LRB-1700/3
RJM:cmh&wlj:rs
2003 - 2004 LEGISLATURE
April 18, 2003 - Introduced by Representatives Freese, Gronemus, M. Lehman,
Gard, Ainsworth, J. Wood, Suder, Ott, Musser, Townsend, Hines, Miller,
Owens, Gielow, Bies, Montgomery, Hahn, Albers, Gunderson, Van Roy,
Wasserman, Ziegelbauer, McCormick, Vrakas
and Nass, cosponsored by
Senators Schultz, Cowles, Welch, Wirch, Darling, Reynolds and Zien.
Referred to Committee on Natural Resources.
AB275,1,4 1An Act to renumber and amend 168.04; and to create 168.04 (2) and 168.04
2(3) of the statutes; relating to: prohibiting methyl tertiary-butyl ether in
3automotive gasoline, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures,
4and granting rule-making authority.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Current law requires the Department of Commerce (Commerce) to set
minimum specifications for gasoline, reformulated gasoline, and kerosene and
authorizes Commerce to set minimum specifications for other types of fuel.
This bill requires Commerce to set, by rule, minimum specifications for
automotive gasoline that prohibit automotive gasoline from containing more than
0.5%, by volume, of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE). Similarly, the bill requires
Commerce, by rule, to prohibit any person from offering for sale, distributing,
blending, or manufacturing MTBE as an automotive gasoline additive (except that
persons may offer for sale, distribute, blend, or manufacture automotive gasoline
containing up to 0.5%, by volume, of MTBE). These prohibitions first apply on
August 1, 2004. MTBE is a chemical compound that is added to gasoline, often to
boost the gasoline's octane or to meet clean fuel oxygen requirements.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB275, s. 1 1Section 1. 168.04 of the statutes is renumbered 168.04 (1) and amended to
2read:
AB275,2,133 168.04 (1) The department by rule shall prescribe minimum product grade
4specifications for gasoline, automotive gasoline, automotive gasoline additives, as
5described in sub. (2) (b),
reformulated gasoline, as defined in s. 285.37 (1), and
6kerosene and may prescribe product grade specifications for automotive gasoline,
7gasoline-alcohol fuel blends, aviation gasoline, fuel oils, and diesel fuels.
8Automotive gasoline specifications shall include lead content. The rules shall, to the
9extent feasible, be in conformity with nationally recognized standards, specifications
10and classifications, such as those published by the American society for testing and
11materials, the society of automotive engineers and the U.S. environmental
12protection agency. The department may not promulgate or enforce a rule prohibiting
13additional information from placement on the dispensing device.
AB275, s. 2 14Section 2. 168.04 (2) of the statutes is created to read:
AB275,2,1815 168.04 (2) (a) The rule promulgated by the department under sub. (1) to set
16standards for automotive gasoline shall prohibit automotive gasoline, beginning on
17August 1, 2004, from containing more than 0.5%, by volume, of methyl tertiary-butyl
18ether.
AB275,3,419 (b) The rule promulgated by the department under sub. (1) to set standards for
20automotive gasoline additives shall prohibit any person from offering for sale,
21distributing, blending, or manufacturing methyl tertiary-butyl ether as an

1automotive gasoline additive in this state, beginning on August 1, 2004. It is not a
2violation of such a rule for a person to offer for sale, distribute, blend, or manufacture
3automotive gasoline containing not more than 0.5%, by volume, of methyl
4tertiary-butyl ether.
AB275, s. 3 5Section 3. 168.04 (3) of the statutes is created to read:
AB275,3,116 168.04 (3) Except as otherwise provided in this section, rules promulgated
7under this section shall be in conformity with nationally recognized standards,
8specifications, and classifications, such as those published by the American Society
9for Testing and Materials, the Society of Automotive Engineers, and the U.S.
10Environmental Protection Agency. The department may not promulgate or enforce
11a rule prohibiting the placement of additional information on the dispensing device.
AB275, s. 4 12Section 4. Nonstatutory provisions.
AB275,3,2113 (1) Emergency rule. Using the procedure under section 227.24 of the statutes,
14the department of commerce shall promulgate the rule described under section
15168.04 (2) of the statutes, as created by this act, for the period before the permanent
16rule becomes effective, but not to exceed the period authorized under section 227.24
17(1) (c) and (2) of the statutes. Notwithstanding section 227.24 (1) (a), (2) (b), and (3)
18of the statutes, the department is not required to provide evidence that promulgating
19a rule under this subsection as an emergency rule is necessary for the preservation
20of the public peace, health, safety, or welfare and is not required to provide a finding
21of emergency for the rule promulgated under this subsection.
AB275,4,422 (2) Statement of legislative findings and purpose. The legislature finds that
23methyl tertiary-butyl ether may contaminate groundwater through various means,
24including leaking fuel storage tanks and pipelines, refueling spills, automobile
25accidents, and improper consumer disposal of gasoline. As a result of its odor and

1taste, methyl tertiary-butyl ether can make drinking water supplies undrinkable.
2The purpose of section 168.04 (2) of the statutes, as created by this act, is to reduce
3or eliminate the instances of methyl tertiary-butyl ether contaminating
4groundwater.
AB275,4,55 (End)
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