STATE OF OKLAHOMA
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
 

J.KEVIN STITT
GOVERNOR

TIM TIPTON
COMMISSIONER

TO:    Liquefied Petroleum Gas Administration 

FROM:    Tim Tipton, Commissioner of Public Safety 

DATE:    January 4, 2025

SUBJECT:    Suspension of Application of 49 C.F.R. § 395.3 for Delivery Drivers of Residential Heating Fuel

As DPS Commissioner, I am in receipt of your request regarding the severe weather event beginning January 5, 2025. Specifically, you provide the following:

• We have received reports from several propane dealers who have depleted their storage tanks in preparation for the next seven days of inclement weather. Additionally, many are already facing challenges with drivers reaching their service hour limits.
• As of late Wednesday, Missouri and Arkansas have initiated requests for emergency measures with their respective governors.
• To ensure we remain proactive in addressing this weather event and to safeguard the well-being of Oklahoma residents, we strongly recommend invoking an extension of Hours of Service (HOS) regulations for drivers.

Pursuant to the delegation of authority by Governor J. Kevin Stitt in accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 390.23, due to the severe weather beginning January 5, 2025, I hereby suspend application of 49 C.F.R. § 395.3, for delivery drivers of residential heating fuel for the aforementioned inclement weather. The suspension of 49 C.F.R § 395.3 shall commence 12:01 a.m. CST on Sunday, January 5, 2025, and cease 11:59 p.m. CST on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. All counties in Oklahoma are encompassed in the suspension of application of 49 C.F.R § 395.3.

This limited suspension of 49 C.F.R. § 395.3 shall not be construed as the declaration of a natural or man-made emergency under the provisions of the Oklahoma Emergency Management Act of 2003 or any other Oklahoma law. Nor shall the limited suspension of 49 C.F.R. §395.3 be construed as an exemption from the enforcement of any other laws, regulations, or rules pertaining to the operation of commercial motor vehicles.

Respectfully,

Tim Tipton
Commissioner of Public Safety