PROCLAMATION OF DISASTER EMERGENCY
WHEREAS, the 2026 grain harvest has begun across Iowa; and
WHEREAS, concerns over a timely harvest have resulted in large amounts of agricultural truck traffic throughout the state and has hastened the need for efficient and effective collection of the harvest; and
WHEREAS, strict compliance with the registration, permit and fee requirements of Iowa Code, including, but not limited to, Sections 321.463, 321.466(4), 321.E.2 and 321E.14(1)(j) and Iowa Administrative Code chapter 761-511 regarding overweight divisible loads under certain circumstances will prevent or hinder efforts to cope with time-sensitive harvest activities in all counties of our state.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, KIMBERLY K. REYNOLDS, Governor of the State of Iowa, by the power and authority vested in me by Article IV, Sections 1 and 8 of the Iowa Constitution and Section 29C.6(1) of the Iowa Code, and all other applicable laws, do hereby proclaim a STATE OF DISASTER EMERGENCY continues for the entire state of Iowa and do hereby ORDER and DIRECT the following:
SECTION 1. Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code Sections 321.463(6), 321.466(4) 321E.2 and §321E.14(1)(j) and Iowa Admin. Code chapter 761-511, to the extent that those provisions restrict the movement of overweight loads of soybeans, corn, hay, straw, silage, stover, fertilizer (dry, liquid, and gas), manure (dry and liquid), and distillers grains and require a permit to transport such loads.
SECTION 2. Suspension of these provisions applies to loads transported on all highways within Iowa, excluding the interstate system, and those which do not exceed a maximum of 90,000 pounds gross weight, do not exceed the maximum axle weight limit determined under the primary and non-primary highway maximum gross weight table in Iowa Code § 321.463 (6) (a)- (b), respectively, by more than twelve and one-half percent (12.5%), do not exceed the legal maximum axle weight limit of 20,000 pounds, and comply with posted limits on roads and bridges.
SECTION 3. This action is intended to allow vehicles transporting soybeans, corn, hay, straw, silage, stover, fertilizer (dry, liquid, and gas), manure (dry and liquid), and distillers grains to be overweight, not exceeding 90,000 pounds gross weight, without a permit, but only for the duration of this proclamation.
SECTION 4. Nothing contained in this declaration shall be construed as an exemption from any other portion of the Iowa Code or Iowa Administrative Code not specifically identified in this proclamation.
SECTION 5. The Iowa Department of Public Safety is hereby directed to monitor the operation of this proclamation to assure the public's safety and facilitate the movement of trucks involved in our state's harvesting season.
SECTION 6. The provisions of this proclamation shall be effective immediately and continue for thirty days and shall expire on October 10, 2026, unless sooner terminated or extended in writing by me.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I HAVE HEREUNTO SUBSCRIBED MY NAME AND CAUSED THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF IOWA TO BE AFFIXED AT DES MOINES, IOWA THIS TENTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-SIX.
KIMBERLY K. REYNOLDS
GOVERNOR
ATTEST:
PAUL D. PATE
SECRETARY OF STATE