Governor Pawlenty today signed an emergency executive order waiving certain restrictions for drivers of commercial vehicles engaged in the transportation of gasoline and of motor fuels. The emergency order will ease the distribution of gasoline across Greater Minnesota.
EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE ORDER 07-08
PROVIDING FOR EMERGENCY RELIEF FROM REGULATIONS TO MOTOR CARRIERS AND DRIVERS OPERATING IN MINNESOTA
I, TIM PAWLENTY, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Minnesota Statutes 2006, Section 221.0269, do hereby issue this Emergency Executive Order:
WHEREAS, many motor fuel terminals outside of the seven county metropolitan area are experiencing difficulties in obtaining their full supply of gasoline; and
WHEREAS, the motor fuel terminals are part of the distribution chain and gasoline from the terminals is pumped into trucks for delivery to local gas stations across Greater Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, many drivers who haul motor fuels are experiencing delays at the terminals before they are able to fill their trucks, or are needing to obtain motor fuels from alternative terminals which are further from their delivery area; and
WHEREAS, because drivers are obtaining motor fuels at alternative terminals, long lines and delays are being experienced at motor fuel terminals across the state; and
WHEREAS, the week of July 4th is one of the peak travel times within Minnesota and relief is needed to ensure that gas stations remain supplied with adequate amounts of motor fuel for Minnesota consumers to ensure that consumers living and traveling in Greater Minnesota are not stranded without adequate access to necessary motor fuels.
NOW, THEREFORE, I hereby declare that:
1. A state of emergency exists in Minnesota that requires relief from regulations incorporated in Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 221.0314, subdivision 9, pertaining to hours of service for carriers and drivers of commercial motor vehicles while in the process of obtaining and transporting motor fuels.
2. Nothing herein shall be construed to relieve motor carriers and drivers from regulations pertaining to qualifications of drivers, driving of commercial motor vehicles, commercial drivers’ licenses, drug and alcohol testing and use or financial responsibility.
3. No motor carrier operating under the terms of this emergency order shall require or allow a fatigued or ill driver to operate a motor vehicle. A driver who informs a carrier that he or she needs immediate rest shall be given at least eight consecutive hours off duty before the driver is required return to service.
4. Upon the expiration date of this emergency order, or when a driver has been relieved of all duty and responsibility to provide direct assistance to the emergency effort, a driver that has had at least 34 consecutive hours off-duty shall be permitted to start his or her on-duty status hours of service record at zero.
This order shall be effective immediately and shall remain in effect until 12:01 a.m. CDT July 19, 2007, unless superseded or extended under Minnesota Statutes, section 221.0269, Subdivision 2.
