Governor Perdue Issues Executive Order to Assist Georgia Livestock Owners

Order will waive fees for the transportation of livestock feed

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue issued an Executive Order lifting certain restrictions for commercial trucks and other types of motor vehicles transporting food to livestock.  The severe drought in Georgia has resulted in an inability to produce home-grown crops sufficient to sustain Georgia livestock.

"The severe drought has put Georgia's livestock at risk," said Governor Sonny Perdue.  "The Executive Order issued today will help this key component of our state remain healthy and get us through this challenging time."

According to the Executive Order, beginning June 4, 2007 Georgia is temporarily waiving its IFTA and IRP registration requirements and related fees for vehicles traveling into Georgia to transport livestock feed.  Anyone participating in the relief effort must obtain a trip permit from the weigh station upon entering Georgia to display as they travel through the state.

A copy of the Executive Order is below.

Whereas:    On May 2, 2007, a State of Emergency was declared in Atkinson, Bacon, Berrien, Brantley, Bryan, Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Echols, Effingham, Glynn, Lanier, Liberty, Long, Lowndes, McIntosh, Pierce, Ware, and Wayne counties due to the existing extreme drought and unique forest fuel conditions.

Whereas:      The impact of prolonged severe drought conditions across Georgia has resulted in the inability to produce crops sufficient to sustain livestock, resulting in the need to transport hay into Georgia from other states to feed area livestock; and

Whereas:    Specific authorization to lift certain restrictions for commercial truck tractor semi-trailer and other types of motor vehicles is warranted.

Now, therefore, pursuant to the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Georgia, it is hereby

Ordered:    Beginning June 5, 2007, the State of Georgia hereby temporarily waives IFTA and IRP registration requirements and the related fees for vehicles traveling into Georgia en route to participate in the direct contribution of food source relief for Georgia livestock due to the drought conditions in Georgia pursuant to the parameters set forth below:

Beginning on June 8, 2007, anyone participating in the relief effort must obtain a trip permit from the weigh station upon entering the state to display as they travel in Georgia.

Fees associated with such permits shall be temporarily waived.

The Georgia Department of Revenue shall provide a copy of this Order to the Motor Carrier Compliance Division of the Department of Public Safety and weigh stations in Georgia and that a copy of this order shall be maintained on file in such locations beginning June 5, 2007.

This order shall remain in effect for 30 days or until such time as amended by Order of the Governor.

This 5th day of June, 2007.