(DES MOINES) – Governor Chet Culver has issued four extension proclamations to help Iowans affected by flooding and severe weather as they continue with the clean-up efforts and the rebuilding process. “We have a long fight ahead of us in the recovery process from this severe weather and flooding, and as Governor, I am going to continue taking the necessary actions to assure Iowans have what they need to rebuild their lives,” said Governor Culver. “The extensions of these proclamations will give Iowans more time and assistance in this long process.”

The Governor’s proclamations extend the previous dates to July 23, 2008.

Disaster Emergency County Proclamations Extension

Governor Culver has signed an extension proclamation extending the declaration of disaster emergency in 84 counties issued from May 25, 2008 to June 13, 2008. The new proclamation will extend the period for flood victims to receive disaster assistance on public and private property.

The list of counties included in the extension are : Blackhawk, Buchanan, Butler, Delaware, Dubuque, Fremont, Marion, Johnson, Humboldt, Montgomery, Page, Union, Worth,

Adams, Benton, Boone, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Clarke, Crawford, Dallas, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Hardin, Harrison, Jasper, Marshall, Polk, Story, Tama, Webster, Winneshiek,

Allamakee, Bremer, Clayton, Hamilton, Iowa, Kossuth, Linn, Mitchell, Scott, Van Buren, Wright, Carroll, Jones, Ringgold, Taylor, Warren, Cedar, Hancock, Howard, Monona,

Muscatine, Wapello, Adair, Appanoose, Audubon, Cass, Clinton, Davis, Decatur, Des Moines, Greene, Grundy, Guthrie, Henry, Jackson, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lee, Louisa, Lucas,

Madison, Mahaska, Mills, Monroe, Pottawattamie, Poweshiek, Shelby, Washington, Wayne, Winnebago, Lyon counties.

Banking Statute Waiver Extension

This extension proclamation extends the length of the original proclamation issued on May 25, 2008, allowing state-chartered banks that have closed offices or principal places of business due to flooding and severe weather to operate out of a temporary location without receiving prior approval of the superintendent of banking. State-chartered banks operating out of the temporary locations shall notify the superintendent of banking of their temporary locations and when they return to their usual locations.

DOT Statewide Transportation Waiver Extension

This proclamation suspends the regulatory provisions to the Iowa Code regarding the hours of service for flood repair crews and drivers while responding to disaster sites. It also makes provisions on loads related to flood repairs in areas affected by the disaster and transported on all highways within Iowa, excluding the interstate system. This proclamation also extends the suspension of the requirements needed for operating authority registration, fuel tax reporting, medical cards, and the minimum age for a commercial driver for Iowa-based flood repair crew drivers responding to disaster sites.

The Iowa Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Agribusiness Association of Iowa, has also extended the spring “seasonal period” for drivers operating commercial motor vehicles under the provisions that waive standard commercial driver license (CDL) testing. Under this extension, the restricted seasonal licenses will be valid through July 30, 2008.

Electrical Repair Waiver Extension

This proclamation extends the provisions to the Iowa Code pertaining to the hours of service, loads, medical cards, and fuel tax reporting for electrical repair crews and drivers while responding to disaster sites.