TPGA Monday Morning Messenger June 1 2020

June 1, 2020

In Brief

I n this issue of the Monday Morning Messenger , in our Top Story, TPGA updates its members on the status of Texas Drivers License office openings, CDL renewals and CDL skills exams.

The U.S. Small Business Administration recently released more information regarding loan forgiveness for the Payroll Protection Program, which also by the way, still has funding. Learn more in our second story of the morning.

Scroll down to Propane Council updates for some reminders on some upcoming deadlines and dates.

Check out our Railroad Commission Quicklinks section for the latest LP-Gas updates.

Lastly, check out our weekly quick tabs for links to Convention, PSC, our COVID pages & how to follow TPGA on social media.

In this issue

In Brief
CDL Update
PPP Forgiveness
Propane Council Updates
Railroad Commission Updates
Association Quick Tabs

Calendar

June 1, 2020

Container Manufacturer

RRC ~~Licensing~~ Registration

June 1-12, 2020

RRC Exam & Training

Schedule

June 7, 2020

LPG Day Worldwide

June 9, 2020

National Forklift

Safety Day

June 10, 2020

Propane Living Summer '20

Extended Deadline

Driver License Service Appointments

Limited Availability

Waiver for Expired CDL’s Still in Effect

Select driver license offices began a staggered reopening by appointment only for driver license and identification card services starting May 26, 2020. At this time, the Department is limiting services to help minimize the spread of COVID-19. These services include:

Applying for an original Texas driver license (DL) or identification card (ID)
Applying for a Texas learner license
Driver license services requiring a skills exam, and
Applying for a commercial driver license (CDL) or taking

a CDL skills exam

Go to https://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/newappointments.htm to region reopening dates as well as schedule an appointment for one of the above ONLY. *Locations signify CDL skills testing location.

RENEWALS. If your Texas DL, ID, CDL, commercial learner permit, or election ID certificate expired on or after March 13, 2020 , you are granted a waiver for the expiration date for 60 days after the Department provides further public notice that normal operations have resumed The Department has not resumed normal services. You may download a copy of the Verification of Driver License Expiration Extension (PDF) notice.

If above applies your expired CDL is still valid until further notice.

Expired hazmat endorsements and medical cards are valid until June 30, 2020.

However, drivers who have an updated medical certificate may still submit it to the department by email CDLMedCert@dps.texas.gov or by fax 512-424-2002 (if available).

How to Get Paycheck Protection Program

(PPP) Loan Forgiveness

As of late last week, the SBA has processed 4.4 million loans for a total of $510 billion of $660 billion of total program funding. Funding is still available.

For those who have applied for PPP Loan, the loan is not automatically forgiven. Additional steps must be taken so you do not owe.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and U.S. Department of Treasury have released additional guidelines on Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness requirements and procedures.

The Paycheck Protection Program Forgiveness Application is available online. You can find it here .

The guidance can be found here .

The SBA will forgive PPP loans if the funds are used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities (at least 75% of the forgiven amount must have been used for payroll). Forgiveness is based on the employer maintaining or quickly rehiring employees and maintaining salary levels. Small businesses may seek forgiveness at the conclusion of the eight-week covered period, which begins with the disbursement of their loans.

The SBA is continuing to accept applications for the remaining PPP funds approved through the CARES Act. Eligible small businesses should work with an approved lender to apply for the program and can find a lender and get more details on the program at https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program .

#LPGday is June 7th

#LPGday marks its second edition this year on Sunday, June 7th.

The propane industry celebrates #LPGday each year to raise awareness around LPG using the #LPGday hashtag and also, YOUR creative input. Launched last year as part of the Annual Global Awareness Calendar. LPG day is a great success, engaging the LPG industry, media, politicians and the general public around the world. With #LPGday we can significantly increase the visibility of the benefits of LPG with a highly focused social media outreach.

In this time of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the LPG industry has been moved to respond. We have seen some great stories from around the world of how our industry is rising to this unprecedented challenge. We want to encourage our industry to share your stories, and make this day your own.

This year #LPGday will highlight the critical role of LPG in this crisis that we are all facing. LPG is a clean, transportable and immediate energy solution. Lets spread the word through an exceptional adoption of the #LPGday hashtag on Sunday, June 7th on all our social media platforms. By continuing to work together we can make this an important day in our global calendar.