April 29, 2019

MONDAY MORNING MESSENGER

In Brief In this issue of the Monday Morning Messenger , the Texas Propane Gas Association continues to update its members as we enter the last 30 days of the Texas Legislative Session that only happens once every two years. This week, a North Texas legislator will introduce a solution to legislation that the association was concerned about. Learn more in our Top Story of the morning on this fix. Also, last Friday, TPGA sent an alert to our members on the Emergency Preparation Tax Holiday. If you missed the notice, please find out more about it and what is eligible in our second story of the day. Additionally, time is running out for anyone interested anywhere in the Lone Star State in receiving $5,000 for a qualifying light-duty propane truck or vehicle. Find out more in the third story of the morning. Lastly, over the last couple of years, the VW settlement and $209M for Texas has been the talk of the town. Well, Texas is finally releasing its first round of funding. Read more about it in our last story of the day.

MEMBERS ONLY WEEKLY NEWSLETTER In this issue In Brief Top Story/CSST Emergency Supplies Tax Exemption Light Duty Trucks Texas VW UPCOMING CALENDAR April 29, 2019 Last day to buy TAX FREE Emergency Preparation Supplies

Top Story

Texas Legislative Update CSST Disclosure Bill Gets Hearing

This Tuesday, the State House Business & Industry Committee will hear for the first time, HB 591 by Rep. Justin Holland of Rockwall, TX. When the House bill was first introduced just after Christmas, the legislation had required homeowners selling their home to disclose that the home has corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) and state that CSST may be damaged by lightning, electrical arcing, or punctures, which may result in a release of fuel gas. The Texas Propane Gas Association has received an advanced copy of the committee substitute from Rep. Holland 's office that he plans on introducing tomorrow. The newly revised text he will propose in the committee hearing does not include the CSST warning but simply outlines which type of piping a house has (e.g. black, copper, fuel gas piping & CSST). The legislation will expand the existing seller's disclosure that already outlines everything from ceiling fans to appliances to now just include piping types.

Tax Update

Emergency Preparedness Tax Free Sales

Today, Monday, April 29, 2019 is the last day to purchase tax free emergency preparation supplies in case you missed our alert on Friday! The Texas tax holiday began at 1 2:01 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, and ends at midnight on Monday, April 29, 2019. There's no limit on the number of qualifying items you can purchase. These include: portable generators priced at less than $3,000. Fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors, gas & diesel fuel containers priced at less than $75;

FULL LISTING OF ITEMS

For more information, call the Comptroller's Office at  1-800-252-5555 .

Last Chance

Light Duty Vehicle Incentive Statewide Incentive Expires May 31, 2019

Are you in the market for a light duty truck? It does not matter where you are in the state of Texas, and funding is available to you for qualifying propane light duty trucks or vehicles under 10,000 lbs. The deadline is quickly approaching to get $5,000 from the State of Texas, the TCEQ to be specific, for the purchase of a new propane vehicle or conversion of a brand new vehicle with less than 500 miles to propane. No replacement and no destruction required. There are 2019 propane conversion systems on the eligibility list for the following: 2019 F-150, F-250, 2019 Chevy Silverado,2019 GMC Sierra, 2019 Ford Transits, 2019 Chevy Express vans and 2019 Nissan Frontier. Funding is available first come, first serve. The state will sweep unused funds. Contact us at (800) 325-7427 for questions, finding a conversion system, finding a converter or if you need help with application submission.

IMPORTANT Add-ons like extended cab, extended bed may put certain trucks over the weight limit. Work with your truck dealer to verify weight limit is under 10,000 lbs. Please also work with your alternative conversion company before purchase of the vehicle to ensure engine families match available conversion kits.

Funding Update

Texas VW Funding to Finally Be Released

Speaking of funding, Texas is finally opening up its first round of VW funding, which will be for school buses, transits and shuttle buses. Before the State of Texas opens up the funding round, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will host a webinar and workshops educating school districts, local governments and operators of shuttle buses on the application process. Any person or entity who operates school buses, transit buses, or shuttle buses with at least 51% of the buses’ annual mileage in one of the Priority Areas listed below, is potentially eligible to apply for a grant. Austin Area: Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties Beaumont-Port Arthur Area: Hardin, Jefferson, and Orange Counties Bell County: Bell County Dallas-Fort Worth Area: Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Hood, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, and Wise Counties. El Paso County: El Paso County Houston-Galveston-Brazoria Area: Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller Counties San Antonio Area: Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, and Wilson Counties School districts and local governments are the ones that will really benefit from VW and may qualify for up to 80% of the cost of the bus. Non-governmental entities only qualify for 25% of the cost of the bus. If you know a school district, local government or entity operating shuttle buses that would be interested have them contact the Propane Council of Texas at (800)325-7427 or at info@propanecounciloftexas.org and a grant expert can help them with the application once it opens. Funding is expected to go quick. Act fast!!!