State Rep. Steve Johnson recently testified before the House Commerce Committee in support of House Bill 4717, which allows gas cans made, sold and used in Michigan to not conform to federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations.

“The gas can is a prime example of government regulations ruining a perfectly fine product made in the private sector,” said Johnson, of Wayland. “Government should not be making the lives of its citizens more difficult or more complicated than absolutely necessary.”

Overbearing federal environmental regulations have resulted in self-venting gas can designs which often makes pouring fuel a frustrating task for even the most patient of individuals. Johnson’s bill simply states that gas cans manufactured, sold and used in Michigan would not be subject to interstate commerce laws, and therefore not subject to federal EPA regulations.

“I received overwhelmingly positive feedback from across the state after introducing this bill earlier this year,” Johnson said. “This strikes a chord with Michiganders, since reading instructions to use a gas can that is going to leak all over is the last thing that they want on their mind when mowing the lawn or filling up their boat after a long day of work. This is an important opportunity for the government to get out of the way and let a simple product do a simple task.”

House Bill 4717 remains under consideration by the House Commerce and Tourism Committee.