Bill would allow state and municipal employees to operate heavy vehicles without a CDL during governor-declared emergencies

Legislative Council staff explained a proposed emergency exemption in section 19 that would allow state and local government employees to operate certain heavy vehicles without a commercial driver's license during an emergency declared by the governor. "During a weather related emergency declared by the governor, an employee of a state agency or a Vermont municipality may operate a commercial motor vehicle with a weight of 26,001 pounds or more without being required to hold a commercial driver's license while the emergency or emergency condition is ongoing," Leonard read from the draft (which was drawn in part from 49 CFR 383.3(d)(2) and New York law).

Senators debated whether to limit the exemption to weather-related emergencies; several members argued in favor of broader language so fires, earthquakes or other non-weather incidents would also be covered. Leonard noted firefighters and the National Guard already have existing statutory exemptions and said this draft would extend a tailored, governor-declared exemption to other public employees while aligning with federal rules to reduce ambiguity and avoid FMCSA citations that could jeopardize federal funding.

Committee members asked about scope and legal alignment; Leonard said he would replace the "weather related" language with a broader definition tied to "an emergency declared by the governor" and include a definition of emergency that references imminent or ongoing risk to public health, safety, infrastructure or property. He said the change will appear in the next clean draft.