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Senate approves measure allowing fuel sellers flexibility across meridian to ease supply burdens
Summary
House Bill 46 90 passed after a floor perfecting amendment clarifying that retailers and suppliers may sell gasoline meeting either side of the 90th meridian standards, intended to ease regional compliance burdens.
The Texas Senate passed House Bill 46 90 on final passage after adopting a floor amendment clarifying that motor fuel retailers and suppliers may buy and sell gasoline meeting the vapor-pressure standards of either region divided by the 90th meridian.
Sponsor Senator Blanco said national changes to fuel standards had created compliance challenges for retailers in Texas and that the bill provides flexibility to ease distribution during transition months (April and November). The floor amendment corrected drafting language to make the retailer/supplier flexibility explicit.
Why it matters: The change aims to reduce logistical complexity and costs for fuel distribution at the state level by allowing retailers and suppliers to offer fuels that comply with either regional standard in the specified geographic transition zone. Supporters said the change will lower costs passed to consumers and simplify compliance.
Action: The Senate adopted the amendment and passed the bill; the Secretary reported a recorded outcome of 30 ayes and 1 nay on the suspension vote and final passage.
Limits: The floor discussion centered on alignment with recognized national standards and a perfecting correction; the bill does not appear to change federal requirements and implementation will require coordination with enforcement and measurement authorities.
Next steps: With final passage on the floor, HB 46 90 will proceed for enactment and implementation by relevant state agencies overseeing fuel measurement and quality.
