The sheriff of Clark County is refusing to enforce a new state law that deals with tractor weight limits on state, county and local roads because he argues it’s unconstitutional.
In a press release, Sheriff Greg Herrick said the new law, Act 377, is “unconstitutional because of the excessive dollar amounts being assessed.” Herrick said the law’s limits on weight per axle make it illegal to drive ordinary farm tractors without a special permit.
“I had a farmer who came to me two weeks ago,” said Herrick. “He had a citation for just driving his farm tractor (for) $5,800. And my response to that is, ‘this is ridiculous.’”
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The Clark County sheriff wants lawmakers to change the weight limits, and cut the fines.
“If I went to Madison and talked to all the lawmakers that made this law, and I started issuing citations for $5,800, are they going to look at me and say, ‘Oh is that all the fine is?, Thank you?’” he said.
Herrick said without a special permit, some farmers can’t reach their fields for spring planting.
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