STATE OF MINNESOTA
Executive Department

Governor Tim Walz
Emergency Executive Order 19-08
Providing for Emergency Relief from Regulations to Motor Carriers and Drivers Operating in Minnesota

I, Tim Walz, Governor of the State of Minnesota, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and applicable statutes, do hereby issue this Executive Order:

Extreme winter weather conditions, record snowfall in the months of January and February, a late thaw, and recent precipitation are all contributing to a higher than normal risk of widespread flooding throughout Minnesota.

Nearly a third of Minnesota's eighty-seven counties are currently impacted by flooding or ice jams, and the following counties have each declared a local emergency: Big Stone, Cottonwood, Jackson, Martin, Nobles, Norman, Rock, Traverse, Wilkin, and Yellow Medicine.

Road closures, sandbagging operations, levy construction, and other emergency measures are required in response to spring flooding conditions.

The resources of local, county, and state governments are being fully utilized to ensure immediate response to protect the life and safety of persons in the affected areas, and to protect prope1ty and infrastructure from additional damage.

The seasonal load restrictions, as described in Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 169.87, subdivisions 1 and 2 went into effect on March 15, 2019 in the south, southeast, and metro zones, and on March 19, 2019 in the central, north-central, and north zones. These seasonal weight restrictions on roads in Minnesota will hinder the transportation of materials used in flood prevention and mitigation.

For these reasons, I order that:

1. A state of emergency exists in Minnesota that requires assistance from motor carriers to transport supplies and materials to affected areas of the state. Vehicles providing direct assistance for emergency flooding preparations, transporting sand, clay, or other materials used to construct protective measures to prevent flooding are exempted from the seasonal load restrictions on local and state highways and streets imposed by Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 169.87, subdivisions 1 and 2.
2. The relief from seasonal load restrictions provided in this order does not apply to vehicles operating with a special permit issued under Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 169.869.

This Emergency Executive Order is effective immediately under Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 4.035, subdivision 2, and remains in effect until the conclusion of the emergency condition or until the commercial motor carrier or driver ceases direct assistance in providing emergency relief, whichever occurs first. For purposes of this Emergency Executive Order, direct assistance to an emergency relief effort terminates when a driver or commercial motor vehicle is used to transport cargo not destined for the emergency relief effort, or when the carrier dispatches that driver or vehicle to another location for operations in regular commerce.

Signed on March 22, 2019.

Tim Walz
Governor

Filed According to Law

Steve Simon
Secretary of State