Since the association was formed, the members have been active in getting laws changed to better help the milk hauling industry. Following are those changes.

• 2002 - Advised Wisconsin State Patrol on potential impact to milk haulers relative to the proposal of adopting the Federal standard for hours of service of drivers.
• 2001 - Passed legislation that permits carriers or haulers to use Class B Highways for pickups and deliveries.
• 2000 - Clarified the interpretation of the statutes relating to measuring three or more consecutive axles 9 feet apart.
• Axle Weight limits - Milk truck can carry more weight per axle (excluding the I-System) than most trucks. 21,000 lobs. on a single; 37,000 lbs. on a tamdem, and 2,000 lbs. extra on three or more axle groupings.
• Registration fees - Milk trucks pay 40% less than other trucks to carry the same weight.
• Committment to Trans 327, which adopted ICC regulations for interstate drivers, demonstrating the need for:
  • 100-mile radius limit before the rules take effect.
  • 15 hour driving time and 20 hour on-duty time rule when milking during a snowstorm.
  • Pushed for the 24 hour log, rather than the 7-day log for those who occasionally exceed the 100-mile radius limit.
• Allowed for reloading up to 1000 lbs. to correct axle overloads (readjust air pressure in tag and pusher axles).
• Corporate officers no longer have to pay state unemployment taxes on their wages.
• Reduction of registration fees by $15 when the truck is registered by the end of the year pruchased.
• Registration of spare truck on a monthly basis.
• Increased the speed limit on town and county roads to 55 mph.

Milk plants are cutting hauling rates, farmers are hauling their own milk, there are more regulations and costs for the milk hauler. All these factors affect how your business runs. Although the association can't fight your rate battles with the milk plant, the WMHA will fight the legislative and regulatory battles with the Wisconsin Department of Ag and the Department of Transportation to ensure everyone hauling milk is on a level playing field.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

State Representation

Legislation on the state and federal level can affect evey aspect of your operation making lobbying one of the most important function of WMHA. Our lobbyists keep close contact with legislators and state administrative agencies. The WMHA attempts to represent milk hauler's point-of-view on state legislation and administrative rules. There are two advantages in having this type of government representation. First, you receive information about what the Legislature is considering, when public hearings will be held, and what laws are changed. Second, by having two registered lobbyists in Madison, members are represented on a variety of issues. Without this input, legislators might be unfamiliar with the specific impact proposed legislation would have on Wisconsin milk haulers.

Federal Representation

In conjuction with the International Milk Haulers Association, the WMHa represents the Wisconsin milk haulers interests on the national level. Members are encouraged to travel to Washington, DC, each year to meet with Wisconsin Congressional delegates. The trip is designed to provide an informal setting at which pertinent issues are discussed with ourRepresentatives in Washington.

Other Services

Since WMHA is a division of the Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association, members are eligible for all discount programs offered by the WMCA.