Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced in a statement Monday two actions he has taken in order to address and tackle the ongoing supply chain crisis happening across the nation.
The first initiative the press release details includes “Operation Open Road,” a letter signed by Governor Lee and 14 other governors calling on the Biden Administration to address the supply chain crisis by suspending burdensome regulations. Calling the American supply chain a “crisis,” the governors pledged to take action at the state level to assist the trucking industry.
Joining Governor Lee are Governors Doug Ducey (AZ), Ron DeSantis (FL), Brian Kemp (GA), Brad Little (ID), Kim Reynolds (IA), Larry Hogan (MD), Mike Parson (MI), Greg Gianforte (MT), Pete Ricketts (NE), Doug Burgum (ND), Mike DeWine (OH), Kevin Stitt (OK), Henry McMaster (SC), and Greg Abbott (TX).
The second initiative Governor Lee has taken to address the supply chain crisis is signing an Executive Order that works to deregulate critical trucking functions in Tennessee, according to the statement. Lee signed the order while visiting trucking apprentices at TCAT Crossville.
While visiting trucking apprentices at TCAT Crossville, I signed EO93 to deregulate critical trucking functions across TN. pic.twitter.com/boaY9kWJTB
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) November 22, 2021
Executive Order 93, signed Monday by Lee “directs the Department of Safety and Homeland Security to identify deregulation opportunities affecting the trucking industry and commercial drivers in Tennessee; directions the Department of Safety and Homeland Security to collaborate with other entities, including the Department of Military, Department of Correction, Department of Labor, Tennessee Board of Regents, Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology and private businesses, to increase CDL training and certification opportunities; and encourages third-parties to expand the types of CDL applicants and licensees who can participate in training and testing programs.”
At the state level, governors in Operation Open Road states committed to:
– Modify weight, size, or load restrictions to allow more cargo to move more efficiently; adjust hours of service constraints to provide truck drivers more time and flexibility.
– Deregulate education and occupational licensure barriers to get more commercial truck drivers on the road.
– Convene state agencies in transportation, commerce, workforce, and other related fields to coordinate with private industry, local governments, and neighboring states to ensure greater efficiency, connectivity, and data sharing among shippers and receivers at ports, distribution points, storage facilities, and other intrastate corridors for the expedited loading, unloading, and transport of freight.
The coastal port states joining the Operation say they will increase tonnage capacity, and accept more Panamax ships waiting off the west coast.
See the full details of “Operation Open Road” here.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Bill Lee” by Office of the Governor.
