MONDAY MORNING MESSENGER
December 30, 2019
In Brief
In this issue of the Monday Morning Messenger , read our Top Story of the day, TPGA wants to remind employers of CDL drivers about the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse requirements as the compliance date draws nearer.

TPGA has numerous Member Perks . Check out our second story of the morning to find out about our workers comp program.

Also, the Tier II reporting deadline is coming up, and the TCEQ is offering the last of its training in January. Check out what dates remain and how to register for a training class.

Does your company have a Facebook Business page? If so, tune into a special webinar from PERC on how to better utilize and plan Facebook posts for your business. Register for the webinar in our last story of the morning.
MEMBERS ONLY
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
In this issue
  • In Brief
  • Top Story: Compliance
  • TPGA Member Perks
  • Training/Compliance
  • Marketing Minute
CALENDAR

January 1, 2020
TPGA & PSC Closed

January 1, 2020
New Overtime Rule
Takes Effect

January 6, 2020
Mandatory Use of the
FMCSA Drug Clearinghouse
Required

January 6, 2020
PERC Facebook
Training Webinar

January 8-16, 2020
Tier II Training
Multiple Locations

January 24, 2020
TCEQ TERP Grantees
Annual Reports Due
Top Story
FMCSA Drug Clearinghouse
Compliance Deadline: January 6, 2020
On January 6, 2020, the FMCSA’s mandatory Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse rule goes into effect, meaning that CDL employers will be required to query the online FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse database before hiring a driver and once per year for existing drivers.

The rule additionally requires FMCSA-regulated employers, Medical Review Officers, Substance Abuse Professionals, consortia/third party administrators, and other service agents to report any drug or alcohol violations to the Clearinghouse.

While drivers are not required to register by the mandatory compliance date, they must be registered in order to provide employers with electronic permission to query their drug and alcohol records prior to hiring. Drivers will also be able to use the Clearinghouse to view their own drug and alcohol records.

There is no cost to use the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse except for CDL employers, who must purchase a Query plan from the FMCSA. 
Registration
Commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders, employers, medical review officers, and substance abuse professionals can visit  https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov  and register to create a secure online user account before the compliance deadline of January 6, 2020.
Reprinted with Permission from https://cdllife.com/
Member Perks
Discounted Workers Comp Insurance
Take advantage of lower workers' compensation premiums with TPGA affinity partner, Lone Star Energy Group.

TPGA has partnered with the Lone Star Energy Group to provide discounted workers comp insurance through Texas Mutual for qualifying propane gas members.

Lone Star Energy Safety Group members get premium discounts; industry-specific safety services (e.g. e-learning, online safety resource center, safety consultations); and possible individual and safety group dividends.* Dividends are based on performance and not guaranteed.

TPGA members can learn more about the discounted workers comp insurance by contacting Curtis Heptner at  curtis@1starins.com  or at (940) 397-2771 or by contacting their Texas Mutual agent.
Training
Last Chance. Tier II Training Classes Ending
Snag Your Spot in a January One.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is holding their last Tier II training classes of the season this January 2020 at multiple locations.

If you store more than 10,000 lbs of propane (e.g. 2,380 gallons) you must file a Tier II annually with the TCEQ by March 1st.

The one day classes will be free, and will cover TCEQ's online reporting system. Every class will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m. with a break for lunch.

Class size is limited. Registration for a class will be on a first-come first-serve basis. 
Marketing Minute
Facebook Planning Training Webinar
for Propane Professionals
Over 2019, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) held numerous webinars on Google and digital advertising, now in the first quarter of 2020, they will tackle social media.

Check out their next webinar, next week

Monday, January 6, 2020 2PM
Facebook/Social Media Plan Development

You set up your company's Facebook page, now what? Learn how to develop and execute a successful social media plan for your company or organization on this webinar from PERC.