State of North Carolina Executive Order No. 32

State of North Carolina
ROY COOPER
GOVERNOR
January 3, 2018
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 32
TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF MOTOR VEHICLE REGULATIONS TO ENSURERESTORATION OF UTILITY SERVICES AND THE TRANSPORTATION OF ESSENTIALS

WHEREAS, the approach of a winter storm will require the transportation of vehicles bearing equipment and supplies for utility restoration and debris removal, vehicles carrying essentials such as food and medicine, and vehicles transporting livestock and poultry and feed for livestock and poultry through North Carolina highways; and

WHEREAS, I have declared that a state of emergency as defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. 166A19.3(6) and 166A-19.3(19) exists due to the approaching winter storm and its likely impact on this State;  and

WHEREAS, the emergency area as defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. 166A-19.3(7) and 166A-19.20(b) is the State of North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, the uninterrupted supply of electricity, fuel oil, diesel oil, gasoline, kerosene,  propane, liquid petroleum gas, food, water, livestock and poultry feed, and medical supplies to residential and commercial establishments is essential before, during, and after the winter storm and any interruption in the delivery of those commodities threatens the public welfare; and

WHEREAS, the prompt restoration of utility services is essential to the safety and well-being of the State's residents; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to N.C. Gen. State. 166A-19.30(b)(3) the Governor, with the concurrence of the Council of State, may regulate and control the flow of vehicular traffic and the operation of transportation services; and

WHEREAS, with the concurrence of the Council of State, I have found that vehicles engaging in debris removal, bearing equipment and supplies for utility restoration, and carrying essentials must adhere to the registration requirements of N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-86.1 and 20-382, the fuel tax requirements of N.C. Gen. Stat. 105-449.45, 105-449.47, and 105-449.49, and the size and weight requirements of N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-116, 20-118, and 20-119; and

WHEREAS, I have found that the State's residents may suffer losses and will likely suffer imminent, further widespread damage within the scope of N.C. Gen. Stat. 166A-19.3(3) and 166A19.21 (b); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 166A-19.70(g), upon the recommendation of the North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture and the existence of an imminent threat of severe economic loss of livestock or poultry, the Governor shall direct the North Carolina Department of Public Safety ("DPS") to suspend weighing vehicles used to transport livestock and poultry; and

WHEREAS, 49 C.F.R. 390.23 allows the Governor of a state to suspend the rules and regulations under 49 C.F.R. Parts 390-399 for up to thirty (30) days if the Governor determines that an emergency condition exists; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 166A-19.70, the Governor may declare that the health, safety, or economic well-being of persons or property requires that the maximum hours of service for drivers prescribed by N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-381 should be waived for (1) persons transporting essential fuels, food, water, medical supplies, and feed for livestock and poultry, (2) persons transporting livestock and poultry and (3) persons operating vehicles used in the restoration of utility services.

NOW, THEREFORE, by the authority vested in me as Governor by the Constitution and the laws of the State of North Carolina, IT IS ORDERED:

Section 1.
For purposes of this Executive Order, the emergency area is the entire State of North Carolina ("the Emergency Area").

Section 2.
DPS, in conjunction with the North Carolina Department of Transportation ("DOT"), shall waive the maximum hours of service for drivers prescribed by DPS pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-381.

Section 3.
DPS, in conjunction with DOT, shall waive certain size and weight restrictions and penalties arising under N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-1 16, 20-1 18, and 20-1 19, certain registration requirements and penalties arising under N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-86.1 and 20-382, and certain registration and filing requirements and penalties arising under N.C. Gen. Stat. 105-449.45, 105-449.47, and 105-449.49 for vehicles transporting equipment and supplies for the restoration of utility services and transportation facilities and vehicles carrying essentials and equipment for debris removal. Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-1 18. 1, DPS shall temporarily suspend weighing vehicles used to transport livestock and poultry and feed to livestock and poultry in the Emergency Area.

Section 4.
Notwithstanding the waivers set forth above, size and weight restrictions and penalties have not been waived under the following conditions:

1. When the vehicle weight exceeds the maximum gross weight, criteria established by the manufacturer (GVWR) or 90,000 pounds’ gross weight, whichever is less.
2. When the tandem axle weight exceeds 42,000 pounds and the single axle weight exceeds 22,000 pounds.
3. When a vehicle and vehicle combination exceed twelve (12) feet in width and the total overall vehicle combination's length exceeds seventy-five (75) feet from bumper to bumper.
4. Vehicles and vehicle combinations subject to exemptions or permits by authority of this Executive Order shall not be exempt from the requirement of having (i) a yellow banner on the front and rear that is seven (7) feet long and eighteen (18) inches wide and bears the legend "Oversized Load" in ten (10) inch black letters 1.5 inches wide and (ii) red flags measuring eighteen (18) inches square on all sides at the widest point of the load. In addition, when operating between sunset and sunrise, a certified escort shall be required for loads exceeding eight (8) feet 6 inches in width.

Section 5.
Vehicles referenced under Sections 3 and 4 of this Executive Order shall be exempt from the following registration requirements:

1. The requirement to obtain a temporary trip permit and pay the associated $50.00 fee listed in N.C. Gen. Stat. 105-449.49 is waived for such vehicles. No filing of a quarterly fuel tax return is required as the exemption in N.C. Gen. Stat. 105-449.45(b)(l) applies.
2. The registration requirements under N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-382.1 and 20-382 concerning intrastate and g interstate for-hire authority are waived; however, vehicles shall maintain the required limits of insurance as required.
3. Non-participants in North Carolina's International Registration Plan and International Fuel Tax Agreement will be permitted to enter North Carolina in accordance with the exemptions identified in this Executive Order.

Section 6.
The size and weight exemption for vehicles will be allowed on all DOT designated routes, except those routes designated as light traffic roads under N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-118. This order shall not be in effect on bridges posted pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 136-72.

Section 7.
The waiver of regulations under Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations ("Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations") does not apply to the Commercial Driver's License and Insurance Requirements. This waiver shall be in effect for thirty (30) days or the duration of the emergency, whichever is less.

Section 8.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol shall enforce the conditions set forth in Sections 2 through 7 of this Executive Order in a manner that does not endanger North Carolina motorists.

Section 9.
Upon request by law enforcement officers, exempted vehicles must produce documentation sufficient to establish that their loads are being used for bearing equipment and supplies for utility restoration and debris removal, carrying essentials in commerce, carrying feed for livestock and poultry, or transporting livestock and poultry in the State of North Carolina.

Section 10.
This Executive Order does not prohibit or restrict lawfully possessed firearms or ammunition or impose any limitation on the consumption, transportation, sale or purchase of alcoholic beverages as provided in N.C. Gen. Stat. 166A-19.30(c).

Section 11.
Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 166A-19.23, this declaration triggers the prohibition against excessive pricing as provided in N.C. Gen. Stat. 75-37 and 75-38 in the Emergency Area.

Section 12.
This Executive Order is effective immediately and shall remain in effect for thirty (30) days or the duration of the emergency, whichever is less.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in the City of Raleigh, this 3rd day of January in the year of our Lord two thousand and eighteen.

ATTEST:
Elaine F. Marshall
Secretary of State