Good morning! It looks like we are getting a warm-up this week, giving you some relief after unprecedented winter storms that have plagued Texas.
Check out our calendar spotlight for an update on Texas Energy Day.
In this issue of the Monday Morning Messenger, our big story of the morning is really just running down all the relief that is available to you as you continue to tend to customers and meet their needs wherever you are in the supply chain.
Additionally, in a separate story, we take deeper dive into the CDL medical card waiver extension that was just granted, providing even further relief for the fuel transportation industry.
The Texas Legislative Session has been plagued with a number of delays with COVID and now with winter storms, but that has not stopped legislation from being continually filed. Check out our Under the Dome story of the morning for a bill that may help you or even one of your customers.
TPGA wanted to close another reminder that it is okay to fill competitor's tanks during an emergency. This is a question we frequently get, and we periodically remind our members about it, especially during times like these where propane retailers are trying to meet unprecedented peak demand. Check out our last story to see the law on this subject.
As always, we have some Quick Links for you, on events, to our TPGA compliance store, as well as some winter storm resources you can share with your customers on what to do after a storm.
Also, we wanted to bring to your attention that TPGA did not send out the Winter Weekly last week due to uncertain and incomplete data.
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In this issue
- In Brief
- Texas Energy Day Update
- Active Waivers
- CDL Medical Card Extension
- RV Park Limited Liability
- Tank Fill Law Reminder
- Quick Links
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Calendar
February 22-26, 2021
February 23-24, 2021
February 24, 2021
Virtual Texas Energy
Day at Texas Capitol
February 25, 2021
February 26, 2021
February 28, 2021
CDL Medical Card
Waiver Expiration
March 1, 2021
March 3, 2021
March 8, 2021
March 12, 2021
Bill filing deadline for
Texas Legislation
March 31, 2021
March 31, 2021
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Calendar Spotlight:
Texas Energy Day Postponed
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As you could imagine every facet of the energy industry has been affected by the recent winter storms as a result, Texas Energy Day originally scheduled for Wednesday, February 24, 2021, is being postponed until a later date to be announced.
TPGA will keep you updated with new information as soon as it is released.
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Tracking Arctic & COVID Waivers:
A Full List of Active Waivers
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It's hard to keep track of all the state and federal relief that keeps popping up, whether it is from the recent arctic blast or COVID.
Here is a list of state and federal waivers that TPGA is currently tracking some just recently extended or issued as of last week.
Click on links for each for more information.
(Expires 03/04/21)
Extended FMCSA CDL Medical Card Waiver (See Next Story)
(Expires 03/02/21)
(Expires when Governor's COVID-19 Disaster Declaration expires
renewed every 30 days, tentatively expires March 4, 2021)
(Correction: Expires 03/12/21)
(Expires 03/12/21)
TPGA will continue to keep its members informed of any updates.
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Expiring CDL Medical Card
Waiver Extended by FMCSA
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Due to limited operations or backlogs, drivers may be unable to obtain physical examinations with medical examiners to comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). As a result, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has extended its previous medical waiver that was set to expire on February 28, 2021.
The newly issued extension will allow state driver's license agencies, like the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), to waive medical requirements and not downgrade CDL for medical cards that expired on or after December 1, 2020, until May 31, 2021. DPS is recognizing this extension.
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Drivers who have an updated medical certificate may still submit it to the department by email at CDLMedCert@dps.texas.gov or by fax at 512-424-2002.
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Under the Dome: Texas Legislature
RV Park & Campground
Limited Liability
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Some of our members are comprised of RV parks and many of you service RV Parks, so TPGA thought we would highlight Texas House Bill 1478 filed this legislative session that limits the liability of RV Park and campgrounds.
The proposed legislation introduced by Rep. John Cyrier of Lockhart states:
a recreational vehicle park or campground entity is not liable to any person for a recreational vehicle park or campground participant injury or damages arising out of a recreational vehicle park or campground participant injury if, at the time of the recreational vehicle park or campground activity from which the injury arises, as long as it posts the following warning:
WARNING. UNDER TEXAS LAW (CHAPTER 75B, CIVIL PRACTICE AND REMEDIES CODE), A RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARK OR CAMPGROUND ENTITY IS NOT LIABLE FOR ANY INJURY TO OR DEATH OF A RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARK OR CAMPGROUND PARTICIPANT RESULTING FROM A RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARK OR CAMPGROUND ACTIVITY.
The bill is still in its infancy stages and like 99% of the other bills, has yet to receive a hearing.
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TPGA will update its members if the bill passes. |
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You Can Fill a Competitor's Tank Only During Emergencies When They are Not Available
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The recent severe weather and delivery days can leave customers anxious to fill their tank by whatever means necessary so they don't run out of gas.
TPGA wants to remind members again of Chapter 2002 of the Business & Commerce code in the Texas law books that allows you to fill tanks if the fuel provider/owner of that tank is not available and it is an emergency.
A person who is not the owner of a liquefied petroleum gas container may fill or refill the container if the person who occupies the premises where the container is located:
(1) requests the service; and
(2) signs a written request stating that:
(A) an emergency exists; and
(B) the owner is unavailable to fill or refill the container, as applicable.
1, 2, A & B must be met to fill the tank. To read the full law, click here.
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DON'T MISS OUT, IT'S ON
FEBRUARY 23-24, 2021
IT'S FREE & VIRTUAL
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FIND PROPANE COMPLIANCE PRODUCTS AT
PROPANE SERVICE CORP
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NO TPGA WINTER FUELS SUPPLY & PRICE UPDATE
LAST WEEK DUE TO LACK OF
TEXAS DATA
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PERC BEFORE, DURING
& AFTER WINTER STORM PROPANE CONSUMER SAFETY
INFORMATION
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