such as ATVs and side-by-sides used for a variety of farm tasks—for up to 10 miles on roadways when traveling between farms and fields for the purpose of agricultural activities.
Currently, MAVs may not be used on roadways except by farmers performing agricultural work, who may travel within five miles of their home farm. The legislation continue to limit on-road use of MAVs to working farmers but would give farmers greater flexibility in how far they can travel.
PFB believes the change is needed because farm operations are becoming more spread out and farmers often need to travel longer distances between fields and farms. MAVs are a popular option for accessing fields and pastures because of their off-road capabilities.
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