ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND — Farmers and timber haulers can run dyed diesel in qualifying vehicles on public roads without state penalties for 30 days under an emergency executive order Gov. Wes Moore signed Oct. 9.
The order comes in the middle of harvest. The order says Maryland diesel prices rose 76.2%, from $3.670 a gallon in September 2025 to $6.467 on Oct. 5, 2026. AAA's own Maryland page lists the state's highest recorded diesel average as $6.4958 a gallon, on Sept. 23.
What it means for a Talbot grain or timber operation: a truck qualifies under the order "while it is engaged in agricultural or forestry hauling, including travel to and from a pick-up or delivery point." Dyed diesel, which is exempt from highway excise taxes, can be used in a qualifying vehicle with no application, registration or fee. If state enforcement officers ask, drivers must be prepared to show the vehicle qualifies, the order says, such as through a bill of lading, a delivery or scale ticket, a load description or fuel receipts.
The order also waives fees for 30-day Exceptional Hauling Permits, which let qualifying farm and forestry vehicles carry heavier loads on state highways within set limits. Existing safety rules, bridge restrictions and weight limits stay in effect. The hauling-permit relief applies only to loaded vehicles and only on state highways, and it excludes the interstate system. The order says it does not alter weight limits on county, municipal or Maryland Transportation Authority roads.
The Maryland order does not waive federal taxes, penalties or restrictions on dyed diesel. The order asks the Comptroller to work with the Maryland Department of Agriculture to seek federal relief, and producers remain responsible for complying with federal law.
"Fuel costs affect nearly every aspect of farming and forestry operations," Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks said in the release.
The governor's office says the state of emergency lasts 30 days and can be renewed, and that unless the governor orders otherwise, it cannot run past Dec. 31, 2026. The Department of Agriculture is the lead agency, working with the Maryland Department of Transportation, the Comptroller, Maryland State Police and Maryland Transportation Authority Police.
Source: Office of Gov. Wes Moore
Also: Office of Gov. Wes Moore (2), Office of Gov. Wes Moore (3), AAA
Drawn from public records; drafted with AI and edited by Peter Gorman before publication.
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