Allow a county to implement a motor fuel quality testing program
Legislative Analysis Report Allow a county to implement a motor fuel quality testing program
1. Primary Purpose of the Bill
This bill allows county auditors to set up their own local programs to test the quality of motor fuel (such as gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, and ethanol blends) sold at retail gas stations. These local programs can only be created if the Ohio Department of Agriculture does not already have an active, funded statewide testing program. The goal is to protect consumers by ensuring fuel is not watered down, has the correct octane level, and is free of sediment.
Consumer ProtectionLocal GovernmentEnergy
2. Changes to Existing Law
ORC Sec. 1327.70 Amends the law to allow county auditors to run fuel quality testing programs. It defines different fuel types, sets testing standards for water and octane levels, requires gas stations to cooperate without being charged fees, and allows inspectors to shut down pumps that fail inspections.
3. Key Information for Citizens
🗳️ What You Need to Know
- County auditors can start local programs to test gas and diesel quality if there is no active state program.
- Gas stations must allow inspectors to test their pumps and storage tanks and must provide free fuel samples for testing.
- Inspectors cannot charge gas stations any fees for these inspections.
- If a station's fuel fails to meet quality standards (such as having too much water or the wrong octane level), the inspector can order them to stop selling that fuel.
- All test results, including locations and dates, will be published online for the public to see.
4. Entities Affected
- County auditors and local governments
- Gas stations and retail fuel dealers
- Everyday drivers and consumers
- Ohio Department of Agriculture
5. Regulatory Impact & Enforcement
Agency Authority: The Ohio Department of Agriculture is authorized to create rules for a statewide testing program and establish civil penalties for violations. County auditors are given the authority to run local testing programs, hire fuel inspectors, and issue stop-sale orders to non-compliant gas stations.
Penalties & Mandates: Gas stations must allow fuel inspectors to test their pumps and tanks and provide free fuel samples. If a station sells substandard fuel, inspectors can issue a stop-sale order. Violators may also face civil penalties (which would go to the county general fund) if the Ohio Department of Agriculture creates rules for them.
Implementation Timeline: Not applicable
6. Estimated Fiscal Impact
State Revenue Impact
Not applicable
Local Government Impact
Counties that choose to start a testing program will face costs to buy or share ASTM-compliant testing equipment. However, they may collect civil penalties from violating gas stations to help fund their general fund, if the state sets up penalty rules.
Implementation Costs
Not specified
Net Annual Fiscal Effect
Not specified
Policy doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Meet the representatives and senators who introduced this bill and are pushing it through the chamber. Click on any sponsor to see their district, party affiliation, and what other legislation they’ve championed this session.
Primary Sponsors
Willis E. Blackshear, Jr.
District
6
Chamber
Senate
Party
Democrat
Catherine D. Ingram
District
9
Chamber
Senate
Party
Democrat
Co-Sponsors
Related Topics
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Taxation & Finance
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Transportation
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Environment
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Business & Commerce
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Local Government
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Status Changes
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Referred to committee
Feb 12 2025
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Documents
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