The proposed bill would amend current statutes regarding the petition process for waivers from fuel reformulation requirements in Arizona. Under current law, any registered supplier or oxygenate blender can petition the Associate Director of the Division to request a waiver if they can demonstrate imminent ethanol supply shortages. The bill expands this process by allowing these petitions to be made to both the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, thereby increasing the level of legislative oversight in the waiver process. Additionally, the bill stipulates that any decision to grant a petition must be equally applicable to all registered suppliers or oxygenate blenders and requires verification of the factual basis for the petition.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a conditional enactment that ties the effectiveness of these amendments to the U.S. EPA's approval of modifications to gasoline fuel blend requirements for Area A by July 1, 2027. It also allows for the reauthorization of granted petitions if the petitioner can demonstrate that the conditions for the waiver continue to exist. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the waiver process while ensuring that it is applied uniformly and based on factual evidence.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 3-3493, 3-3494, 49-401.01, 3-3433, 3-3492
House Engrossed Version: 3-3493, 3-3494, 49-401.01, 3-3433, 3-3492