§7.  Authority to operate joint weight enforcement scales with contiguous states; joint enforcement of laws

A.  The agency of the state which exercises authority over the state's stationary weight enforcement scale facilities may enter into interstate agreements with contiguous states through appropriate officials, departments, or agencies to jointly provide for the location, construction, staffing, and operation of scale facilities for the purpose of weighing vehicles and enforcement of the laws, rules, and regulations of this state and the laws, rules, and regulations of the contiguous state, its appropriate agencies, or departments.

B.  The interstate agreement may authorize employees of either state to weigh vehicles under the jurisdiction of either state, issue permits, collect fees, taxes, interests, and penalties imposed by the laws, rules, or regulations of either state, its agencies, or departments, and enforce the laws, rules, and regulations of either state.

C.(1)  As part of an interstate agreement, the agency of this state may appoint employees of a contiguous state as duly authorized and empowered enforcement officers of that agency for the enforcement of tax, weight, size and load, equipment, safety, and all other state laws, rules, and regulations relating to vehicles entering into, exiting, or traveling upon the highways of this state and may allow employees of this state to accept similar positions or appointments with any contiguous state or appropriate agency or department of such state and to enforce the laws, rules, and regulations of such state, its agencies, and departments.

(2)  Any employee of a contiguous state which enters into an interstate agreement pursuant to this Section shall not be considered an employee of this state, and as such, shall not be compensated by this state or entitled to any employment benefits either directly or indirectly from this state.  Neither this state nor its officers, agents, or employees shall be subject to civil or criminal liability for the actions or inactions of such persons.

(3)  Employees of this state who accept appointments from a contiguous state shall not be considered an employee of that state,  compensated by that state, or entitled to any employment rights from that state.

D.  The agency of this state shall promulgate all rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this Section in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

E.  For purposes of this Section, "agency of this state" shall mean either the Department of Transportation and Development or the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, based upon the authority granted to that department by this Chapter.

F.  Any interstate agreement entered into pursuant to this Section shall be subject to oversight by the Joint Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.

Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 37, §1, eff. April 24, 1998.