The Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA) has worked with the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR) since this summer regarding their new role in regulating motor fuel meters including LPG motor fuel meters.

TPGA educated TDLR that LPG meters are multi-purpose and are rarely designed to only pump solely motor fuel to the public. Most of our motor fuel is private stations not subject to regulation.

Additionally, TPGA pointed out that LPG meters are already regulated by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) and have been since 1985.

TDLR recognized there was a redundancy in the regulation of LPG meters and worked to get LPG exemption included in their motor fuel regulation clean-up bill.

Texas House Bill 3408 has finally been introduced to remove the requirement for LPG-only "motor fuel" meters to registered with TDLR and subject to additional redundant inspection and calibration. The calibration requirement was set to take effect on September 1, 2021.

If HB 3408 passes, the Texas Department of Agriculture, (TDA) will continue to be the sole regulator for commodity weights and measures in Texas for propane.

All other motor fuel metering (gasoline, diesel, and CNG) will remain at TDLR.

Last week, The Texas House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee met to consider House Bill 19, the commercial motor vehicle accident litigation standardization bill that we reported on in last Monday's Messenger.

The hearing lasted well past 10 PM at night and legislators heard from numerous witnesses including Texas Propane Gas Association President, Josh McAdams of McAdams Propane and Midstream Transportation who testified in favor of the bill and shared stories of unwarranted excessive claims from accident plaintiffs

The legislation faces opposition from the Texas Trial Lawyers who have already had a TV and radio ad campaign again HB 19.

Representative Leach, the Chairman of the Committee and bill sponsor, plans to lay out a Committee Substitute to House Bill 19 on Wednesday, March 17th, and will allow the public time to review the final bill before the Committee votes to send it to the full house for consideration at a subsequent meeting.

TPGA will continue to keep members up to date on the progression of this legislation and its newly filed senate companion, SB 17 which is designed to provide a fair playing field for commercial motor vehicle owners who at times fall victim to predatory lawyers and folks looking for a large payday.

12:00 PM – 12:30 PM: Capitol Lunch on Colorado St from propane-powered food trucks for legislators and their offices.

DATE & TIME: Tuesday, March 30, 2021 9:00AM - 4:00PM

LOCATION: Jack Walzel's House 298 County Road 100, Buckholts, TX 76518

TPGA President Josh McAdams invites you to attend the first scheduled TPGA committee/board meeting of 2021. TPGA Board member and Past President Jack Walzel has offered his centrally-located home at 298 County Road 100, Buckholts, TX 76518 as the location for the meetings.

Our desire is to set the meetings outside, weather permitting. If the meetings must be conducted inside, safe meeting protocols will be adhered to.

If you elect to come the evening prior to the meetings, there are several hotels within a short drive (no TPGA group block).

The meetings will start at 9:00a and finish by 4:00p.

All meetings will be conducted in one day. Lunch will be catered.

Legislative Session

Technical & Standards

Conference & Meetings

Executive Committee

Financials & Budget

Please RSVP to info@txpropane.com by March 23, 2021, so staff can plan for food and meeting materials.

Call-in information

Dial-in #: 916-558-7514

PIN #: 357968