THE STATE OF GEORGIA
EXECUTIVE ORDER

BY THE GOVERNOR:

WHEREAS: On August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey made landfall on the coast of the state of Texas; and

WHEREAS: This storm system and its remnants have caused and continue to cause catastrophic impacts to citizens and property in the states of Texas and Louisiana, and

WHEREAS: Many southeastern states and companies directly supporting emergency relief efforts by transporting supplies, equipment and persons into or from the states of Texas and Louisiana will traverse Georgia's roads; and

WHEREAS: On August 25, 2017, The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a regional emergency declaration, pursuant to 49 C.F.R. 390.23, to provide for regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicle operations while providing direct assistance supporting emergency relief efforts transporting supplies, equipment and persons into or from the states of Texas and Louisiana or providing other assistance in the form of emergency services during the emergency resulting from Hurricane Harvey in the states of Texas and Louisiana; and

WHEREAS: In addition to the localized impacts from this storm system in the states of Texas and Louisiana, surrounding southeastern states, including the state of Georgia, will suffer a shortage of fuel supplies; and

WHEREAS: The uninterrupted supply of petroleum products is an essential need of the public and any perceived or actual shortage threatens public welfare; and

WHEREAS: The Federal Motor Carrier safety regulations, 49 C.F.R. 390, et seq., limit the hour’s operators of commercial motor vehicles may drive; and 49 C.F.R. 390.23 allows the Governor of a state to suspend these rules and regulations for up to thirty (30) days, if the Governor determines an emergency condition exists.

Now, THEREFORE, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME AS GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, IT IS HEREBY

ORDERED: That a State of Emergency exists for suspending the federal rules and regulations limiting hours’ operators of commercial vehicles may drive in order to ensure the uninterrupted supply of petroleum products throughout Georgia. This emergency justifies a suspension of Part 395 (driver's hours of service) of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The suspension will remain in effect for three (3) weeks or until the emergency condition ceases to exist, whichever is less. Nothing herein will be construed as an exemption from the Commercial Driver's License requirements in 49 C.F.R. 383 and the financial requirements in 49 C.F.R. 387.

IT IS FURTHER

ORDERED: That no motor carrier operating under the terms of this emergency declaration will require or allow an ill or fatigued driver to operate a motor vehicle. A driver who notifies a motor vehicle carrier that he or she needs immediate rest will be given at least ten (10) consecutive hours off-duty before being required to return to service.

IT IS FURTHER

ORDERED: That weight, height and length for any such vehicle traveling into or from Texas or Louisiana for. the purposes of providing disaster relief, which traverses roadways maintained by the State of Georgia, shall not exceed the following:

1. A maximum gross vehicle weight for vehicles equipped with five (5) weight bearing axles, with an outer bridge span of not less than fifty-one (51) feet, shall not exceed a gross vehicle weight of ninety-five (95) thousand pounds, a maximum width of ten (10) feet and an overall length of one hundred (100) feet. Continuous travel is authorized, with the proper escorts.
2. If the width of said vehicle exceeds eight (8) feet six (6) inches and is traveling after daylight, defined as thirty (30) minutes before sunset to thirty (30) minutes after sunrise, the transporter is required to have a vehicle front and a rear escort/amber light when traveling on a two-lane roadway and a vehicle rear escort when traveling on a four-lane highway. Transporters are responsible for ensuring they have proper oversize signs, markings, flags and escorts as defined in the Georgia Department of Transportation Rules and Regulations.

IT IS FURTHER

ORDERED: That commercial vehicles operating outside the normal weight, height and length restrictions under the authority of this Executive Order shall be issued permits by the Georgia Department of Public Safety. Said vehicles shall be subject to any special conditions the Georgia Department of Public Safety may list on applicable permits. Nothing in this Executive Order shall be construed to allow any vehicle to exceed weight limits posted for bridges and like structures, nor shall anything in this Executive Order be construed to relieve compliance with restrictions other than those specified in this Executive order or from any statute, rule, order or other legal requirement not specifically waived herein.

Oversize permits may be issued by the Georgia Department of Public Safety, Motor Carrier Compliance Division, during normal business hours, Monday through Friday by calling 404-624-7258 or through the Georgia Permitting and Routing Optimization System online portal at https://gapros.dot.ga.gov/.

IT IS FURTHER

ORDERED: That this Executive Order does not suspend operation of any state or federal law or regulation, except as specifically described herein

This Executive Order shall be valid for a period of three (3) weeks, beginning on August 30, 2017 and ending at 11:59 pm on September 20, 2017.

GOVERNOR