Submitted by Office of Sen. Jim Banks
Banks
Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) introduced on Wednesday the Gas Can Freedom Act, legislation to roll back federal red tape that has turned a basic household tool into a regulated nightmare.
If enacted, this bill would strip away burdensome federal mandates on gas cans, restore consumer choice, reduce unnecessary costs, and keep Washington out of the garage. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas-21) is leading the bill in the House.
“My bill ends an Obama-era rule that made it harder to do something as simple as mow the lawn,” Sen. Banks said. “It’s time to cut the red tape and stop the overregulation of everyday life. Bring back commonsense gas cans!”
Key provisions of the bill
- Repeal the laws mandating cumbersome gas can features
- Nullify existing Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations issued under those laws.
- Prohibit the CPSC from issuing future regulations requiring flame mitigation devices or overly complex spouts.
- Restore consumer choice, reduce costs and allow manufacturers to return to proven fuel can designs.
Click here to read the full text of the bill.
Background
In 2009, under the Obama Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency banned traditional vented metal gas cans and replaced them with rigid, non-vented plastic cans.
Due to continued frustration with newer models, demand has surged for older, pre-2009 vented cans. Reports indicate old cans sell online for $60 to $100 each and in some cases hundreds of dollars for multiple units. This strong resale market underscores the popularity of the previous designs.
In July 2025, the Trump Administration’s EPA launched its “Make Gas Cans Great Again” initiative, encouraging manufacturers to reintroduce self-closing vents to improve fuel flow and usability.
Why would you focus on gas cans when our military isn’t getting paid? Why would you want fire hazards instead of safety cans? Do you know how explosive gasoline is? Do you know health care is going up and an exploding gas cans WILL put you in the hospital.
Firstly ; agreed, current Rube Goldberg designed gas cans are overly difficult to use & don’t really deliver on their promise of reducing or eliminating spillage.
So if it’s deemed so important that Washington stay out of Americans garages, how about taking that premise of freedom to it’s logical conclusion & also stay out of Americans bedrooms, doctors offices & bathrooms as well.
Zip codes & gas cans while Rome burns Senator ?
Proof positive that it’s impossible for a politician to be embarrassed.
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Thank God this bill has been brought forward to common sense on the “opening” of a gas can. I would purchase the old cans at garage sales and cut off the plastic ring just to get the gas to flow into my mower. Those Obama gas cans were not user friendly for seniors. I bet Obama never cut a blade of grass in his life.
Glad to see that Banks is focusing on the really important issues!
So you think those gas cans don’t cause gas to spill on hot engines and are easy to use?