New State Legislation Regarding Road Commission Weigh Masters Takes Effect in 2013

Effective on March 28, 2013, 2012 PA 529 amends the Motor Vehicle Code to state that an authorized agent of a county road commission (e.g. a weigh master) may act as a police officer, without being certified as a police officer under the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards Act, while enforcing the following sections of the Code:

• MCL 257.215 [Operation without registration or title].
• MCL 257.255 [Registration plates].
• MCL 257.631(1) [Operation on bridge, causeway or viaduct in excess of posted speed or load]. Please note, the road commission agent may not act as a police officer in order to enforce this section for speeding violations committed by a non-commercial vehicle operator.
• MCL 257.717 [Maximum width of vehicles].
• MCL 257.719 [Height, length, combinations, connecting assemblies, lighting devices, and weight violations].
• MCL 257.719a [Towing of mobile home violations].
• MCL 257.720 [Loading of vehicle violations].
• MCL 257.722 [Wheel and axle load violations].
• MCL 257.724 [Stopping of vehicles for weighing].
• MCL 257.725 [Special permits for non-conforming vehicles].
• MCL 257.726. [Restrictions as to certain commercial vehicles on posted highways by local authorities].

If an authorized agent of a county road commission carries a firearm while enforcing these sections, then he or she must be certified as a police officer under the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards Act, MCL 28.601 et seq. An authorized road commission agent must wear a shoulder patch that is clearly visible and identifies the branch of government which the agent represents.

The law as amended will be located in Michigan’s Compiled Laws at MCL 257.726c.

This summary was prepared by Karl Butterer, who specializes in Road Commission law. If you have any questions about this summary, feel free to contact Karl directly at 616-726.2212.