Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, July 8, 2025:
Devastating Texas floods prompt emergency HOS waiver
In the wake of a horrific flooding event in the Texas Hill Country, an emergency declaration has been issued that gives truck drivers responding to the disaster more regulatory flexibility.
On Friday, July 4, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster covering the counties of Bandera, Coke, Comal, Concho, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, Reeves, San Saba, and Tom Green. The following day, he expanded the declaration to also include Bexar, Burnet, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Travis, and Williamson counties.
According to USA Today reporting Tuesday morning, the catastrophic flooding has claimed 109 lives, including at least 27 children and counselors from the Camp Mystic Christian girls’ camp.
“The State of Texas is working around the clock to support emergency management personnel and local officials as they continue recovery and rescue operations across the state,” Abbott said Monday. “There is still a threat of heavy rain with the potential to cause flooding in the Central Texas, Hill Country, Big Country, and Concho Valley regions. Texans are urged to remain weather aware, heed the guidance of local officials, and regularly monitor weather forecasts. Texas will remain engaged until every missing person is found and every Texan recovers from this disaster.”
Abbott’s declaration resulted in up to 14 days of emergency regulatory relief from 49 CFR 395.3 and 395.5 -- maximum driving time for property- and passenger-carrying vehicles.
On July 6, President Donald Trump issued a major disaster declaration for the state of Texas, which resulted in up to 30 days of emergency relief from federal regulations in 49 CFR Parts 390 through 399 from the date of the initial declaration of emergency. On Monday, July 7, Texas requested that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issue an emergency declaration for assistance in the restoration of essential supplies and services.
Because disaster conditions have not abated, FMCSA granted the Extension of Emergency Declaration, which provides regulatory relief from 49 CFR Parts 390-399 for commercial motor vehicle operations providing direct assistance supporting emergency relief efforts involving transportation and other relief services related to the immediate restoration of essential supplies or essential services in Texas.
According to FMCSA’s declaration, the regulatory relief provided by the declaration “applies regardless of the origin of the trip, so long as the carrier or driver is providing direct assistance to the state of Texas.”
As is typical with emergency declarations, “direct assistance does not include transportation related to long-term rehabilitation of damaged physical infrastructure after the initial threat to life and property has passed, nor does it include routine commercial deliveries, including mixed loads with a nominal quantity of qualifying emergency relief added to obtain the benefits of the declaration,” FMCSA noted.
With FMCSA’s extension, the waiver is in effect through Aug. 4, or until the end of the emergency -- whichever is earlier.
Propane haulers seek wintertime HOS relief
The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) has petitioned the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for an exemption from various hours-of-service (HOS) requirements between Dec. 15 and March 15 each year to enable the propane industry to better prepare and respond to emergencies threatening human health and safety during winter.
The requested exemption would allow drivers to drive up to 12 hours a day and be on duty up to 15 hours a day, without weekly limits. It would also replace the 34-hour restart with a 24-hour restart, with prior notice by NPGA to FMCSA.
Under the requested exemption, with prior notice to FMCSA by NPGA, any period of six consecutive days during the exemption “window” may end with the beginning of an off-duty period of 24 or more consecutive hours, as opposed to the current option of 34 or more consecutive hours off duty to reset the “weekly” HOS limits.
The requested exemption would also remove the restriction on drivers who have been on duty for 60 hours over seven consecutive days, or 70 hours over eight consecutive days. NPGA said these waivers would allow its members to respond to emergency crises.
FMCSA is accepting public comments on the request here through July 31.
Oregon moves on unauthorized movers
The Oregon Department of Transportation Commerce and Compliance Division, in partnership with local law enforcement agencies, took action to address the issue of unauthorized household goods moving companies at an operation in Clackamas County on June 25.
ODOT's Commerce and Compliance Division invited unauthorized companies that advertise moving services to locations in Clackamas County, and representatives from ODOT, the Clackamas County and Washington County Sheriff’s Offices, and the Beaverton, Oregon City and Wilsonville Police Departments informed the companies about how to become authorized movers in the state.
Law enforcement also inspected the trucks. Seven moving companies participated, and citations were issued for several violations.
According to state law, any individual or company offering to transport household items must be certified by the Oregon Department of Transportation Commerce and Compliance Division. To get certified, applicants need to prove they are fit, able and willing to provide this service. Staff reviews each applicant's application, highway use tax payment and audit history, bond and insurance filing history, criminal background information and safety records.
By enforcing the statute, ODOT said it aims to eliminate unlicensed and dishonest moving companies that can be dangerous, provide poor service and put customers at risk.
Currently, a moving company operating without a certificate is issued a $1,000 civil penalty. That penalty is set to rise to $3,000 starting Jan. 1, 2026, and will expand to also include offering, advertising or transporting without a certificate.
The following moving companies were issued citations and violations during the recent initiative based on Oregon Revised Statutes and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations:
- Axle LLC -- Operation without proper authority
- Bustami Movers LLC -- Operation without proper authority; violation driving while suspended; driving uninsured
- Confidence Moving Labor LLC -- Operation without proper authority
- Ohana Moving Company LLC -- Operation without proper authority; violation driving while suspended; driving uninsured
- Portland Movers Ready -- Operation without proper authority; failure to carry proof of liability insurance; operating vehicle without a license; operating without an active USDOT number
- RJ’s Moving & Hauling LLC -- Operation without proper authority
- Supreme Portland Movers LLC -- Operation without proper authority
