A new Michigan law removes a compliance burden that has been hitting small auto service shops—but only if a companion bill passes.
Most auto service owners in Michigan don't realize that keeping a fuel container on-site for customer refueling can trigger a costly compliance requirement. Under Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) rules, fuel dispensers have historically required individual device inspection and testing—a process that can be expensive and burdensome for small operations. But a provision buried in HB4679 changes that picture, at least for certain businesses.
House Bill 4679, titled "Agriculture: weights and measures; certain definitions; provide for," amends sections 10 and 28c of the 1964 Public Act 283 (MCL 290.610 and 290.628c). The key provision for auto service owners is found in Section 10, subsection (3), on page 1 of the bill text.
That section creates an exemption: small equipment rental companies that keep fuel containers on-site for customer refueling are no longer required to comply with MDARD's individual device inspection and testing requirements. This eliminates what has been a real compliance cost and administrative burden for smaller shops.
The exemption applies to small equipment rental operations—which includes auto service shops that rent equipment and maintain fuel containers for customers to use. If you fall into this category and have faced citations or compliance costs related to fuel dispenser inspections, this change is relevant to your business.
However, the exemption is not a free pass. Businesses that qualify must still comply with two things: the requirements in the companion bill, HB4678 (also known as request H03381'25, section 28g), and all applicable federal Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. In other words, you're exempt from MDARD's device inspection rules, but you remain responsible for federal safety standards and whatever HB4678 requires.
There's one critical detail: this exemption is not yet law. HB4679's effectiveness is contingent on HB4678 being enacted into law. According to the bill's Enacting section 1, HB4679 takes effect only when its companion bill does. This means the exemption will not apply until both bills have passed and been signed into law.
As of now, HB4679 has been introduced, but its status depends on the legislature's action on both bills. If you're tracking this for your business, monitor the status of both HB4679 and HB4678 to know when—or if—the exemption becomes available.
If you operate an auto service shop with on-site fuel containers and have dealt with MDARD inspection requirements, it's worth staying informed about these bills. Confirm your business model qualifies as a small equipment rental operation under the law's definition. Once both bills are enacted, you may be able to eliminate a compliance cost that has been a real headache for small operators.
For the full bill text and current legislative status, visit the Michigan Legislature's website. Industry associations serving auto service owners can also help clarify how this applies to your specific situation.
Source: HB4679 (2025), Michigan Legislature; tied to HB4678 (H03381'25). Section 10, subsection (3).