To amend section 1327.70 of the Revised Code to authorize a county to implement a motor fuel quality testing program.
Summary
SB80 would amend Ohio law to allow county auditors to create and run local motor fuel quality testing programs if the state Department of Agriculture has not already established, funded, and implemented a uniform statewide program. Under a county program, a fuel inspector designated by the county auditor could test retail motor fuel for octane, water, and sediment, and would be required to use ASTM-compliant equipment and follow any agriculture department standards for sampling and testing. The bill also defines the fuels covered, including conventional gasoline and diesel, biodiesel and blended biodiesel, and ethanol extended fuel.
The bill sets out the duties of retail dealers when inspected, including allowing testing at pumps and storage tanks and providing free fuel samples in containers supplied by the inspector. If a violation is found, the inspector must order the dealer to stop selling fuel until the fuel is brought into compliance, and civil penalties may be imposed if the agriculture director adopts rules authorizing them. The bill also requires test data to be reported to the Department of Agriculture, which must compile and publish the information on its website. Counties that already had lawful fuel-testing programs before the bill’s effective date would be allowed to continue operating under their existing systems.
SB80 would affect Ohio’s Revised Code section 1327.70 by expanding county authority and creating a framework for local fuel-quality enforcement in the absence of a statewide program. It would also give the Department of Agriculture rulemaking authority over testing standards and civil penalties, while requiring public reporting of inspection results. Retail fuel dealers in participating counties would be subject to inspection access requirements, stop-sale orders, and possible penalties for noncompliant fuel.
Because no committee transcript or vote record was provided, there is no direct evidence of debate or formal support/opposition in the available materials. Based on the bill text, the measure appears to be a regulatory and consumer-protection proposal aimed at ensuring fuel quality and standardizing testing practices, while preserving county flexibility. The main potential point of contention is the balance between local enforcement authority and statewide uniformity, along with the compliance burden on retail fuel dealers and the possibility of civil penalties.
Impact
SB80 would modify Ohio Revised Code section 1327.70 to authorize county-level motor fuel quality testing programs when the state has not established a uniform statewide program. It would create new duties for county auditors, fuel inspectors, retail dealers, and the Department of Agriculture, and would allow stop-sale orders and potential civil penalties for fuel quality violations. It also preserves preexisting county programs and requires public reporting of inspection data.
Sentiment
No committee discussion or vote history was provided, so the record does not show formal support or opposition. On its face, the bill appears to be framed as a consumer-protection and enforcement measure, with a practical focus on fuel quality and local oversight. The absence of recorded debate makes it difficult to identify any organized sentiment beyond the bill’s apparent regulatory intent.
Contention
The main likely point of contention is whether fuel quality testing should be handled through a uniform statewide program or left to counties when the state does not act. Another possible concern is the regulatory burden on retail dealers, who must allow inspections, provide samples, and potentially stop selling fuel if violations are found. Counties may also differ on whether they have the resources and equipment needed to operate such a program, and the bill gives the Department of Agriculture significant discretion over standards and penalties.
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