Latest news with #SenateBill80
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohio lawmakers introduce bill that would allow counties to test gas station fuel quality
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – If an Ohio bill is signed into law, local counties may begin testing the quality of motor fuel at gas stations. Senate Bill 80, sponsored by Sens. Catherine Ingram (D-Cincinnati) and Willis Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton), would enable county auditors to implement programs for testing the quality of motor fuel at gas stations. The legislation would permit inspectors to test for octane levels, as well as sediment and water in fuel. 'This bill represents an essential step toward protecting Ohio's consumers, promoting environmental sustainability, and ensuring the integrity of the motor fuels used by our residents every day,' Ingram said at an introductory hearing for the bill in February. While Ohio law already presents the opportunity for the state Director of Agriculture to establish a statewide motor fuel quality testing program, one has not yet been created. Ohio is one of only three states that does not have a statewide program for fuel quality testing, according to the lawmakers. In other states, inspections are typically conducted annually, while some opt to test whenever there are customer complaints. Currently, Ohio law does not allow for a quality testing program at the county level. County auditors have inspectors who visit gas stations to test for the quantity of fuel, but not quality. Low-quality fuel can lead to engine damage, reduced fuel efficiency and increased air pollution, Ingram said. Repairs needed after fueling with contaminated gas can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on the severity of the damage. 'When consumers are putting gas into their car, they want to be assured that the product they are putting into their vehicle is safe, and that they are not being 'sold short,'' Blackshear said at the February hearing. 'By allowing our county auditors to implement this program they can give local consumers an enhanced peace of mind knowing that the fuel they are using has been checked and is accurate.' The bill would require fuel inspectors to relay data collected from testing programs to the Director of Agriculture, who would then compile that information and make it accessible to the public online. It would also allow each county auditor to make their own decision on if implementing a program is feasible, Blackshear said. Multiple similar bills have been introduced in past general assemblies, but have not made it through a legislative session. The most recent was introduced by Ingram in May 2024, which did not progress to the point of receiving a hearing. Currently, only Summit County operates a motor fuel quality testing program in Ohio, as it is a charter county and has certain home rule powers most other counties do not. Cuyahoga is the only other charter county in Ohio. SB 80 was assigned to the Senate's Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, where it awaits proponent and opponent testimony. Sen. Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus) is cosponsoring the bill. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
How Gov. Ron DeSantis can spin signing the FL 'State Park Preservation Act'
With great fanfare and unanimous support, the Florida Legislature passed the State Park Preservation Act (Senate Bill 80) and sent it to the governor. Kudos to state Sen. Gayle Harrell, and state Reps. John Snyder and Peggy Gossett-Seidman for shepherding this popular bill through their respective chambers, heeding the overwhelming bipartisan call of the citizenry. Now, it is up to Gov. DeSantis to respond, and he has three choices. He can veto the measure and risk an embarrassing override. He can quietly let it slide into law after July 1. Or he can sign it. If he signs the measure, he must give it a proper spin, especially since he is not one to apologize or admit a mistake. Here are some choices for what that spin could look like. Put the blame on others: 'This is what I have always wanted! If it wasn't for the hare-brained plan set forth by the rogue Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and leaked by a couple of clueless bureaucrats, we wouldn't have come to this pivotal point in state park history. I applaud this vital piece of legislation, and I guarantee DEP will never veer off the rails again.' Provide a touch of bitterness and irony after a positive statement: 'The people have spoken, and I work for the people! If they want to deal with heat, ticks and mosquitoes in a crowded campground instead of a luxury hotel, then so be it. But don't expect me to be sympathetic when I start hearing complaints about the lack of accommodations in state parks.' Castigate the bill's supporters while touting yourself as a prophet: 'This bill was propped up by a bunch of bunny huggers who have no foothold in reality. Who wants to hike, kayak or fish when you can play golf or pickleball? Sooner or later, people will be begging to change this act to allow for these popular uses. I was just ahead of my time!' And finally, warn that