Bill introduced to make gas pump clips for hands-free filling universal

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — If you've been to any gas station, you've mostly seen and used the clips on the pump handle that allow you to pump gas without holding the handle down.
One New York Senator, Joe Griffo, a Republican representing the 53rd District, is working to make these clips universal. Griffo has introduced a bill in the Senate.
According to Griffo's office, out of 50 states in the nation, only New York State has some restrictions on locking fuel handles at the gas pump. He said these regulations are decades old and were written because of less safe technology then.
'In 2008, they began in the fire code in the state, we're going to implement and enforce the revisions that were done back in the 80s,' he said.
News 8 went to 10 gas stations near the Humboldt Street studios — three in Rochester, two along Empire Boulevard, and two in Webster — and all but one had these clips.
'$3 for gas is crazy': Why gas prices differ between pumps, experts weigh in
A spokesperson with the city of Rochester's fire marshal says there is currently no ban on the clips. They say if this legislation were passed, it would shift regulation to the Attorney General's office, rather than through the fire code, and gas stations would then install the clips on the pumps that don't have them already.
Griffo says new technology makes the clips and hands-free filling safer and easier, and helpful in winter.
'People were saying when it's 20 below zero, and standing there and holding this gas thing when you can be in your car, is challenging and problematic,'
Griffo says there are two weeks left in session, and this bill may not make it to a vote this time around.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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