47-18-1305 - Inspections and testing. - Tennessee Statutes

47-18-1305. Inspections and testing.

(a)  (1)  The commissioner shall implement and administer an inspection and testing program to enforce compliance with § 47-18-1304. The commissioner is authorized to contract for the performance of all, or any portion of, required on-site inspections, sample collection, sample transportation and sample testing.

     (2)  The test results of kerosene and motor fuel analyses shall constitute open records and shall be available for public inspection at the commissioner's office during regular business hours.

     (3)  At the request of any person, the department may test samples collected and delivered by the person to the department. No such test shall interfere with the testing of samples collected pursuant to subdivision (a)(1). Such tests shall be performed only after payment of a fee determined by the commissioner to be sufficient to reimburse the department for its cost in performing such tests.

(b)  (1)  The department shall, at least once each year, inspect and collect at least one (1) sample for testing from each location from which a person conveys kerosene or motor fuel for consumption in Tennessee. Subject to availability of resources, the department may inspect any such location more frequently than once each year and may test a greater number of samples. If transactions occurring at a particular location total an average of less than three hundred (300) gallons per month, then annual inspection and testing of the location shall not be required.

     (2)  When, in the discretion of the commissioner, promotion or protection of the public health, safety, or welfare so necessitates, inspection and testing in addition to the requirements of subdivision (b)(1) shall be performed with regard to:

          (A)  A person or business location which has been previously found by the department to be in violation of § 47-18-1304; and

          (B)  Any person or business location which refines, blends, stores, transports, or distributes kerosene or motor fuel to or for the person or business location referred to in subdivision (b)(2)(A).

     (3)  Upon receiving a consumer complaint alleging a violation of § 47-18-1304, which, in the discretion of the commissioner, indicates that the public health, safety or welfare may be threatened, inspection and testing in addition to that required by subdivision (b)(1) shall be performed with regard to:

          (A)  The person or business location which is the subject of the complaint; and

          (B)  Any person or business location which refines, blends, stores, transports, or distributes kerosene or motor fuel to or for the person or business location referred to in subdivision (b)(3)(A).

     (4)  The commissioner shall maintain a toll-free telephone line for the purpose of encouraging and receiving consumer complaints pertaining to kerosene and motor fuel quality. The commissioner shall undertake such actions and activities as may be necessary to inform and periodically remind consumers of the existence and purpose of the toll-free telephone number. A log of consumer complaints pertaining to kerosene and motor fuel quality shall be maintained at the commissioner's office. The log shall constitute an open record and shall be available for public inspection during regular business hours.

[Acts 1989, ch. 397, § 5.]