Certificate for emergency transportation services

(1) If any condition or emergency arises requiring relief in cases of general epidemic, pestilence or other calamitous visitation in the state or any community therein, wherein the public or community interest or the transportation of any persons or household goods requires, in the opinion of the Department of Transportation, the issuance of a certificate for emergency transportation services, the department may issue a certificate for emergency transportation services, the term of which shall be limited to a reasonable time to be determined by the department under the circumstances. (2) The department may issue a certificate for emergency transportation services donated for the benefit of a charitable organization, if the services are transportation of persons or household goods and the services are not of a type ordinarily required in the operation of the organization. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a certificate issued pursuant to this subsection shall be issued without charge to the applicant. As used in this subsection “charitable organization” means any person organized and existing for religious or medical purposes or any political subdivision of this state. (3) The emergency authority issued under this section does not convey any right to permanent authority and is not evidence of a need for permanent authority.