MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) would like to correct recent misinformation regarding the operation and enforcement responsibilities of ADAI’s Weights & Measures Division.

Recent claims suggesting that Alabama consumers are operating on an “honor system” at the gas pump and that businesses must self-report violations are vastly inaccurate. ADAI continues to actively regulate commercial weighing and measuring devices throughout the state and remains the enforcement authority. In fiscal year 2025, ADAI and the licensed service technicians reported inspecting 104,100 pumps and meters and testing 8,256 petroleum products. Those numbers demonstrate that Alabama's system is not based on self-reporting.

“The suggestion that Alabama consumers are operating on an honor system is an inaccurate representation of the work being done by this department. Our employees are in communities across Alabama every day protecting consumers and maintaining fairness in the marketplace,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate. “To suggest that businesses can simply cheat consumers unless they choose to report themselves is misleading and discounts the work our inspectors perform every day. Anyone who says otherwise is either uninformed or disingenuous.”

Licensed service companies play an important role in installing, calibrating, repairing and verifying commercial devices, including fuel dispensers. These companies do not replace ADAI’s regulatory authority. ADAI licenses and monitors service technicians, conducts inspections, investigates complaints and enforces compliance requirements.

ADAI inspectors can condemn devices that do not meet required specifications or tolerances and remove them from commercial service until the violation is corrected. They also issue stop-sale orders on products found to be in violation of state or federal requirements.

Alabama has approximately 5,000 retail fuel locations with more than 100,000 gas pumps, in addition to more than 25,000 light, medium and heavy commercial scales requiring oversight. The use of licensed service technicians, combined with ADAI oversight, random inspections, complaint investigations and enforcement, extends regulatory reach while maintaining state authority.

“All complaints received by our division are addressed within 24 to 48 hours. The costs of violations are substantial, up to as much as $25,000,” said Weights & Measures Director Stacy Boshell. “We work to ensure everyone is treated equally and fairly. Protecting both consumers and businesses through accurate weights and measures remains our priority.”

Advances in technology have allowed ADAI to improve the speed and efficiency of inspections and reporting. Inspectors issue and complete reports electronically in real time from the field, rather than relying on processes that previously could take days or weeks. Electronic records also allow weights & measures inspectors to better track devices, inspections and compliance across the state.

The mission of ADAI's Weights & Measures Division remains unchanged: to protect Alabama consumers and businesses by promoting accuracy, fairness and accountability in commercial transactions. Whether an Alabamian is purchasing fuel at a gas station, buying products by weight at a grocery store or conducting a transaction involving a commercial scale, ADAI continues to provide regulatory oversight and enforcement.

Consumers who believe a fuel pump, commercial scale, price verification system or other regulated device is inaccurate are encouraged to contact ADAI’s Weights & Measures Division at 334-240-7133. Complaints will be addressed within 24 to 48 hours.