TOPEKA, Kansas - Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson declared his intention to honor and support an Executive Order issued by Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry that temporarily suspends certain provisions of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act. Henry suspended sections 390 through 399 of the regulations for interstate and intrastate carriers who are providing direct assistance for the immediate restoration of essential services interrupted by recent winter storms that hit Oklahoma. The suspension is for a 30 day period, beginning Feb. 2.

“Kansas will give its full cooperation to this order by Governor Henry in order to expedite emergency relief for our neighbors to the south,” said Parkinson. “All motor carriers who meet the criteria outlined by Governor Henry will be exempt from the specified regulations while passing through Kansas.”

“As fellow Midwesterners, we understand from experience the severe impact winter storms can have on supplies of food and fuel and to electrical, water, sewer and other utilities essential to the health and safety of our citizens,” Parkinson said. “It is in the spirit of mutual cooperation that I make this declaration to support Governor Henry’s order.”

Parkinson’s order temporarily suspends the fees associated with over-dimension/overweight permits. However, participating carriers who transport these loads must still obtain permits. The order also allows motor carriers to operate during low visibility and during night, holiday and curfew hours with clearance lights.

In addition, the order temporarily suspends requirements contained in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, CFR 49, Parts 390-399 under the authority of CFR 49, Part 390.23. All other regulations in CFR 49 shall apply.

Parkinson issued a similar order in January for 38 Kansas counties in response to the severe winter storms and dangerous temperatures that affected the state early in the month. Parkinson’s five-day order lifted certain provisions of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act dealing with hours of service, allowing motor carriers to work longer hours in order to make certain adequate supplies of heating fuel could be delivered to customers.