Fight For Control of Oklahoma's Border Inspections

A battle over control and cash at the capitol could encompass the new weigh stations, or ports of entry, at the state’s borders.  A proposal that started in the senate would strip control of the stations from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission and put it in the hands of the Department of Public Safety. 

The bill’s author, Senator Mark Allen (R-Spiro), says DPS would be a better fit to manage the weigh stations.  “It will be a better to have someone that can enforce the laws of the state of Oklahoma instead of write tickets for revenue.”

Senator Allen says only DPS can inspect trucks and calls his plan an effort to ‘streamline’ government by reducing redundant weighing of trucks by DPS and the OCC.

“I think there is a real argument for leaving the weigh stations with the current regulatory body, just funding them in a way so they can be built out and utilized,” said Fox 25 Political Analyst Bobby Stem

The weigh station bill would also mean transferring a large amount of money to one agency or another.  Neither DPS nor the OCC have the funds to operate weigh stations 24 hours every day.   However, the agency that controls the weigh stations also received the fees and fines collected from truckers. 

“With that responsibility comes additional funds, every state responsibility we have comes with a price tag,” Stem said, “And it could be DPS’ desire to take on that responsibility and the appropriations that go along with it.”

The bill to transfer power of the weigh stations stalled in one senate committee, but capitol sources say the idea is far from dead and it could be added to any number of bills that come through the house or senate until both chambers adjourn for the session. 

Posted: Saturday, March 30 2013, 05:37 PM CDT