FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 23th, 2017 CONTACT: JEFF PHILLIPS 517-798-6212 (mobile)

Updated Information for Trucks Providing Wildfire Relief Aid

Last week our office confirmed that Indiana, Illinois and Missouri had agreed to waive permit fees for Michigan farm trucks providing relief aid to the Panhandle region 1.1 million acre wildfire disaster. Subsequently our office has learned that Indiana is now streamlining and simplifying the process. We are pleased to have assisted in reaching these arrangements, and would like to thank our farmers and community members for their generous support those affected by wildfires in our sister states of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. It is truly inspiring to see our communities come together to help those devastated by this wildfire disaster. Previously the State of Indiana had required submission of application forms and issued permits at no charge. We are pleased to learn that the State of Indiana has subsequently streamlined and simplified this process by issuing two blanket letters (attached) exempting trucks carrying donated agricultural supplies to the impacted region from needing to apply for these permits now through April 8, 2017. Our constituent farmers have informed us that they intend to continue providing relief aid after this date. Our office continues dialog with officials in each of these states, and encourages an extension of the deadline. Absent of an extension, it is our understanding that Indiana will resume requiring permits on April 9, 2017. We have also received clarification of procedures for the handling of oversized loads exceeding eight feet in width in the State of Missouri. Please refer to the updated instructions enclosed, and check back for further updates prior to your departure. Updated information will be posted to the website at http://www.RepHernandez.com/ as well as to our facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/RepShaneHernandez .

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UPDATED Instructions as of 3/23/2017 for trucks aiding in Panhandle wildfire relief

Indiana—The State of Indiana Department of Revenue issued a letter to International Registration Plan, Inc on March 21st indicating that the state would grant an emergency travel exemption to suspend International registration Plan (IRP) and International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) enforcement for vehicles passing through Indiana March 21st through April 8th. Additionally the Indiana Department of Transportation issued a blanket letter “Special Permit for Hauling Hay in Response to Wildfires in Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma” on March 20th exempting trucks providing wildfire relief from requiring an Oversize/Overweight Vehicle Permit through April 8th 2017. Most M204 general provisions still apply, with certain exceptions:

1. Continuous travel is allowed seven days per week, except during hazardous weather conditions and/or when visibility is less than 500 feet.

2. All oversize vehicle marking requirements must be followed, and clearance lights must be used instead of flags at the edges of the load when traveling at night.

Please print copies of both documents and keep them in the cab of your vehicle. If you have any questions or are scheduling to depart after April 8th, please contact James Vest with the Indiana Department of Revenue Motor Carrier Services division at (317) 615-7247 regarding IRP and IFTA requirements, and contact the Indiana Department of Transportation at (317) 234-7911 regarding Oversized Load requirements.

Illinois— The Illinois Department of Revenue “Emergency Waiver of IFTA Registration Regarding Texas Wild Fires” notice dated March 17th, 2017 has been communicated to the state’s law enforcement officers via the LEADS (Law Enforcement Automated Data System). Please keep a copy of this notice in the vehicle. It indicates that:

“Effective March 17, 2017 through April 30, 2017, a qualified commercial motor vehicle traveling within the State of Illinois that is stopped or otherwise detained by order of a State or Local Law Enforcement Officer, or other lawful authority, and which is found to be operating without registration under the Illinois Motor Fuel Use Tax Act, or without a single trip permit, shall not be ticketed or otherwise penalized for such violation if the operator of the vehicle can provide proof that the destination of the vehicle is to a point within the wildfire areas declared by the Governor of Texas, or that the vehicle’s destination is to a point outside the State of Illinois and the vehicle’s last destination was within the wildfire area.”

Missouri—Please e-mail a list of trucks to tara.spencer@modot.mo.gov. Indicate in the e-mail that you will be aiding in relief efforts for the Panhandle region wildfire disaster. For each truck, please list:

Name of Farm and/or Truck owner name

Truck year and make

Michigan license plate number

Truck VIN number

List names of all potential drivers for each particular truck

Phone number and e-mail address of someone MoDOT may send letters to.

MoDOT will prepare individualized letters to keep in each vehicle. Trucks planning a weekend departure should submit their request by no later than Thursday at 7 PM eastern time to allow MoDOT time prepare and e-mail these letters on Friday.

If any truck will have a load measuring more than 8 feet 6 inches in width, the truck will additionally need an oversized load permit. Oversized load permits will be issued at no charge and allow a maximum width of 12 feet. To obtain one, call 1-866-831-6277 and press Option 1. You do not need an escrow account number. Inform the MoDOT personnel that you will be participating in the wildfire relief efforts. The following MoDOT news release explains more: http://www.modot.org/newsandinfo/District0News.shtml?action=displaySSI&newsId=210366

March 21, 2017

Tim Adams

International Registration Plan, Inc.

