H.B. No. 549 Summary

• Amends Ohio Revised Code section 1327.70 to allow county auditors to voluntarily implement motor fuel quality testing programs in their counties, unless the state director of agriculture establishes and funds a statewide program.

• Authorizes fuel inspectors (county auditors or their designees) to test motor fuel for octane level, sediment, and water content at no charge to retail dealers.

• Establishes quality compliance standards including maximum water limits (0.25 inches for ethanol fuel, 2 inches for conventional fuel), octane accuracy within one point of pump label, and visual clarity requirements.

• Permits fuel inspectors to issue stop-sale orders for non-compliant fuel and impose civil penalties as established by the director of agriculture; all penalties collected must be deposited into the county general fund.

• Requires fuel inspectors to transmit test data to the director of agriculture, who must compile and publicly post results on the department website; exempts counties with existing programs prior to the effective date.