5/4/06-Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed a bill May 2 that will bring hefty fines on fuel stations that overcharge customers. The effort won unanimous support in the Legislature.
Existing Michigan rules limit the fines for first-offense quantity violations to between $50 and $1,000.
In addition to other penalties, the new law will make station owners who intentionally short customers pay a civil fine of $5,000 for a first offense. A second offense will cost stations $10,000, and a third offense will carry a $25,000 fine.
The new law, previously HB4502, gives the Michigan Department of Agriculture authority to shut down a station’s pumps until the problem is corrected. The department will be required to annually inspect stations with three or more intentional violations.

4/27/06-The Legislature has approved a bill that would bring hefty fines on fuel stations that short customers. The bill now heads to Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s desk for her signature.
Existing Michigan rules limit the fines for first-offense quantity violations to between $50 and $1,000.
Sponsored by Rep. Fran Amos, R-Waterford, HB4502 would make station owners who intentionally short customers pay a civil fine of $5,000 for a first offense. A second offense would cost stations $10,000, and a third offense would carry a $25,000.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture would be given authority to shut down a station’s pumps until the problem is corrected. The department would be required to annually inspect stations with three or more intentional violations.
For bill status, call (517) 373-0630.

4/20/06-The Senate voted Thursday, April 20, to unanimously approve a bill that would bring hefty fines on fuel stations that short customers. It now heads back to the House for final approval.
Existing Michigan rules limit the fines for first-offense quantity violations to between $50 and $1,000.
Sponsored by Rep. Fran Amos, R-Waterford, HB4502 would make station owners who intentionally short customers pay a civil fine of $5,000 for a first offense. A second offense would cost stations $10,000, and a third offense would carry a $25,000.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture would be given authority to shut down a station’s pumps until the problem is corrected. The department would be required to annually inspect stations with three or more intentional violations.
For bill status, call (517) 373-0630.

4/18/06-The Senate Agriculture, Forestry and Tourism Committee approved a bill that would bring hefty fines on fuel stations that short customers.
Existing Michigan rules limit the fines for first-offense quantity violations to between $50 and $1,000.
HB4502 would make station owners who intentionally short customers pay a civil fine of $5,000 for a first offense. A second offense would cost stations $10,000, and a third offense would carry a $25,000.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture would be given authority to shut down a station’s pumps until the problem is corrected. The department would be required to annually inspect stations with three or more intentional violations.
The bill has been sent to the full Senate for consideration. The House unanimously passed it in March. If it wins approval in the Senate, it would head to Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s desk.
For bill status, call (517) 373-0630.

3/10/06-The House has unanimously approved a bill that would bring hefty fines on fuel stations that short customers.
Existing Michigan rules limit the fines for first-offense quantity violations to between $50 and $1,000.
HB4502, sponsored by Rep. Fran Amos, R-Waterford, would make station owners who intentionally short customers pay a civil fine of $5,000 for a first offense. A second offense would cost stations $10,000, and a third offense would up the fine to $25,000.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture would be given authority to shut down a station’s pumps until the problem is corrected. The department would be required to annually inspect stations with three or more intentional violations.
The bill now heads to the Senate for further consideration. For bill status, call (517) 373-0630.

Click here to read the 2005 legislative updates for HB4502.