Nebraska Eases HOS, Adds 10% Weight Tolerance for Fuel Haulers
Governor Jim Pillen signed Executive Order 26-25 on Oct. 19 to address fuel shortages reported by customers and retailers across Nebraska. The governor's office said haulers have had to travel farther to secure supplies and make deliveries, driven by global supply disruptions and a short, busy harvest season.
The order builds on a federal hours-of-service waiver FMCSA issued Sept. 16 for interstate fuel truck drivers. Nebraska's order takes similar hours-of-service action for haulers but goes further, allowing fuel vehicles to exceed weight limits by up to 10%. The order is effective through Nov. 18.
This order is separate from two other executive orders Pillen issued last month to help farmers facing high diesel costs. One raised load capacity for trucks hauling seasonal products and livestock; the other authorized red dye diesel use and a state tax refund for clear diesel in agricultural operations. Both of those orders run through Dec. 23.
The announcement did not specify exact HOS provisions, qualifying vehicle types, or enforcement details beyond the weight tolerance and expiration date.
What's next
- 2026-11-18: Executive Order 26-25 expires unless extended or replaced.
- 2026-12-23: Separate farmer diesel-relief orders expire.
All sources
- Executive Order 26-25: Fuel supply relief for intrastate fuel haulers (hours-of-service and weight) — Government site: Office of the Governor of Nebraska, 2026-10-19