state parks will be in financial trouble because of this bill while digging at a political opponent: 'I was just trying to make state parks financially secure. So now, without an enhanced revenue stream, state parks might be in real trouble, especially if [Florida] House Speaker Daniel Perez and his cronies get their way in passing their treacherous state budget plan.' Editorial: The futures of Florida's state parks are now more certain because of you Of course, the governor can simply be real with the people: 'I am signing this bill because I am humbled by the support I have seen for our state parks. More than ever before, people have embraced the state park mission of providing 'resource-based recreation while preserving, interpreting, and restoring natural and cultural resources.' From here on, my promise to you is to be a model steward of our state's natural beauty and environment, especially when it comes to Florida's award-winning state parks. And when you hear the words 'Great Outdoors Initiative,' it will be to enhance compatible outdoor recreation for the benefit of our health and tourism-driven economy.' It is not too late for the governor to step up and be the leader we all need. Doug Alderson, author of several award-winning books on Florida's outdoors and environment, recently retired from Florida Department of Environmental Protection where he coordinated the state's system of kayak and canoe trails. This op-ed is part of a campaign by the USA Today Network-Florida Opinion Group to support Senate Bill 80 and protect Florida's state parks from development. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: For DeSantis, the Florida state parks bill can be a win-win | Opinion
USA Today
07-05-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Florida governor says he'll sign bill that will ban golf courses from state parks
Florida governor says he'll sign bill that will ban golf courses from state parks Show Caption Hide Caption Florida Sen. Gayle Harrell discusses the 'State Park Preservation Act' Florida Sen. Gayle Harrell and TCPalm Columnist Blake Fontenay sit down to discuss Senate Bill 80 or "State Park Preservation Act" at her office in downtown Stuart. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he will sign a bill protecting state parks from development. The bill reverses a previous plan for recreational facilities and hotels in state parks. Bipartisan opposition led to the shelving of the original development plan. Gov. Ron DeSantis said he will sign into law a bill passed this session to protect Florida's 175 state parks from development such as golf courses, pickleball and tennis courts, and luxury lodges. DeSantis spoke May 7 at a roundtable in Tampa about tax relief, answering a question about his stand on the bill. The House webpage for the bill (HB 209) shows that it has not yet been sent to the governor's desk. Lawmakers were quick to applaud the governor's support. The Florida Parks System is the nation's only four-time winner of the gold medal of excellence award by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA). "These are precious natural resources preserving the epitome of real Florida across our state. I am delighted and grateful that Gov. DeSantis will support this legislation," said Rep. Allison Tant, D-Tallahassee, and a member of the Florida Parks Foundation Board of Directors. The announcement marks a turnaround from a contentious plan the DeSantis administration announced last summer called the Great Outdoors Initiative. The initiative, as revealed by the Tampa Bay Times, included plans for recreational facilities or hotels at more than 20 state parks in all regions of the state. Critics quickly likened it to "paving over paradise." But the Legislature, with unanimous votes in both chambers, approved a bill to focus park management on conservation and passive recreation, like hiking, birding, and camping activities that leave the land mostly undisturbed. Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando and a cosponsor of the bill, said the bill's bipartisan support sent a clear message. "Our state parks are not for sale or for profiteering. Florida's parks must be protected from those who wish to pave over their natural beauty. It is unfortunate that this legislation was even needed," Smith said. The administration's plan was shelved in the face of statewide opposition from local, state and federal elected officials. Two Stuart Republicans, Sen. Gayle Harrell and Rep. John Snyder, took the lead in writing legislation to prohibit construction of sports facilities and hotels, named the State Park Preservation Act. Before a mid-April committee meeting, Harrell explained that the challenge was to preserve the parks 'for what they originally were intended for,' with a bill that 'clearly defines conservation-based public outdoor recreational uses,' and with language everyone could agree to. 'This is democracy at work,' Harrell said. This story, which contains previously published material, is developing and may be updated. Check back later for more.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
These Florida students want to protect our state parks. Their art shows it.
