BREAKING: Clark County Sheriff Will Not Enforce Some Provisions of Implements of Husbandry Law
Friday, May 1st, 2015 -- 9:45 AM
(Clark County Sheriff's Department Press Release) -Clark County Sheriff Greg Herrick reminds all farmers and agri-business operators that the new IOH law took effect in January 2015.As a result, farmers and agri-business operators face excessive fines and forfeitures for tractors and implements of husbandry that are now considered overweight and illegal on Wisconsin state, county, and local roads, unless a permit is obtained from the local maintaining authority. Sheriff Herrick considers these weight limits unrealistic and unattainable and, consequently, unconstitutional and unenforceable.
Recently, Sheriff Herrick became aware that several farmers in surrounding counties were targeted, in his opinion, by the Wisconsin State Patrol Weight Enforcement and other county sheriff's offices. Those farmers received citations with potential fines and forfeitures (some fines ranging from $5,000 to $8,000 for doing nothing more than driving down the road with just a tractor, not pulling or hauling anything) that Sheriff Herrick characterizes as unconstitutional due to the excessive dollar amounts being assessed. Based on available information, the local maintaining authorities denied these farmers the appropriate permits to travel on the roads with their tractors and implements of husbandry, despite the necessity that those farmers reach their fields for spring field work and planting.
Sheriff Herrick believes that significant portions of Act 377 are unconstitutional and, therefore, unenforceable. Those provisions will not be enforced within Clark County by the Clark County Sheriff's Office.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.