Three State governors recently temporarily suspended the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) hours-of-service (HOS) regulations.
On July 28, the Governor of Minnesota signed an executive order (EO) waiving HOS regulations, through August 27, to allow drivers of commercial motor vehicles more time to transport feed to farmers.
Because of severe drought conditions in 14 Minnesota counties, State livestock producers face a scarcity of hay and other forage.
Likewise, the Governor of South Dakota signed an EO, effective July 17-August 16, exempting delivery of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and ethanol from HOS regulations.
This action was taken to meet the agriculture and tourism industries’ fuel supply needs during a busy time.
Finally, on July 29, the governor of Iowa signed an emergency declaration, effective through August 28, suspending HOS regulations for crews and drivers delivering motor fuels, including gasoline, diesel No. 1 and No. 2, ethanol, and biodiesel.
Also suspended in Iowa through August 28 are fees and permits for oversize and overweight vehicles transporting motor fuels, not exceeding 90,000 pounds.
The Iowa declaration was in response to fuel supply complications, including high demand, long wait times at product terminals, as well as a shortage of drivers throughout Iowa.
