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MONDAY MORNING MESSENGER
March 23, 2020
In Brief
In this issue of the Monday Morning Messenger , read our Top Story  to get a synopsis of all critical regulatory topics covered the last week in association communications as well as other pertinent tidbits.

Additionally, the Texas Workforce Commission is a resource for employers, especially during this time of coronavirus. They are there for consultation and a resource to find employees as well as the Governor recently asked them to fast track unemployment benefits. Check out more information below in our second story of the day.

Also, many of you have asked if there is any guidance on communicating and dealing with customers. PERC tackles operational matters and customer relations concerning coronavirus on their new page dedicated to COVID matters. Read a synopsis of the topics you can access below.

Last but not least, TPGA has opened our Summer Convention registration, after all this social distancing, you should be ready to take a dip in the beautiful resort-like pool at the Fairmont and tackle some business later this July.
MEMBERS ONLY
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
In this issue
  • In Brief
  • Top Story: Critical News
  • TWC Resources
  • PERC COVID Resources
  • Event Announcement
Top Story
Snapshot of
Top Critical Regulatory News
  • Federal government names propane industry as essential critical workers in the wake of lock downs or shelter in ordinances.

  • RRC cancels in-person training & exams, online continuing education training commences.

  • RRC accepting licensing & certification waiver requests.

  • RRC commences with inspections of LPG installations (not frequented by the public) while social distancing.

  • TX DPS closes all offices with exception of initial CDL applicants & CDL testing by appointment.

  • TX DPS recognizes expired CDL's on or after March 13, 2020 and within 60 days of the end of the disaster.

  • FMCSA hours of service in effect nationwide for those directly providing coronavirus relief.

  • TX DMV relieves overweight & oversize restrictions in connection with coronavirus relief.

Visit & log into the TPGA's Coronavirus/COVID-19 resource webpage on the TPGA website to access waivers and to get caught up on regulatory alerts.
Employer News
Texas Workforce Commission
A Resource During COVID
With uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, the Texas Workforce Commission will offer Texas employers their full support. From legal questions regarding work from home policies to resources for loans, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is there to answer your questions according to recent communication received by the association from the Commission.

In an effort to provide you information as quickly as possible, TWC is developing an email list around COVID 19.  Please sign up  here for future updates.

TWC has developed a webpage with resources and information on actions taken by the commission in response to COVID-19. This page will be continuously updated with answers to questions about operating your business during this time. Please visit https://twc.texas.gov/news/covid-19-resources-employers .

Information about managing multiple layoffs is available at the following site:  https://twc.texas.gov/businesses/mass-claims-unemployment-benefits . Here you will find information about filing a mass claim for unemployment benefits for your employees and our Rapid Response services. Last week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has instructed the Texas Workforce Commission to waive the  waiting week   for unemployment benefits.

For information on preventing layoffs by cutting employee hours or furloughing workers, we encourage you to explore shared work programs . These programs are designed to allow employers to supplement their employees’ lost wages because of reduced work hours with partial unemployment benefits, for more information, or to apply for a shared work plan visit https://twc.texas.gov/businesses/shared-work or email ui.sharedwork@twc.state.tx.us .

If you need to hire new employees in the face of changing demand, we encourage you to post your positions on WorkinTexas.com .

NPGA Member Perk: If you are looking for COVID employment issue guidance, HR University is a HR resource, for National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) members. NPGA members can contact Bill Cook at
HRA Human Resource Associates at (703) 897-8511 or at Wcook62@comcast.net also for complimentary guidance.
PERC Update
PERC Fills in the Blanks
COVID Guidance
The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has come out with coronavirus guidance on operational considerations, interactions with customers as well as information for employers.

Here are just a few topics covered on PERC’s COVID specific page:

·        Propane marketer - need to know
·        Operational considerations
·        Company-customer interactions
·        Out of gas or gas odor calls
·        Considerations when communicating with customers
·        Employer-employee interactions
·        Considerations when communicating with employees

View information on each of these above-mentioned topics at https://propane.com/covid-19-message/ right below a special video message from PERC CEO, Tucker Perkins.
For specific questions please contact the following PERC staff: Eric Kuster, VP Safety, Education & Compliance eric.kuster@propane.com , or Lyndon Rickards, Director of Safety & Compliance lyndon.rickards@propane.com .
Event
TPGA Opens Registration for the
2020 Crossroads Propane Expo & Conference
The 2020 Crossroads Propane Expo & Conference registration is now open. Registration for the summer conference hosted by the Texas Propane Gas Association opened last week.

The conference is slated for July 23-25, 2020 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, TX. The luxurious Fairmont Hotel with resort-like pool is situated downtown connected by sky bridge to the convention center will host conference guests.

The conference will kick off on July 23, 2020 with a 6.1 Managers Continuing Education Training by the RRC and end on July 25, 2020 with expo, President's cocktail and annual gala.
Quote of the Week

"Hard times don't create heroes. It is during the hard times when the 'hero' within us is revealed." - Bob Riley