Gov. Greg Gianforte signed an executive order Monday temporarily relaxing motor carrier regulations on truck driver hours, a move aimed at helping ranchers across Montana get hay to their cattle during what has shaped up to be a brutal stretch for livestock operations.
The waiver suspends several rules governing how long commercial truck drivers can remain on the road, making it easier for hay haulers to complete longer runs without hitting federally mandated rest requirements. For ranchers in the Helena area and across the state who have been scrambling to keep feed in front of their herds, the order removes at least one logistical obstacle from an already difficult season.
Gianforte has used executive authority before to ease transportation rules during agricultural emergencies, and this order follows a pattern of the state stepping in when weather or supply pressures threaten the livestock industry that underpins much of Montana's rural economy. The hay shortage has put pressure on ranchers who depend on timely deliveries from producers in other parts of the state or neighboring states.
The order is temporary, applying only for the duration of the declared emergency period. Ranchers and haulers who want to take advantage of the relaxed rules should check with the Montana Department of Transportation for specific guidance on which regulations are waived and what documentation is required.