4196 Merchant Plaza #225

Lake Ridge, VA 22192

Dear Mr. Adams,

Wildfires in Texas, Kansas, and Oklahoma have created an emergency need for animal feed delivery. Indiana,

through the Department of Revenue, has granted a temporary emergency travel exemption to suspend

International Registration Plan (IRP) and International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) enforcement for vehicles

traveling through Indiana from March 21st through April 8th to provide immediate aid, emergency response,

recovery and support in Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma.

The IFTA and IRP regulation emergency exemption is effective Tuesday, March 21, 2017 and will continue through

Saturday, April 8, 2017. Enforcement action will recommence April 9, 2017.

For more information or questions regarding this exemption please contact the IRP Unit at (317) 615-7340 or IFTA at

(317) 615-7345.

Best regards,

Adam Krupp, Commissioner

Indiana Department of Revenue

100 N. Senate Avenue

Indianapolis, IN 46204-2253

cc: Indiana State Police

cc: Rex Steffey, Executive Director

cc: Lonette Turner, IFTA Inc.

“Equal Opportunity Employer”

Indiana Department of RevenueGeneral Provisions of an

Oversize/Overweight Vehicle Permit

M-204(R11 / 11-16)

Required Markings• Oversize Vehicles must be marked on front and rear with a sign reading

“OVER-SIZE LOAD.”• The sign must be at least 18 inches high and between 6 to 8

feet long.• The letters must be black, 12 inches high, with a 2-inch stroke

on yellow background.• Color combinations or wording approved by other states will be

permitted, when trip originates outside Indiana.• Vehicles must be marked with 2 red or orange flags, placed at the widest

extremities of the vehicle or load.• Flags must be in good condition, plain or orange with no figures.• Flags must be 18 inches square and placed so that approaching

traffic can see them.Lighting• All provisions of 49 CFR 393.11 apply, plus the following:• Permitted vehicles must have low beam headlights on while transport-

ing a load.• Mobile homes and sectionalized buildings having widths of 12 feet

4 inches or more must be equipped with four high intensity, amber, flashing lights.

• Two of these must be mounted on the front. Two must be mounted on the rear of the combination.

• Lights mounted on the load must be placed at the outer edges and not be less than 6 feet above the roadway.

• Front lights may be mounted on the towing vehicle at furthest extreme of any safety device, not extending beyond the mirrors, and must be double-faced lamps, visible both on front and rear.

• Lights must be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight.Flagmen• Flagmen will be provided by the transporting company at all locations

needing such traffic control. Locations needing such flagmen include: encroachment into opposing traffic lanes and stops, or blockages of traffic locations where stops are not normally required by existing traffic control devices. More information about traffic control regulation may be found at 105 IAC 9-2.

Speed• Any permitted vehicle over 85’ long, or 10’6” wide, or above legal height

may not exceed 55 miles per hour.Blockage of Traffic• Permitted vehicles must not block traffic at any time from use of the

highway, including the loading and unloading of equipment.• Permitted vehicles must not be parked either day or night on the shoul-

der or right-of-way.• Permitted vehicles will use the highway shoulder only on those occa-

sions necessary to allow for the safe unrestricted passage of oncoming/passing traffic.

Vehicle Operators• Operators must be 18 years of age or older and hold a valid Indiana

Chauffeurs License or Commercial Driver’s License, whichever is ap-plicable.

• Drivers must have the vehicle permit in possession during transport and must show permit, on demand, to any police officer, motor carrier inspector, or any authorized employee of the State of Indiana.

• The mover and/or owner of the vehicle and/or load will be held respon-sible in the event that it is necessary to remove any buildings, railings, or other structures from the highway. In the event that any buildings, railings, or other structures are damaged, the cost of the removal and/or damage will be the responsibility of the permit applicant.

Weather• Permitted oversized vehicles are not allowed to operate during hazard-

ous weather, road, or traffic conditions, and/or when visibility is less than 500 feet. Permitted vehicles may not operate when wind velocity exceeds 25 miles per hour.

Escort Vehicle(s) Requirements• Permitted vehicles must have escorts when they exceed:

• 12’4” in width, 110’ in length or 14’6” in height • One escort vehicle must be in front when on undivided highway

and in rear when on divided highways• If over 14’6” high, must have an escort with a height stick

traveling in front of load• If between 14”4” and 17” wide, one rear escort on a dual lane

divided highway and two escorts (front and rear) on all other roads.

• Escort vehicles must have a minimum of 4 wheels with a maximum gross registered weight of 11,000 lbs. Must have a flashing amber light mounted on top and an oversize load sign, which is visible to approaching traffic. Must have radio communication with permitted vehicle and/or load and may not be more than 500 feet from permitted vehicle and/or load.

Other Provisions• This permit does not apply to any state roads or bridges that are closed

for construction purposes, or to any roads or bridges that are posted for gross load limits, and/or any roads, structures, wires, etc., having a restricted height and/or width clearance that will not clear said load.

• This permit does not apply to I-65 or I-70 inside I-465.• This permit does not apply to any county roads or city streets.• Any violation of this permit shall automatically cause the permit to be

void. Upon violation the police officer or motor carrier inspector will have the authority to withdraw your permit.

