State of South Carolina
Executive Department

Office of the Governor

EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 2020-24

      WHEREAS, a severe storm system moved across the southeastern region of the United States beginning on April 12, 2020, which produced multiple tornadoes, damaging winds, significant rainfall, extensive localized flooding, and other dangerous conditions in certain areas of the State of South Carolina through the early morning hours of April 13, 2020; and

      WHEREAS, per preliminary reports, the storm system and associated hazardous conditions resulted in at least nine (9) weather-related deaths, caused extensive damage to public and private property, and disrupted essential utility services and systems throughout the State of South Carolina; and

      WHEREAS, the undersigned has been advised that the recent severe weather event and resulting catastrophic impacts represent a significant threat to the State of South Carolina, which requires that the State take timely precautions to protect and preserve property, critical infrastructure, communities, and the general safety and welfare of the people of this State; and

      WHEREAS, on April 12, 2020, the undersigned issued Executive Order No. 2020-23, declaring a State of Emergency about the accelerating public health threat posed by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus ("COVID-19") and, inter alia, suspending certain rules and regulations for commercial vehicles and operators of commercial vehicles to facilitate the State's continued preparations for and response to the emergency conditions related to COVID-19; and

      WHEREAS, the undersigned has determined that it is necessary and appropriate to take similar action to facilitate and expedite ongoing emergency management, response, recovery, and relief efforts about the recent severe weather event and the catastrophic impacts associated with the same; and

      WHEREAS, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations limit, inter alia, the hours of service for operators of commercial vehicles, 49 C.F.R. §§ 390 et seq., and federal law prescribes certain weight limitations for vehicles on interstate highways, 23 U.S.C. § 127; and

      WHEREAS, pursuant to 49 C.F.R. § 390.23, the governor of a state may suspend certain federal rules and regulations for commercial vehicles responding to an emergency if the governor determines that an emergency condition exists; and

      WHEREAS, in accordance with section 56-5-70(A) of the South Carolina Code of Laws, as amended, during a declared emergency and during responding to the emergency, requirements relating to registration, permitting, length, width, weight, and load are suspended for commercial and utility vehicles travelling on non-interstate routes for up to one hundred twenty
(120) days, if such vehicles do not exceed a gross weight of ninety thousand (90,000) pounds and do not exceed a width of twelve (12) feet, and requirements relating to time of service suspensions for commercial and utility vehicles travelling on interstate and non-interstate routes are suspended for up to thirty (30) days, unless extended for additional periods pursuant to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations; and

      WHEREAS, due to the recent severe weather event, the Governor of Georgia issued Executive Order No. 04.13.20.01 on April 13, 2020, declaring that an emergency exists in the State of Georgia and temporarily waiving or suspending certain motor vehicle regulations; and

      WHEREAS, section 56-5-70(B) of the South Carolina Code of Laws, as amended, provides that "[w]hen an emergency is declared which triggers relief from regulations pursuant to 49 C.F.R. [§] 390.23 in North Carolina or Georgia, an emergency, as referenced in the regional emergency provision of 49 C.F.R. [§] 390.23(a)(l)(A), must be declared in this State by the Governor"; and

      WHEREAS, the prompt restoration of utility services and the uninterrupted transportation of essential goods, equipment, and products to or from the impacted areas are critical to the safety and welfare of the people of South Carolina and neighboring States, and it is necessary and appropriate for the State of South Carolina to support ongoing emergency management, response, recovery, and relief efforts by facilitating the operation of critical transportation services; and

      WHEREAS, for the and other reasons, and in recognition and furtherance of the undersigned's responsibility to provide for and ensure the health, safety, security, and welfare of the people of the State of South Carolina, the undersigned has determined that the recent severe weather event and resulting catastrophic impacts constitute an emergency for the State of South Carolina and that extraordinary measures are necessary to cope with the same.

      NOW, THEREFORE, by the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of South Carolina and pursuant to the Constitution and Laws of this State and the powers conferred upon me therein, I hereby declare that a State of Emergency exists in South Carolina. Accordingly, for the foregoing reasons and in accordance with the cited authorities and other applicable law, I further order and direct as follows:

      Section 1.    Emergency Measures

      A. I hereby memorialize and confirm my prior activation of the South Carolina Emergency Operations Plan ("Plan") and direct that the Plan be further placed into effect and that all prudent preparations be taken at the individual, local, and state levels to promptly respond to the recent severe weather event and the catastrophic impacts associated with the same. I further direct the utilization of all available resources of state government as reasonably necessary to address the current State of Emergency.

      B. I hereby place specified units and/or personnel of the South Carolina National Guard on State Active Duty, pursuant to section 25-1-1840 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, as amended, and direct the Adjutant General to issue the requisite supplemental orders as he deems necessary and appropriate. I further order the activation of South Carolina National Guard personnel and the utilization of appropriate equipment at the discretion of the Adjutant General, and in coordination with the Director of the South Carolina Emergency Management Division ("EMD"), to take necessary and prudent actions to assist the people of this State. I authorize Dual Status Command, as necessary, to allow the Adjutant General or his designee to serve as commander over both federal (Title 10) and state forces (National Guard in Title 32 and/or State Active Duty status).

      C. I hereby order that all licensing and registration requirements regarding private security personnel or companies who are contracted with South Carolina security companies in protecting property and restoring essential services in South Carolina shall be suspended, and I direct the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division ("SLED") to initiate an emergency registration process for those personnel or companies for a period specified, and in a manner deemed appropriate, by the Chief of SLED.

      D. I hereby declare that the prohibitions against price gouging pursuant to section 39- 5-145 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, as amended, are in effect and shall remain in effect for the duration of this State of Emergency.