In March, the USA TODAY Network-Florida Opinion team reached out to Floridians, seeking their input into House Bill 209 and Senate Bill 80, introduced to protect Florida state parks from the kind of development proposed in 2024. Back then, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's "Great Outdoors Initiative" proposed to make changes at nine state parks, including Jonathan Dickinson State Park near Hobe Sound. The plan to develop the parks, including adding three golf courses in Jonathan Dickinson, was scuttled in the face of furious public opposition and massive controversy. USA TODAY Network-Florida journalists have reported on this the past year, including efforts by Treasure Coast state Rep. John Snyder and Sen. Gayle Harrell to pass the protection bills. The network's state opinion team has advocated strongly and consistently for protection, but sought all Florida voices in the issue. Few came forward in complete opposition. Many letters from readers were published in April. At the same time, Rory Ellison, an assistant environmental educator at the Pelican Island Audubon Society in Indian River County, where he works as a college intern, reached out to the network and asked if his students could learn more about the issue, then address the effort. Shortly before the eve of a Senate vote April 29 on the bill, the network received a digital package from the Audubon Advocates, an after-school science education program of the Pelican Island Audubon Society. The members are fifth-graders at Indian River Academy, south of Vero Beach. The program is designed for fifth-graders in four Title I schools in Indian River County, and addresses "nature deficit disorder," the society says. Its program website says participants go outside, "kayaking on the lagoon, exploring trails and habitat on conservation areas." They learn "science vocabulary words, resulting in better STEM (science, technology and math) scores as they progress to higher grades." Scientists serve as role models. Ellison explained why he had students work on a project addressing the issue: "I read (editor Adam) Neal's article in the newspaper several weeks ago asking people to speak out in support of the campaign to save the parks and prevent a situation like last year when the state government had a secret plan to put golf courses and hotels on park land," Ellison said in an email. "This is meant to be seen by elected representatives and is part of the campaign to convince them and the Legislature to pass the bill. Twelve kids worked hard on it." While youngsters did their own work — shown in the accompanying photo gallery ― they also submitted the following letter, Ellison said: Opinion: USA Today Network-Florida Opinion campaign to preserve and protect our state parks "We want Florida lawmakers to prohibit inappropriate, damaging development in any of Florida's state parks and to make sure that any planning activities for park usage be transparent and made with public involvement. "Please protect Florida's state parks from harmful development by adopting the strong language of House Bill 209 when its companion, Senate Bill 80, is heard on the Senate floor. "HB 209 has broad support from Floridians and was approved unanimously in the House. It will close loopholes that would leave our state parks vulnerable to environmentally damaging development such as golf courses and hotels. We the People of Florida showed our strength by working together to defeat those threats last year. We need to make SB 80 stronger to be sure plans for bad development on park lands don't re-emerge in the future. "Thank you for standing up for state parks! "The Audubon Advocates of the Pelican Island Audubon Society" This article is part of a campaign by the USA Today Network-Florida Opinion Group to support Senate Bill 80 and protect Florida's state parks from development. Email letter, op-eds, even photos to , and we will publish them. Please include your name, city and contact information. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Protect Florida state parks, student Audubon Advocates say | Opinion
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ohio bill would create county-overseen fuel testing programs to protect against bad gas
Apr. 24—Ohio is among three states in the nation that don't have fuel quality testing programs, and one Dayton lawmaker said such a program would protect consumers and businesses alike. "Without regular testing, there is no way of knowing if fuel Ohioans buy contains water, sediments or other contaminants that can cause damage to their car," said state Sen. Willis Blackshear Jr. "In this economy, the last thing people want to be focused on is costly car repairs. Ohioans have the right to know what they're putting into their cars." Blackshear, D-Dayton, is one of Senate Bill 80's sponsors. The bill would authorize county auditors to implement a motor fuel quality testing program. It also would require gas station owners and other fuel retail dealers to allow fuel inspectors to perform various tests on motor fuel pumps and storage tanks. "This legislation is a low-cost way to keep drivers safe. Fuel quality testing should be a no-brainer," Blackshear said. The legislation revives past bipartisan efforts that fizzled out in the Ohio House. Blackshear joined Montgomery County Auditor Karl Keith during a Wednesday press conference. Keith said that just last week, his office received complaints from customers at gas stations in West Carrollton and Farmersville. One customer fueled their car and only traveled a mile down the road before breaking down. An inspector from the auditor's office found water 10 inches deep in an underground gasoline tank at one of the gas stations. Since then, that station has shut down the affected pumps. Keith said that fuel testing protects the consumers, but also businesses — aside from needing to pay for the repair costs of impacted customers, shutting down fuel pumps for a week limits revenue. In the past year, tainted fuel has plagued motorists in Hamilton, Lucas, Lorain and Brown counties. Repairs needed after fueling up with contaminated gas can be costly, ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars. The bill would allow inspectors to test motor fuel quality for octane level, sediment and water in the fuel. County auditors have weights and measures inspectors who visit gas stations to test the quantity of fuel. However, they do not have the authority to test the quality of that fuel. Keith said that because the same inspectors could draw samples to test fuel quality, the cost of implementing a statewide fuel quality program in this manner would be minimal. Keith said consumers who believe they have been sold bad gasoline should contact the gas station and report the incident at or by calling his office's consumer protection hotline at 937-225-6309.
