(a) The superintendent of the Kansas highway patrol shall determine such number of permanent motor carrier inspection stations throughout the state as the superintendent deems necessary to enforce the laws of this state relating to: The size, weight and load of motor vehicles and trailers; registration and insurance laws and requirements of the Kansas corporation commission; motor fuel use tax laws, liquid fuel carriers tax laws and motor vehicle registration laws applicable to vehicles; and livestock inspection laws. The operation of all such motor carrier inspection stations shall be under the authority and control of the superintendent of the Kansas highway patrol. The secretary of transportation shall have the authority to acquire, by purchase or condemnation, additional land for motor carrier inspection stations and to construct such inspection stations as deemed necessary by the superintendent as herein provided, within limitations on appropriations therefor.

(b) The operation of the facilities of all motor carrier inspection stations in existence on July 1, 1988, whether or not in operation on such date, shall be under the authority and control of the superintendent of the Kansas highway patrol and, after July 1, 1988, the superintendent may close certain motor carrier inspection stations in conjunction with and for the purposes of consolidation of all the functions of all of the closed stations at single locations for the combined performance of all such functions at such locations.