      Section 2.    Transportation Waivers

      A. I hereby suspend certain rules and regulations, as set forth below, for commercial vehicles and operators of commercial vehicles in accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 390.23 and section 56-5-70 of the South Carolina Code of Laws.

      B. I hereby authorize and direct the South Carolina Department of Transportation ("DOT") and the South Carolina Department of Public Safety ("DPS"), including the State Transport Police, as needed, to waive or suspend application and enforcement of the requisite state and federal rules and regulations pertaining to registration, permitting, length, width, weight, load, and hours of service for commercial vehicles and operators of commercial vehicles responding to the declared emergency in this State or any declared emergency in the State of Georgia or the State of North Carolina in connection with the severe weather event or providing direct assistance to supplement state and local efforts and capabilities related to the same, to include commercial vehicles and operators of commercial vehicles transporting equipment, materials, or persons necessary for the restoration of utility services or debris removal and those transporting essential goods and products, such as food, water, medicine, medical supplies and equipment, fuels and petroleum products (to include fuel oil, diesel oil, gasoline, kerosene, propane, and liquid petroleum), livestock, poultry, feed for livestock and poultry, and crops and other agricultural products ready to be harvested (to include timber and wood chips). I further authorize and direct DOT and DPS to issue, provide, or promulgate any necessary and appropriate clarification, guidance, rules, regulations, or restrictions regarding the application of this Section.

      C. This Section shall not be construed to require or allow an ill or fatigued driver to operate a commercial motor vehicle. In accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 390.23, "a driver who informs the motor carrier that he or she needs immediate rest must be permitted at least ten (10) consecutive hours off duty before the driver is required to return to such terminal or location." Likewise, this Section shall not be construed as an exemption from the applicable controlled substances and alcohol use and testing requirements in 49 C.F.R. § 382, the commercial driver's license requirements in 49 C.F.R. § 383, or the financial responsibility requirements in 49 C.F.R. § 387, and it shall not be interpreted to relieve compliance with any other state or federal statute, rule, order, regulation, restriction, or another legal requirement not specifically waived, suspended, or addressed herein.

      D. This Section is subject to any clarification, guidance, rules, regulations, or restrictions issued, provided, or promulgated, or which may be issued, provided, or promulgated, by DOT or DPS, as authorized herein or as otherwise provided by law. Notwithstanding the waiver or suspension of certain rules and regulations as set forth above, drivers in South Carolina are still subject to the following state requirements to ensure public safety:

1. Weight, height, length, and width for any such vehicle on highways or roadways maintained by the State of South Carolina shall not exceed, for continuous travel on all non-interstates, United States, and South Carolina designated routes, maximum dimensions of twelve (12) feet in width, thirteen (13) feet six (6) inches in height, and ninety thousand (90,000) pounds in gross weight.
2. Posted bridges may not be crossed.
3. All vehicles shall be operated in a safe manner, shall not damage the highways nor unduly interfere with highway traffic, shall maintain the required limits of insurance, and shall be clearly identified as a utility vehicle or shall provide appropriate documentation indicating they are responding to the emergency.
4. Any vehicles that exceed the above dimensions, weights, or both, must obtain a permit with defined routes from the South Carolina Department of Transportation Oversized/Overweight Permit Office. To order a permit, please call (803) 737-6769 during normal business hours, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., or (803) 206-9566 after normal business hours.
5. Transporters are responsible for ensuring they have oversize signs, markings, flags, and escorts as required by the South Carolina Code of Laws relating to oversized/overweight loads operating on South Carolina roadways.

      E. This Section is effective immediately and shall remain in effect for thirty (30) days or the duration of the State of Emergency, whichever is less, in accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 390.23 and section 56-5-70 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, except that requirements relating to registration, permitting, length, width, weight, and load are suspended for commercial and utility vehicles travelling on non-interstate routes for up to one hundred twenty (120) days, pursuant to the provisions of section 56-5-70(A) of the South Carolina Code of Laws, unless otherwise modified, amended, or rescinded by subsequent Order.

       Section 3.    General Provisions

      A. The provisions of this Order, or any subsequent Orders issued about the State of Emergency declared herein, shall not be construed to modify, amend, or otherwise alter the provisions of Executive Order No. 2020-23, or any prior Orders addressed therein or any future issued in connection therewith, which shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their respective terms unless and until otherwise modified, amended, or rescinded by subsequent Order.
      B. This Order is not intended to create, and does not create, any individual right, privilege, or benefit, whether substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the State of South Carolina, its agencies, departments, political subdivisions, or other entities, or any officers, employees, or agents thereof, or any other person.

      C. If any section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this Order is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such holding shall not affect the constitutionality or validity of the remaining portions of this Order, as the undersigned would have issued this Order, and each and every section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, and word thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more other sections, subsections, paragraphs, subparagraphs, sentences, clauses, phrases, or words hereof may be declared to be unconstitutional, invalid, or otherwise ineffective.

      D. If or to the extent that any political subdivision of this State seeks to adopt or enforce a local ordinance, rule, regulation, or other restriction that conflicts with this Order, this Order shall supersede and preempt any such local ordinance, rule, regulation, or other restriction.

      E. This Order is effective immediately and shall remain in effect for a period of fifteen (15) days unless otherwise expressly stated herein or modified, amended, or rescinded by subsequent Order. Further proclamations, orders, and directives deemed necessary to ensure the fullest possible protection of life and property during this State of Emergency shall be issued orally by the undersigned and thereafter reduced to writing and published for dissemination within the succeeding 24-hour period.

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, THIS 13th DAY OF APRIL, 2020.

HENRY MCMASTER
Governor

ATTEST:

MARK HAMMOND
Secretary of State