SSB 1138

Federal law authorizes states to issue special permits allowing the transportation of overweight, divisible loads during emergencies if the president of the United States has declared the emergency to be a major disaster, the permits are issued in accordance with state law, and the permits are issued exclusively for vehicles that are delivering relief supplies. Under current law, the Iowa department of transportation (DOT) does not have the authority to issue such special permits pursuant to the federal authorization. 463. The bill allows the DOT to issue special permits to commercial motor carriers that cover all vehicles operated under a carrier’s interstate or intrastate motor carrier number, provided all vehicles operating under the commercial motor carrier’s permit are delivering relief supplies.