State senators took the first steps on Wednesday toward putting county sheriffs between residents and the federal government. Under legislation approved by the Public Safety Committee, any federal agency doing business in any county would first need to register with the local sheriff, and to inspect a home, business or any records would first need to present the sheriff with a court-approved warrant.
Sen. Chester Crandell, who wrote the legislation, said failure to follow the procedure would permit business and individuals to turn the federal workers away. Crandall’s frustration is largely with the Mine Safety and Health Administration.
“They show up at the gate. You have to let them in. If you don't let them in you get fined," said Crandell. "And they go and do whatever they want to while they're on the premise trying to find a penalty, and then they levy fines.”
But, Crandell said the measure is broader, even allowing people to ignore an Internal Revenue Service audit without a sheriff-approved warrant. He does concede there are implications, like fines and the risk of being shut down, for ignoring the IRS, and foresees a likely court fight with the federal government.