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February 3, 2023
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UPDATE: Governor Kemp Renews Truck Weights Executive Order, Expires March 11

UPDATE (Feb. 3): Governor Kemp renewed the Executive Order pertaining to the State of Emergency for Supply Chain Disruptions (linked here), which contains a provision allowing log trucks and other commercial vehicles to haul up to 95,000 lbs. The Executive Order is set to expire on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. unless it is renewed by Governor Kemp prior to expiration. 

Under Governor Brian Kemp’s Executive Order, log trucks (and other commercial vehicles) are permitted to continue to utilizing the special weight permit allowing up to 95,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight, renewed at the discretion of the Governor.Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March of 2020, log trucks and other commercial vehicles in Georgia have been able to haul up to 95,0000 lbs. thanks to a Public Health State of Emergency Executive Order that has been renewed month to month. In April, Gov. Kemp let the COVID-19 executive order expire which included the 95,000 lbs. for truck weights; however,  he immediately implemented a new Supply Chain Executive Order that includes the same truck weights provision.GFA’s Government Affairs Team has been in constant contact with the Governor’s Office, and we will continue to report on updates and renewals to the Executive Order as needed. GFA’s President and CEO Andres Villegas applauded the Governor’s continued leadership and support of Georgia’s forestry supply chain. “Our harvest and haul sector is under tremendous pressure that is exacerbated by a shortage of labor, some of the highest insurance rates in the U.S. South and the lowest truck weights. This year’s legislative session provided us with a unique, yet unexpected, opportunity to discuss a more permanent solution for raising Georgia’s weight tolerances, but more time is needed for us to do the work necessary to get this across the finish line,” Villegas said. “We are thankful for the Governor’s continued attention and leadership on this issue as we continue to advocate for ways to address this supply chain crisis.”

  • To apply for a permit from the Department of Public Safety visit https://gapros.dot.ga.gov/ or call the following numbers during normal business hours:
    • 844-837-5500 (Preferred Number, Third Party Permit Vendor)
    • 404-624-7258 (DPS # if you have trouble)
  • The permit applies to chip trucks, lumber flatbeds, and all other commercial traffic in addition to log trucks.

HISTORY OF TRUCK WEIGHTS EXECUTIVE ORDERS

EXECUTIVE ORDER DECLARING A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS

  • January 10, 2023: Governor Kemp Executive Order pertaining to the State of Emergency for Supply Chain Disruptions was renewed (linked here). Governor Kemp did not renew the Executive Order pertaining to the suspension of the gas tax, and it officially expired on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at 11:59 p.m.
  • December 8, 2022: Governor Kemp Executive Orders pertaining to Supply Chain Disruptions (linked here) and the gas tax suspension (linked here) were renewed.
  • November 4, 2022: Governor Kemp Executive Orders pertaining Supply Chain Disruptions (linked here) and the gas tax suspension (linked here) were renewed.
  • October 3, 2022: Governor Kemp Executive Orders pertaining to Supply Chain Disruptions (linked here) and the gas tax suspension (linked here) were renewed.
  • September 1, 2022: Governor Kemp Executive Orders pertaining to Supply Chain Disruptions (linked here) and the gas tax suspension (linked here) were renewed.
  • August 4, 2022: Governor Kemp Executive Orders pertaining to Supply Chain Disruptions (linked here) and the gas tax suspension (linked here) were renewed.
  • July 1, 2022: Governor Kemp renewed the Executive Order pertaining to Supply Chain Disruptions (linked here), and he signed an Executive Order to suspend the state gas tax (linked here).
  • May 26, 2022: Governor Kemp’s Executive Order for Supply Chain Disruptions was renewed (linked here).
  • April 14, 2022: Recognizing the continued supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Kemp signed an Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency for Supply Chain Disruptions (linked here), which continued the provision allowing increased haul weights for log trucks and other commercial vehicles to not exceed 95,000 lbs. with the issue of a permit.

