On March 30, 2021, the Texas Propane Gas Association held our Spring 2021 / First Quarter Meetings in Central Texas. The board and multiple association committees met to discuss association matters and propane industry issues.
The TPGA Legislative Committee met and discussed top-flagged legislation for the 2021 Texas Legislative Session that ends in May. The legislation reported on included: removing motor fuel meter regulation from the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation; banning gas bans by local governments; CSST disclosure legislation; RRC training changes; CMV accident tort reform; pavement consumption fee; expansion of the natural gas vehicle grant program; repeal of the light-duty vehicle incentive program; and weight exemption for vehicle partially powered by propane.
The Technical & Standards Committee met, and TPGA Sr. Technical Director, Richard Gilbert, who serves on the NFPA 54 and NFPA 58 code development committees on a national level, reported on code changes, new codes in development, the need for subject matter experts on propane vehicles and food trucks and how the industry can comment on the upcoming 2021 edition of NFPA 54.
The committee discussed future RRC LP Gas Safety rulemaking, current NFPA 58 requirements, and other industry regulatory matters.
The meetings committee met to discuss the current 2021 Convention slated for August 12-14, 2021, and possible venues and host cities for 2022.
The finance committee presented 2020 End of Year Financials and how the association healthy financially although being a COVID year.
The board met, and the following positions were formally appointed:
District 2 Director, Matt Brock, McAdams Propane
District 7 Director, Sharon Seale, Bell Hydrogas
District 9 Director, Brad Quisenberry, Gene Harris Petroleum
District 9 Alternate, Larry Hearn, Yellow Rose Propane
Also, the Executive Director reported on a number of matters, including the new association health care plan.
The board also voted and approved a coalition/task force made of five propane industry including the Executive Director, to work through issues at the Railroad Commission.
