118 HR 7496 IH: Modernizing Operations for Vehicles in Emergencies Act U.S. House of Representatives 2024-02-29 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I118th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 7496IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFebruary 29, 2024Mr. Johnson of South Dakota (for himself and Mr. Costa) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and InfrastructureA BILLTo amend title 23, United States Code, to improve responses to emergencies, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Modernizing Operations for Vehicles in Emergencies Act or the MOVE Act.

2.

Modernizing authority for certain vehicle permits during emergencies and certain other conditions

Section 127(i) of title 23, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:(i)

Special permits during emergencies and certain other conditions

(1)

In general

Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a State may issue special permits to overweight vehicles and loads that can easily be dismantled or divided if the conditions of either paragraph (2) or paragraph (3) are met.(2)

Presidential declaration

The conditions of this paragraph are—(A)the President has declared an emergency or a major disaster pursuant to section 401 or 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170; 5191);(B)the permits described in paragraph (1) are issued in accordance with State law;(C)the permits are issued exclusively to vehicles and loads that are delivering relief supplies or supplies that facilitate recovery or return to normalcy; and(D)a permit shall expire not later than 120 days after the date of the declaration described in subparagraph (A), unless the permit expiration date is extended by the Governor of the State issuing such permit.(3)

Governor declaration

The conditions of this paragraph are the following:(A)A Governor of a State has declared that—(i)emergency or other unusual conditions, including weather, fire, earthquake, disease, or natural emergencies and including financial or other non-natural emergencies, are having a negative impact on commerce in the State; or(ii)supply chain function is substantially impaired in the State, either in terms of slow overall movement, freight traffic congestion, or otherwise.(B)The permits described in paragraph (1) are issued in accordance with State law.(C)The authority to issue a permit described in paragraph (1) shall expire 270 days after a Governor makes a declaration pursuant to subparagraph (A), unless the expiration date is extended by the Governor, which may be for a period of not more than 90 days.(D)A permit issued pursuant to this paragraph shall expire on the date on which the period of authority to issue a permit under subparagraph (C) ends, including any extension of such period of authority..