Summary: SB 1171 - Motor Fuels Quality Act Amendments

• Updates ASTM standards for gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, ethanol blends, and hydrogen fuel to current 2021-2024 specifications, replacing references to outdated "American Society for Testing and Materials" with "ASTM International."

• Establishes eight uniform gasoline grades (Regular 87.0 AKI through Premium 94.0 AKI) with minimum Motor Octane Number requirements; allows special grades to be registered with the department with complete test results.

• Requires retailers to post notices on fuel dispensers indicating grade, additives (including methanol concentration), compliance with Michigan standards, and a consumer complaint hotline (1-800-MDA-FUEL), with specific typeface and placement requirements.

• Reduces allowable water/water-alcohol accumulation in storage tanks from 2 inches to 1/2 inch and requires fuel-water removing filters of 10 microns or less on alcohol fuel blend dispensers.

• Increases fines for violations (first violation $100-$500, second $500-$1,000, third $1,000-$2,000) plus investigation costs and economic benefit recovery; doubles fines for fuels containing water, sediment, or below-minimum AKI ratings.