Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026:
Dyed diesel, weight limit relief granted for Nebraska ag haulers
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen on Sept. 24 signed two executive orders providing regulatory relief to agricultural haulers in the state. Both orders are in effect for 90 days.
Pillen also sent a letter to President Donald Trump requesting federal intervention through a temporary 90-day pause on U.S. diesel exports to foreign countries, which Pillen said would allow domestic diesel reserves to rebuild, lowering costs for consumers and helping producers navigate harvest season without severe financial strain.
The President publicly suggested such an export pause last week, yet later cast some doubt on whether the administration would take that route to potentially boost diesel inventories and put downward pressure on prices, according to recent reporting.
Under Nebraska Gov. Pillen's first executive order, highway-registered vehicles are permitted to hold, sell, or use untaxed, dyed diesel fuel without facing state fines or penalties. Additionally, diesel taxes paid while transporting Nebraska seasonally produced products and livestock on state roads are eligible for a refund by filing Form 84AG with the Nebraska Department of Revenue.
To address transportation pressures facing producers, Pillen also signed a second executive order providing weight limit relief for seasonal crop transport. Vehicles transporting seasonally produced products and livestock can operate up to 25% over legal gross and axle group weight limits without purchasing additional permits or paying associated fees.
“Our farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our state,” said Pillen. “It’s critical that I do everything in my power to make sure they are supported, especially during this season where they are working day in and day out to get the crops out of the ground.”
[Related: Alabama suspends dyed diesel fuel checks as pump prices soar]
Montana adopts federal HOS fuel-haulers waiver for intrastate drivers
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte has issued an executive order adopting federal regulations issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to waive certain hours-of-service requirements for truck drivers transporting gasoline and diesel fuel.
Under the executive order, the Montana Department of Transportation’s Motor Carrier Services Division will apply the same HOS terms to intrastate gasoline and diesel haulers that FMCSA already applies to interstate carriers. The order does not apply to any other type of cargo and leaves all other state and federal safety requirements in place.
The order takes effect immediately and remains in effect through Dec. 16, matching the duration of the federal waiver, unless extended, rescinded, or otherwise modified.
“Montana families, farmers, and businesses depend on a steady, reliable supply of gasoline and diesel,” Gianforte said. “This order makes sure our in-state fuel haulers can operate under the same rules as interstate drivers, so fuel keeps moving without unnecessary red tape.”
FMCSA issued a waiver on Sept. 16 to give interstate truck drivers additional flexibility under federal HOS rules in response to anticipated fuel demand increases and ongoing global supply chain pressures. The federal waiver specifically invited states to extend the same relief to drivers operating within their borders.
[Related: FMCSA eases hours-of-service for gas, diesel haulers]
Five military veterans named ‘Transition Trucking’ finalists
Finalists for the 11th annual “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” award were recently announced by Kenworth Truck Company, Fastport, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Hiring Our Heroes program.
The award celebrates military veterans who have successfully transitioned into professional truck driving careers. Following a thorough nomination and review process and culminating with a final public vote, the program will honor and reward America's top rookie military veteran drivers.
In Ohio last week, 11 semi-finalists — the “Elite 11” — were distinguished guests at a recognition dinner held at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus. The following day, the Kenworth truck manufacturing plant in Chillicothe hosted the event where finalists were announced, along with an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Kenworth's flagship manufacturing facility.
This year's class is the most senior in the program's history, with six of the eleven semi-finalists leaving service at E-7 or above, including two Sergeants Major.
The 2026 Transition Trucking finalists, in alphabetical order:
- Mohammad Arzola, U.S. Marine Corps (E-9), Patriot Group International — Arzola enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1997 and served 27 years as a machine gunner, drill instructor and senior enlisted leader, with assignments including 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Raider Battalion, and multiple aviation commands as squadron sergeant major. He deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, earning the Purple Heart and the Combat Action Ribbon. A San Antonio native, Arzola graduated from California Career Schools and logged more than 100,000 safe miles to earn the Spirit of HEB Award before driving for Patriot Group International.
- Monica Brooks-Buck, U.S. Army (E-7), Werner Enterprises — Brooks-Buck is a retired U.S. Army veteran with nearly 25 years of service, including more than 20 years in logistics as a 92Y supply specialist and an Army Master Driver. She graduated from the Truck Driver Institute in Saucier, Mississippi, and joined Werner in September 2025, where she is a registered apprentice in the Werner Enterprises Truck Driver Apprenticeship. Brooks-Buck drives as part of a team with her husband while pursuing studies in information technology. She belongs to the Women In Trucking Association and Disabled American Veterans.
- Daniel Doss, U.S. Air Force (E-5), Melton Truck Lines — Staff Sergeant Doss was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 2015, serving 10 years as a fuels specialist. He supported humanitarian relief operations following Hurricane Michael, served on the Base Honor Guard rendering final military honors to veterans, and led fuel operations and maintenance teams stateside and on deployment to the United Arab Emirates. He graduated from Troops Into Transportation at Fort Benning and joined Melton in September 2025, where he drives flatbed as a registered apprentice. He and his wife have three children.
- Brandon Ward, U.S. Navy (E-8), Werner Enterprises — Senior Chief Petty Officer Ward retired twice before he ever climbed into a Class 8 truck. He served more than 22 years in the U.S. Navy as a Master-at-Arms and Expeditionary Warfare Specialist, then built a senior career with the Department of Homeland Security, where he served as a hiring official and sat on recruitment teams that brought transitioning service members into the federal workforce. He graduated from Roadmaster Drivers School in Orlando in September 2025 and joined Werner later that month as a registered apprentice. A husband and father, he continues to mentor veterans through their own transitions.
- Gary W. Williams, U.S. Army (E-9), Stevens Transport — Command Sergeant Major Williams served 31 years in the U.S. Army as a leader, a medic and a mentor, retiring as a Chief Medical NCO. He graduated from Southern Careers Institute in January 2026 and joined Stevens Transport weeks later, where he has built a stellar safety record and taken to the autonomy and accountability the job demands. Soldiers he once led still call him for advice, and he makes himself available to them. He supports the Travis Manion Foundation, turning out for its walks, marches and hikes.
As part of the program, Kenworth will provide the grand prize for the 11th consecutive year. This year's award is a T680 equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and the Paccar Powertrain featuring the Paccar MX-13 engine, Paccar TX-12 automated transmission, and Paccar DX-40 tandem rear axles.
While the grand prize winner will drive away in a state-of-the-art Kenworth T680 truck, the program also ensures every finalist is recognized. The runner-up will receive a $10,000 award, and the remaining finalists will each receive a $5,000 prize. All five finalists and the overall winner will also receive prize packs from Road Dog Care Co., OOIDA and Truck Parking Club.
All five finalists will travel to the United States Military Academy at West Point in December as guests of the program, taking part in a slate of experiences built around the Veteran Ready Summit ahead of the winner announcement.
Public voting for the award will be held from Nov. 1 through Veterans Day, Nov. 11, and is an important factor in the Selection Committee's final deliberations. The final winner will be revealed on Dec. 15 at the Veteran Ready Summit.
