March 4, 2019
MONDAY MORNING MESSENGER
In Brief
The Texas Legislative Session has picked up steam and legislation is coming in hot and heavy. Stay tuned to the Monday Morning Messenger each week for updates.

In this issue of the Monday Morning Messenger , 
check out our Top Story about propane specific legislation filed by the Railroad Commission.

Also, find out, in Under the Dome , see what two Texas Senators are trying to do to ensure alternative fuel vehicles are paying for their share of the roads.

TPGA in the past has spotlighted the most common DOT audit hazmat violations, in this issue, we highlight the most hazmat roadside violations reported by the FMCSA.

A lot of news is hitting the commercial motor vehicle publication news desks on regulatory changes both through federal rulemaking and legislation. Check out the headlines and read the linked stories below.
In this issue
  • In Brief
  • Top Story
  • Under the Dome
  • Regulatory Spotlight
  • Regulatory News Headlines
Friday, March 8, 2019
Spring Propane Living
Deadline
Top Story
Railroad Commission Files
Propane Cleanup Legislation
The Railroad Commission of Texas has asked the Texas Legislature to carry a bill for them, Rep. Ernest Bailes filed a bill last week.

The legislation is intended to do some cleanup to the statute and give the Railroad Commission of Texas some flexibility when adding and removing different kinds of propane licenses by eliminating the license categories out of the law.

The proposed legislation also removes the requirement that tank manufacturers and fabricators have to be licensed, but would still require registration and proof of insurance.

TPGA Technical & Standards Chair, TPGA representatives and staff are reviewing the 14-page cleanup bill carefully to ensure the legislation does not have any indirect, unintended consequences.
Under the Dome
Additional Texas Vehicle Registration
Fee Proposed for AFV's
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Bipartisan Texas legislation has been filed by two state senators, Senator Kirk Watson (D) Austin and Senator, Charles Schwertner (R) Georgetown to add an additional fee at vehicle registration for alternative fuel vehicles (AFV)s. The legislation will target those alternative fuels not paying road taxes aka state motor fuel taxes and have AFV's using roads help pay for the roads.

While the Senate is taking a more proactive action on the issue, on the Texas House, Rep. Cecilia Israel, is taking a different approach, and has introduced a bill to have Texas A&M Transportation Institute study the issue, how can AFV's contribute to paying for roads with fee versus a motor fuel tax.

Alternative fuels are not the only target, TX SB 1077, also Senator Watson was filed to increase gasoline and diesel from 20 cents to 40 cents.
Regulatory Spotlight
Most Common Roadside Hazmat Violations
  • Placard damaged, deteriorated, or obscured
  • No required placards or markings
  • Vehicle not placarded as required
  • No shipping papers, carrier
  • Shipping paper accessibility
  • Emergency response information missing
  • Failing to enter basic description of hazmat in proper sequence
  • No copy of U.S. DOT hazmat registration
  • Hazmat package not secure in vehicle
Regulatory News Headlines
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