(1) Definitions. In this section:
(b) "Vehicle scale" means a commercial scale that is designed to weigh loaded or unloaded highway, farm or industrial vehicles, except that it does not include a scale that is operated exclusively by this state.
(2) License.
(a)
1. Except as provided in subd. 2. , a person may not operate a vehicle scale without a license from the department. A separate license is required for each scale. A license is not transferable between persons or scales. A license expires on March 31 annually. The department shall provide a license application form for persons applying for a license. The form may require information reasonably required by the department for licensing purposes. A license application shall be accompanied by applicable fees under pars. (b) and (c) .
2. Subdivision 1. does not apply to a person who operates a vehicle scale only as an employee of a person who is required to hold a license to operate the scale under this paragraph.
(b) The fee for a license under par. (a) is $60, except that the department may establish a different fee by rule.
(c) An applicant for a license under par. (a) shall pay a license fee surcharge of $200 in addition to the license fee if the department determines that within one year prior to submitting the license application the applicant operated a vehicle scale without a license as required by par. (a) . Payment of the license fee surcharge does not relieve the applicant of any other civil or criminal liability for the operation of a vehicle scale without a license but shall not constitute evidence of violation of a law.
(d) The department shall not issue or renew a license under par. (a) unless the applicant pays all fees required under pars. (b) and (c) as set forth in a statement issued by the department. The department shall refund a fee paid under protest if the department determines that the fee was not required to be paid under this section.
(3) Rules. The department may promulgate rules to establish license fees under sub. (2) (b) and to regulate the operation of vehicle scales. The rules may include all of the following:
(a) Standards for the construction and maintenance of vehicle scales.
(b) Requirements for testing and certification of vehicle scales.
(c) Requirements for record keeping and reporting related to the testing and certification of vehicle scales.