Common Sense Amendments & Succession Planning Workshop

While Governor Gregoire continues to meet with lawmakers here in the state to try and hammer out a budget plan that’s acceptable to both sides, Senate lawmakers on the federal level managed to pass the Highway Bill yesterday along with two amendments that are important to agriculture. One of the amendments will continue an exemption for agricultural truck drivers regarding regulations on maximum driving and on-duty times during the busy seasons of planting and harvest. The amendment would apply to drivers transporting agricultural commodities within 100 miles of the farm that produced them or those carrying farm supplies for agricultural purposes within 100 miles of the wholesale or retail distribution point. The second amendment would exempt drivers of farm vehicles from obtaining a commercial driver's license and would provide an exemption for farm trucks from federal regulations that are aimed at the long haul trucking industry. The agriculture industry wholly supports both amendments. The Highway Bill now moves to the House for consideration.

Washington State University Extension educators will be holding a succession planning workshop in Vancouver on April 7. The “Ties to the Land” workshop combines presentations with practical exercises to help families cope with the challenges faced during estate planning, such as the legal and economic aspects of transferring a ranch, forest or farm from generation to generation. Registration is first come first served.

I’m Lacy Gray and that’s Washington Ag Today on the Northwest Ag Information Network.