A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to allow the governor to temporarily suspend routine weight inspections of trucks upon the existence of an imminent threat of widespread or severe damage to crops that are ready to be harvested.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 166A‑19.70 reads as rewritten:
"§ 166A‑19.70.  Ensuring availability of emergency supplies and utility services; protection of Agricultural crops.
…
(g)	Upon the recommendation of the Commissioner of Agriculture, it shall be lawful for the Governor by an executive order issued pursuant to G.S. 166A‑19.20, or independent of such an order, to have the Department of Public Safety temporarily suspend weighing of vehicles pursuant to G.S. 20‑118.1, those vehicles used to transport crops from an emergency area as defined in G.S. 166A‑19.20(b), if there exists an imminent threat of widespread or severe damage to crops that are ready to be harvested. This section shall not be construed to permit the gross weight of any vehicle or combination in excess of the safe load carrying capacity established by the Department of Transportation on any bridge pursuant to G.S. 136‑72. This suspension shall end when the Governor determines that the threat of widespread or severe damage has passed."
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.