Emergency Declaration Issued by President Trump / HOS Exemption for Fuel Haulers Issued by Colorado State Patrol

This is a challenging time for our state and country, and our industry is being stressed greatly by some panic buying in certain sectors.  While other businesses are closing for a period of time, the trucking industry cannot because of its importance to our economy and our quality of life.

CMCA will continue with our regular business hours to support our companies and their people.  There are a number of questions and issues that have arisen during this crisis and more will occur.  CMCA will continue to help answer questions, dispel rumors, and provide information and assistance to our members.

However, while we will remain open, we will continue to assess our currently scheduled meetings and events.  At this time, here are a few updates:

• Executive Board Meeting on March 18^th will occur by conference call
• Board of Directors Meeting on March 18^th has been cancelled

CMCA has been monitoring the situation over the weekend.  Two very important declarations were issued.  On Friday, FMCSA issued relief from Hours of Service for certain carriers involved with relief efforts from the COVID-19 situation.  On Saturday, at the request of several industry groups including CMCA, the Colorado State Patrol issued relief from Hours of Service for fuel haulers to assist in the backlog at refineries and extra capacity issues we have begun to experience.

Please read the notice below, and click on the links for further information.  CMCA is here to serve you, our members, and to help you in all ways possible.  Please don’t hesitate to contact us.

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Emergency Declaration Issued by President Trump  / HOS Exemption for Fuel Haulers Issued by Colorado State Patrol

On Friday afternoon, President Trump declared a national emergency that includes exemption from Part 390-399 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for those involved with relief efforts from the COVID-19 situation.  To further assist our members in managing critical supplies of fuel, the Colorado State Patrol has issued an HOS exemption for Fuel Haulers.  See below for the actual documentation.

Click here for info on the exemption from FMCSA.

Click here for a copy of the Emergency Declaration (in pdf).

Click here for a copy of the HOS Exemption Letter for Fuel Haulers

Please read the declaration.  CMCA is working closely with FMCSA, state agencies, our other state trucking association affiliates, and the American Trucking Associations, and we call your attention to the section clarifying what qualifies for this emergency relief from HOS regulations:

This Emergency Declaration provides regulatory relief for commercial motor vehicle operations that are providing direct assistance in support of emergency relief efforts related to the COVID-19 outbreaks, including transportation to meet immediate needs for: (1) medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19; (2) supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants; (3) food for emergency restocking of stores; (4) equipment, supplies and persons necessary to establish and manage temporary housing, quarantine, and isolation facilities related to COVID-19; (5) persons designated by Federal, State or local authorities for medical, isolation, or quarantine purposes; and (6) persons necessary to provide other medical or emergency services, the supply of which may be affected by the COVID-19 response. Direct assistance does not include routine commercial deliveries, or transportation of mixed loads that include essential supplies, equipment and persons, along with supplies, equipment and persons that are not being transported in support of emergency relief efforts related to the COVID-19 outbreaks.

CMCA will keep our members up to date on any new developments that could impact the trucking industry via email and via our social media channels.

If you have any questions about the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations or about the Emergency Declaration, please contact Patti Gillette at [email protected]