A. The Commission, or its appointees, including federal government employees or persons operating under contract with the state, upon presenting appropriate credentials may conduct inspections and remove samples of fuel to determine coloration of diesel fuel, or to identify shipping paper violations at any place where taxable fuel is or may be produced, stored or loaded into transport vehicles. Inspections shall be performed in a reasonable manner consistent with the circumstances, but in no event is prior notice required. Inspectors may physically inspect, examine or otherwise search any tank, reservoir, or other container that can or might be used for the production, storage, or transportation of fuel. Inspection may be made of any equipment used for, or in connection with, the production, storage, or transportation of fuel. Inspectors may demand to be produced for immediate inspection the shipping papers, documents and records required to be kept by a person transporting fuel. The places which may be inspected pursuant to this section may include, but are not limited to:
1. A terminal;
2. A fuel storage facility that is not a terminal;
3. A retail fuel facility;
4. Highway rest stops; or
5. A designated inspection site. For purposes of this section, a "designated inspection site" means any state highway or waterway inspection station, weigh station, agricultural inspection station, mobile station, or other location designated by the Commission either fixed or mobile.
B. Inspections to determine violations under this act may be conducted by the Department of Public Safety, agents of the Commission, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, motor carrier inspectors in this state in addition to their duties otherwise defined, and any other law enforcement officer through procedures established by the Commission. Agents of the Commission have the same power and authority provided to authorized personnel under the applicable statute.
C. Inspectors may reasonably detain any person or equipment transporting fuel in or through this state for the purpose of determining whether the person is operating in compliance with the provisions of this act and any rules promulgated pursuant to this act. Detainment may continue for such time only as is necessary to determine whether the person is in compliance.
Added by Laws 1996, c. 345, § 60, eff. Oct. 1, 1996.