JEFF LANDRY
GOVERNOR    

COLONEL ROBERT P. HODGES
DEPUTY SECRETARY
 

State of Louisiana
Department of Public Safety and Corrections Public Safety Services

January 22, 2026

Pursuant to Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 390.23 and LA R.S. 32:1504 and/or LA R.S. 32:1711 ET SEQ., or regulation(s) adopted pursuant to LA R.S. 32:1714; Colonel Robert P. Hodges, Superintendent Louisiana State Police and Deputy Secretary Department of Public Safety, has declared a that a regional emergency exists which justifies exemptions from Parts 390 through 399 of Title 49 (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations). Such an emergency declaration is in response to the major winter storm prediction for the State of Louisiana.

The declaration of this emergency provides relief from Title 49, CFR, Part 395.3 and 395.5 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for motor carriers in Louisiana providing direct assistance to the disaster relief in the State of Louisiana. This includes, but is not limited to, power grid repairs, delivery of groceries, fuel, and other essential products. This declaration also provides relief from Title 49, CFR, Parts 390 through 399 for motor carriers providing residential heating fuel in areas directly affected. This includes heating oil, natural gas, and propane.

Nothing contained herein shall be construed as an exemption from the Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use and Testing Requirements of Title 49, CFR, Parts 40 and 382; Commercial Driver’s License requirements of Title 49, CFR, Part 383; the Financial Responsibility requirements in Title 49, CFR, Part 387 and the Hazardous Material Transportation Regulations of Title 49, CFR, Parts 107 (Subpart G), 171, 172, 173, 177, 178, and 180; or the applicable State of Louisiana size, weight, or traffic safety regulations.

Motor carriers that have an Out-of-Service Order in effect cannot take advantage of the relief from the regulations that this declaration provides under Title 49, CFR, Part 390.23.

Consistent with Title 49, CFR, Part 390.23, the emergency declaration will take effect at 12:01 a.m., January 23, 2026, and will remain in effect for the duration of the emergency (as defined in Title 49, CFR, Part 390.5), ending at 11:59 p.m., February 05, 2026, whichever is less. The residential heating fuel exemption shall expire on the 30th day following the initial declaration.

Colonel Robert P. Hodges 
Superintendent, Louisiana State Police
Deputy Secretary, Department of Public Safety