Authorizes self-service gas stations to allow for hands-free gas dispensing by installing hold open clips on gasoline and diesel fuel dispensing nozzles.
Summary
A08771 would amend the General Business Law to allow self-service gas stations in New York to equip gasoline and diesel fuel nozzles with hold-open clips, enabling hands-free fuel dispensing. The bill applies to retail motor fuel facilities that offer self-service and expressly overrides any conflicting law, rule, or regulation to the contrary.
The bill sets conditions for use of hands-free nozzles. The equipment must meet applicable safety standards, and stations must post a conspicuous sign requiring any non-attendant user to remain within ten feet and in plain sight of the refueling point during fueling. The bill also requires station operators to ensure attendant employees are familiar with the location and operation of emergency fuel shut-off switches. It defines a hold-open clip as a lever in the pump handle that allows pumping without continuously holding the handle.
Impact
This bill would change state law governing retail motor fuel dispensing by creating an explicit exception for hands-free operation at self-service stations. It would affect gas station owners and operators, attendants, and customers by permitting a practice that is currently restricted or regulated under existing law, while preserving safety-related requirements and emergency shut-off readiness. The act would take effect immediately upon enactment.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong support for the bill, with a unanimous 16-0 favorable committee vote and a 138-0 final passage in the Assembly. That voting pattern suggests broad agreement that the measure is a practical modernization of gas station operations, with little recorded opposition in the available materials.
Contention
The main policy issue is balancing convenience with safety. Support appears to center on allowing customers to refuel without continuously holding the nozzle, while the bill’s safeguards address concerns about unattended fueling, fire risk, and emergency response. Any contention would likely focus on whether hands-free dispensing increases the risk of accidents or misuse, versus whether the required signage, proximity rule, and safety standards are sufficient to mitigate those risks; however, no recorded transcript debate is available here.
Same As
Authorizes self-service gas stations to allow for hands-free gas dispensing by installing hold open clips on gasoline and diesel fuel dispensing nozzles.
Authorizes self-service gas stations to allow for hands-free gas dispensing by installing hold open clips on gasoline and diesel fuel dispensing nozzles.
Requires applications for retail gas station building permits to include one electric vehicle charging station using direct current fast chargers at such gasoline station per four gas dispensing pumps.
Requires applications for retail gas station building permits to include one electric vehicle charging station using direct current fast chargers at such gasoline station per four gas dispensing pumps.
A bill for an act relating to reporting total gasoline and diesel fuel gallonage sold and dispensed by retail dealers for a determination period.(See SF 2393.)
A bill for an act relating to reporting total gasoline and diesel fuel gallonage sold and dispensed by retail dealers for a determination period.(See HF 2643.)
A bill for an act relating to reporting total gasoline and diesel fuel gallonage sold and dispensed by retail dealers for a determination period.(Formerly SSB 3117.)