• All transporting vehicles must meet all safety requirements as set forth in Title 49, CFR (Code of Federal Regulations).

• This permit does not cover license or other registration requirements.• Prepass carriers must enter open scales when operating under an

OS/OW permit.Holiday Restrictions• Permitted vehicles may not operate on state highways from 12:00 noon

the last weekday preceding and continuing until ½ hour before sunrise on the day following: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving day and Christmas day.

• OVERWEIGHT COMMODITY permits are exempt from travel restric-tions. Vehicles with Overweight Commodity Permits are no longer subject to holiday travel restrictions and may travel continuously during holiday periods. Overweight Commodity Permits apply to those vehicles with a permit to haul metal commodities up to 120,000 pounds or agri-cultural commodities up to 97,000 pounds.

Hours of Operation

Up to 110’ long 10’ wide, 13’6” high, and under 200,000 lbs Continuous travel 7 days a week.

Over 110’ long, 10’-14’4” wide, up to 15’ high 7 days a week (1/2 hr before sunrise - 1/2 hr after sunset)

Between 14’4” and 16’ wide Monday - Friday (1/2 hr before sunrise - 1/2 hr after sunset)

Over 16’ wide, or over 15’ high, or over 200,000 lbs gross vehicle weight Monday - Friday 8:30am - 3:30pm (other provisions may apply)

Up to 110 long, 11’6 wide, 13’ 6” high and 120,000 lbs (for paving equip-ment only to travel between jobsite(s) and home base with red/amber flashing light at widest point)

Monday-Friday (1 ½ hour before sunrise -1 ½ hour after sunset)

Permitted Mobile Homes and Sectionalized Buildings between 8’6” and 14’4” wide

Monday - Friday (1/2 hr before sunrise - 1/2 hr after sunset) Saturday (1/2 hr before sunrise - 12:00 noon)

Note to Enforcement Agencies: Advise the Indiana Department of Revenue as soon as possible after withdrawing this permit by calling (317) 615-7320.

State of Illinois Emergency Waiver of IFTA Registration

Regarding Texas Wild Fires March 17, 2017

On March 17, 2017, The Illinois Department of Revenue was asked by the Office of the Governor of Texas, by way of the Illinois State Police, to allow motor carriers to travel into or through Illinois carrying hay to Texas without the benefit of IFTA registration or single trip permits. This request pertains to the recent wildfires occurring in Texas that have destroyed hay for their cattle. Pursuant to 35 ILCS 505/13a.4 and 35 ILCS 505/13a.5, Illinois will waive motor fuel use tax licensing requirements for IFTA-qualified motor vehicles providing hay for cattle to the affected areas requested by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. This statute provides:

For commercial motor vehicles traveling into the State of Illinois, through Illinois, or returning to Illinois from a point outside Illinois, for the purpose of providing emergency goods and services to and within areas requiring disaster relief, the Director may suspend requirements for licensing or permits required by the Illinois Motor Fuel Tax Act.

Effective March 17, 2017 through April 30, 2017, a qualified commercial motor vehicle traveling within the State of Illinois that is stopped or otherwise detained by order of a State or Local Law Enforcement Officer, or other lawful authority, and which is found to be operating without registration under the Illinois Motor Fuel Use Tax Act, or without a single trip permit, shall not be ticketed or otherwise penalized for such violation if the operator of the vehicle can provide proof that the destination of the vehicle is to a point within the wildfire areas declared by the Governor of Texas

within the wildfire area. Trent Knoles, Illinois IFTA Commissioner

Illinois Department of Revenue 101 W. Jefferson Street Springfield, IL 62702

Constance Beard Director

3/22/2017 MoDOT News Release

http://www.modot.org/newsandinfo/District0News.shtml?action=displaySSI&newsId=210366 1/1

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MoDOT News Release 

March 14, 2017 10:52 AM

JEFFERSON CITY – Wildfires in states west of Missouri are consuming large swaths of livestock pasture. As a result, livestock producers are in great need ofanimal feed. In order to streamline relief efforts, the Missouri Department of Transportation, at the request of Gov. Eric Greitens and in consultation with theMissouri Department of Agriculture, is waiving travel time restrictions for those hauling oversize loads of hay in Missouri.

Oversize permits are required of loads exceeding 8’6” in width. Through April 8, 2017, permits for overwide loads of hay will:

 Be issued free of charge

 Be issued up to 12’ wide (load length, height and weight must remain within legal limits)

 Allow travel during curfew hours and at night

These continuous movement oversize permits are only available to those hauling hay in direct response to disaster relief efforts.

Drivers must abide by all other permit regulations including the use of reflective oversize load signs and clearance lights instead of flags at the edges of loadswhen hauling at night or when visibility is less than 500 feet.

For assistance obtaining an oversize permit, carriers may contact MoDOT Motor Carrier Services at 18008778499 between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

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