Burgum waives hours of service for commercial drivers hauling agricultural inputs due to shortened spring planting season

Photo by: Office of U.S Congressman Kelly Armstrong
Photo by: Office of U.S Congressman Kelly Armstrong

(Bismarck, ND) -- Governor Doug Burgum Tuesday announced he has signed an executive order granting a waiver of hours of service requirements for drivers of commercial motor vehicles transporting all agricultural inputs, including dry fertilizer, liquid fertilizer, anhydrous ammonia, pesticides and seed, to assist producers in North Dakota who are facing a delayed spring and limited timeframe for planting and treating fields.

“Due to late snowfalls, extended cold, historic flooding and extreme weather events, our North Dakota farmers are facing a challenging and compressed planting season in addition to global supply chain disruptions and labor and facility shortages,” Burgum said in a statement released to WDAY Radio. “Waiving hours of service for these commercial drivers will help ensure that sufficient planting and fertilizer resources are available during this delayed and shortened planting season.”

The 30-day waiver, requested by state Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, is effective Tuesday. All road safety and vehicle compliance regulations still apply.

The full order can be viewed here.