House approves measure allowing additional racing-fuel tanks at retail stations

St. Paul — The Minnesota House of Representatives passed House File 247 on March 20, 2025, by a vote of 132-0, allowing retail gasoline stations to add an additional storage tank that can hold racing fuel and other non-oxygenated blends.

The bill, carried by Representative Chris Kosnick, would change weights-and-measures rules to permit an extra tank for non-oxygenated fuels that are commonly used in classic cars, motorcycles and small engines. "That is what the bill does, madam speaker," Kosnick told the chamber during third-reading debate.

Why it matters: supporters said the change reduces regulatory limits for petroleum marketers and gives consumers more options. Representative Steve Herr, who spoke in support, urged a "green vote" and initially described the bill as limited to retail stations near motorsport facilities; Kosnick later said the Department of Commerce recommended language to make the change statewide so the weights-and-measures division can apply it consistently across Minnesota.

Supporters said the change originated from a request by a new gas station near Elko New Market Speedway that wanted to offer racing fuel and other non-oxygenated blends. Kosnick said examples of affected users include "classic cars, motorcycles, your snowmobiles, lawn mowers, snow blowers, some small engines that run better... if you put in premium non-oxygenated fuels." The House approved the bill and "its title is agreed to," per the clerk's announcement after the roll call.

The measure passed on a roll-call vote recorded as 132 ayes and 0 nays. The bill will proceed to the engrossment/title steps required before any subsequent processing.