ST. PAUL – Gov. Tim Walz signed Emergency Executive Order 19-04 granting a temporary exemption from the hours of service requirements in state law for drivers of commercial vehicles hauling propane and other fuels.

Minnesota has faced extreme cold weather and a series of significant snowstorms since the last week of January.

Those conditions have prompted an increased demand for the delivery of propane and other fuels into Minnesota. Because the conditions have complicated the delivery process, the supply of propane in the state is low. The order provides relief from certain hours of service requirements, which will allow carriers to travel farther distances to acquire propane and other fuels and return it to areas where it is needed.

Waiving the hours of service requirements ensures that carriers and drivers can deliver propane to the citizens who need the fuel and which will protect the lives and well-being of those in need.

The Emergency Executive Order went into effect Friday and remains in effect until 6 p.m. Saturday, March 9.

All other safety requirements pertaining to the driver and vehicle still apply.