EXECUTIVE ORDER DECLARING A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR CONTINUED COVID-19 ECONOMIC RECOVERY

  • March 21, 2022: Governor Kemp renewed the Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency for Continued COVID-19 Economic Recovery (linked here), and it expired on April 15, 2022.
  • February 18, 2022: Governor Kemp renewed the Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency for Continued COVID-19 Economic Recovery (linked here)
  • January 18, 2022: Governor Kemp renewed the Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency for Continued COVID-19 Economic Recovery (linked here)
  • December 17, 2021: Governor Kemp renewed the Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency for Continued COVID-19 Economic Recovery (linked here)
  • November 19, 2021: Governor Kemp renewed the Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency for Continued COVID-19 Economic Recovery (linked here)
  • October 21, 2021: Governor Kemp renewed the Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency for Continued COVID-19 Economic Recovery (linked here)
  • September 20, 2021: Governor Kemp renewed the Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency for Continued COVID-19 Economic Recovery (linked here)
  • The Public Health State of Emergency Executive Order Expired on July 1, 2021. On June 30, 2021, Governor Kemp signed an Executive Order (linked here) to declare a State of Emergency for Continued COVID-19 Economic Recovery, and this order was renewed on July 22, 2021 (linked here) and August 19, 2021 (linked here). On August 30, 2021, Governor Kemp issued an Executive Order (linked here) to include the provisions related to increased allowable haul weights up to 95,000 lbs. with a permit for log trucks and other commercial vehicles within the State of Emergency for Continued COVID-19 Economic Recovery. For 61 days, from July 1, 2021, to August 30, 2021, the provisions allowing increased weights for log trucks and other commercial vehicles were not permitted.

DECLARING A COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH STATE OF EMERGENCY

  • June 22, 2021: Governor Kemp renewed the Public Health State of Emergency for COVID-19 Executive Order (linked here), and it expired on July 1, 2021.
  • May 28, 2021: Governor Kemp renewed the Public Health State of Emergency for COVID-19 Executive Order (linked here)
  • April 23, 2021: Governor Kemp renewed the Public Health State of Emergency for COVID-19 Executive Order (linked here)
  • March 31, 2021: Governor Kemp renewed the Public Health State of Emergency for COVID-19 Executive Order (linked here)
  • February 26, 2021: Governor Kemp renewed the Public Health State of Emergency for COVID-19 Executive Order (linked here)
  • January 29, 2021: Governor Kemp renewed the Public Health State of Emergency for COVID-19 Executive Order (linked here)
  • December 30, 2020: Governor Kemp renewed the Public Health State of Emergency for COVID-19 Executive Order (linked here)
  • November 30, 2020: Governor Kemp renewed the Public Health State of Emergency for COVID-19 Executive Order (linked here)
  • October 30, 2020: Governor Kemp renewed the Public Health State of Emergency for COVID-19 Executive Order (linked here)
  • September 30, 2020: Governor Kemp renewed the Public Health State of Emergency for COVID-19 Executive Order (linked here)
  • August 31, 2020: Governor Kemp renewed the Public Health State of Emergency for COVID-19 Executive Order (linked here)
  • July 31, 2020: Governor Kemp renewed the Public Health State of Emergency for COVID-19 Executive Order (linked here)
  • June 29, 2020: Governor Kemp renewed the Public Health State of Emergency for COVID-19 Executive Order (linked here)
  • May 28, 2020: Governor Kemp renewed the Public Health State of Emergency for COVID-19 Executive Order (linked here)
  • April 30, 2020: Governor Kemp renewed the Public Health State of Emergency for COVID-19 Executive Order (linked here)
  • April 8, 2020: Governor Kemp renewed the Public Health State of Emergency for COVID-19 Executive Order (linked here)
  • March 13, 2020: Governor Kemp signed the original Executive Order declaring a Public Health State of Emergency for COVID-19 (linked here). The original Executive Order contained a provision allowing log trucks and other commercial vehicles to obtain a special permit, allowing an increased GVW of 95,000 lbs.