OH HB499

Authorizes county auditors to implement motor fuel quality testing programs to test gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, and ethanol-extended fuel for octane level, sediment, and water content without charging inspection or registration fees.

Requires county auditors to acquire or ensure testing equipment meets American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) international standards and permits counties to contract with other counties for shared use of equipment.

Establishes compliance standards including fuel storage tanks not exceeding one-quarter inch of water for ethanol fuel and two inches for conventional fuel, octane levels within one point of pump labels, and visual clarity standards.

Authorizes fuel inspectors to issue orders to stop fuel sales for first violations and written citations, with retailers required to correct violations within seven days; allows civil penalties to be imposed and collected by counties.

Requires fuel inspectors to transmit testing data to the director of agriculture, who must compile and publish results publicly; exempts counties with existing programs from new requirements.