Good morning. In this issue of the Monday Morning Messenger, TPGA talks about further efforts we are taking to address issues with the Railroad Commission of Texas' licensing, certification, and training of the propane industry.
In our second story of the morning, the association outlines all state and federal regulatory agencies that will be joining us at Convention. Find out more in this edition of the Messenger.
Thirdly, another federal waiver has been extended during these transitional times. Find out which one and if your CDL drivers fall under this waiver.
Speaking of CDL's, a Texas house bill has been signed by the Governor that is designed to help employers have an easier time get its CDL holders tested.
Check out our Quick Links section for some important reminders and links including the upcoming board meeting, quick access to cylinder compliance items in our TPGA store, link to more information on the sales reports that are due to PERC tomorrow, as well as link to the official convention website.
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In this issue
- In Brief
- TPGA Taskforce
- Regulatory Answers
- Waiver Extension
- CDL Legislative Update
- Quick Links
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Calendar
June 14-30, 2021
June 15, 2021
June 15, 2021
June 16, 2021
June 17, 2021
June 17, 2021
June 22, 2021
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TPGA Taskforce to Address
RRC Concerns
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During the pandemic, TPGA Executive Director met with the RRC Executive Director, Wei Wang to address concerns with the Commission's Alternative Fuels Safety & Training Departments as well as testified during the legislative session on some of the training matters. Since then, the Texas Propane Gas Association has formed a task force to continue to address administrative and training matters at the Railroad Commission.
The task force is made of (5) propane industry leaders including:
- TPGA Executive Director, Bill Van Hoy
- TPGA President, Josh McAdams, McAdams Propane
- Richard Gilbert
- Joe Green, Greens Blue Flame Gas
- Michael Terry, Linscot Enterprises
TPGA will be meeting with the Commissioners in the upcoming weeks to discuss a resolution to these issues.
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Get Your Burning Compliance Questions Answered: Join Us! |
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The Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA) will again be hosting regulators at our upcoming 2021 Crossroads Propane Expo & Conference in August. Multiple state and federal agencies will be joining us in the Regulatory Pavilion on the expo floor.
Several representatives from the Railroad Commission of Texas including the Director of Alternative Fuels Safety Department, Inspector Manager, Inspector Trainer, RRC District 7 Inspector, and Certification Specialist. Also, representatives from the Texas Highway Patrol CMV Enforcement, CDL Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety, and U.S. DOT's Pipeline Hazardous Materials Administration will be joining as well.
Join the RRC, TX DPS, US DOT, and other regulators at the expo hosted by TPGA on Saturday, August 14, 2021, from 10 AM - 4 PM in Corpus Christi, TX. Propane retailers can register for EXPO ONLY (August 14, 2021) or FULL CONFERENCE. (August 12-14, 2021).
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SAVE NOW. REGISTER NOW. THE DISCOUNT ENDS NEXT MONTH.
You can register two ways. Propane retailers can print and complete the registration form or register online.
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DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE WITH REGULATORS OR SAVING ON THE EARLY-BIRD DISCOUNT$! |
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FMCSA CDL Medical Card
Waiver Granted Limited Extension
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To ensure commercial drivers are able to continue to work during these transitional times, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has extended the compliance for medical certificates and federal variances (including Texas vision & limb waivers) until August 31, 2021.
Waiver extended for this date group: Medical Certificate or federal variances that expire on or after March 01, 2021, will remain certified until August 31, 2021. If after that, then a downgrade to a non-commercial license after 60 days.
Drivers who have an updated medical certificate may still submit it to the department by email to CDLMedCert@dps.texas.gov or fax to 512-424-2002.
Reminder: Only submit (1) CDL holder medical card per email.
Unsure if you have updated medical records on file with DPS?
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The Texas Legislature recognizes the applying for a CDL can be burdensome with long wait times and lengthy travel distance to offices where CDL tests are administered by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
One way the Legislative is relieving some of that administrative burden is with the CDL testing process. Previously, only the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) driver's license offices can administer the knowledge test required to obtain a commercial driver's license (CDL).
Texas HB 3395 by Rep. Trent Ashby of Lufkin recently signed into law by the Texas Governor amends Texas Transportation law, to allow DPS to authorize a qualifying entity or person to administer the knowledge test as long as the test is the same as if it was administered by DPS, and so long as the person has entered into an agreement with DPS.
This bill will extend a federal waiver that was approved during the COVID-19 pandemic, which allows third-party entities who administer the CDL skills test to also administer the written knowledge test.
So HB 3395 allows a driver to take both written and skills tests with a third party versus just the skills test.
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Want to know a little more about this provision or CDL testing? As a reminder, the two supervisors from the CDL division of the Texas DPS will be at the TPGA Crossroads expo this August to answer any of your CDL-related questions.
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JUNE 22, 2021
TPGA BOARD & COMMITTEE MEETINGS
THE DOMAIN, AUSTIN, TX
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SHOP OUR CYLINDER COMPLIANCE COLLECTION
DECALS, SIGNS & BROCHURES
AT PROPANE SERVICE CORP
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SALES OF PROPANE REPORTS
ARE DUE TO PERC/FROST
BY TUESDAY,
JUNE 15, 2021
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SAVE ON REGISTRATION
REGISTER EARLY FOR THE
TPGA CROSSROADS CONVENTION & EXPO
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