OK SB391

Motor carrier enforcement officers appointed by the Corporation Commission are declared peace officers with authority to enforce motor carrier regulations, commercial driver licensing laws (Sections 6-301 through 6-308), and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations in designated areas of the state.

Enforcement officers must take an oath of office and post a $25,000 bond before entering duty, and are prohibited from plea bargaining in motor carrier or motor transportation matters except by the chief legal counsel or their designee.

Officers are authorized to stop vehicles, inspect identification devices and shipping documentation, serve warrants and citations, and detain vehicles suspected of violating motor carrier laws or regulations, but have no power of search or seizure except as specifically authorized.

Violations of motor carrier regulations constitute misdemeanors punishable by fines up to $1,000, and violations of Corporation Commission orders constitute contempt with fines up to $500 per day deposited into the Corporation Commission Trucking One-Stop Shop Fund.

The bill becomes effective July 1, 2015, with an emergency clause allowing it to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.