Good morning! Welcome to the Tuesday Telegraph. You only see the Tuesday Telegraph the day after a federal holiday in which the association is closed. Our regularly scheduled Monday Morning Messenger will be back next week.
In our first story of the day, the Texas Propane Gas Association is excited to announce a health care option for our members who want to get a group plan for their company.
In our second story of the day, TPGA has a few CDL and transportation-related updates for you.
The Texas Legislative Session is a month in, and there are several bills on our radar that we are tracking. Check out one of them that will further protect businesses from local regulation in our third story of the day.
Also, there are only ten days left to reserve funds for $12M in first-come, first-served grants for new propane vehicles from the State of Texas. Learn more in our last story of the day.
Also, as always, check out our Quick Links as TPGA links to information we think the industry will find beneficial. Additionally, we have the latest Winter pricing and supply updates from the Energy Information Administration. Lastly, we provide fast access so you can get registered for Texas Energy Day, which is virtual this year.
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In this issue
- In Brief
- Health Insurance
- DPS & CDL Updates
- Business Protection Act
- Reserve Now, Buy Later Propane Grant Expiring
- Quick Links
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Calendar
February 19-26, 2021
February 23-24, 2021
February 24, 2021
February 26, 2021
February 28, 2021
March 1, 2021
March 8, 2021
March 12, 2021
Bill filing deadline for
Texas Legislation
March 31, 2021
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Association Group Healthcare
Plan Option Announced
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The Texas Propane Gas Association has had a long relationship with Frost Bank. With their insurance division's help, TPGA has found a group plan with lower premiums through what they call a "level-funded plan."
What qualifies for a group? Your company has at least two or more employees it plans to insure. These plans are typically designed for groups of 50 or less, but at least one insurance carrier has a higher threshold.
The level-funded group plans offered through Frost Insurance vary because they are underwritten based on the group's age and health.
In addition to competitive rates, the plan has what they call a claims bucket. A percentage of all insured in your plan premiums are placed in a bucket and claims subtracted from the bucket throughout the year; anything left over at the end of the year is split 50/50 between the group employer and the carrier.
The plan is competitive and not for everyone. A carrier like Aetna and United, who offer the level-funded, can choose not to fund a group if it is high risk.
Plan Highlights
- Competitive premiums
- No hidden fees or charges
- Money-back at the end of the year if minimal claims
You can read more about level-funded insurance plans in the March 2021 edition of Texas Propane magazine or get started on a quote for your group health insurance now.
How do I get started?
Don't have a group plan, or if your group plan renewal date is coming up, contact Jarred Bennett at Frost Insurance at (713) 388-1316 or by email at Jarred.Bennett@frostinsurance.com, and Frost can get you started on the questionnaire for your group's previous health history to see if your group qualifies.
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Further Hours Relief Provided
with Texas Governor's
Disaster Declaration
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HOURS OF SERVICE . With the original Texas Department of Public Safety hours of service winter weather waiver expiring at 11:59 PM last night, Monday, February 15, 2021, further relief is extended through the Governor's recent Disaster Declaration.
49 CFR §390.23 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) adopted by the Texas Department of Public Safety refers to Relief from regulations.
49 CFR §390.23 of the FMCSR states 49 Parts 390-399 shall not apply to any motor carrier or driver operating a commercial motor vehicle to provide emergency relief during an emergency declared by the President, Governor of a state, or another authorized representative.
FMCSR defines an emergency as many things, including snowstorm, ice storm, blizzard, blackout, natural or man-made, which interrupts the delivery of essential services and supplies, including fuel.
Governor Abbott declared an emergency with a Disaster Declaration for Texas winter weather conditions.
According to a Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement representative of the Texas Highway Patrol, the Disaster Declaration suspends FMCSR 49 Parts 390-399, including Part 395, which outlines Hours of Service for those CMV’s providing emergency relief.
The Governor’s disaster declaration by statute is valid for 30 days from the issuance date of February 12, 2021.
Please find a copy of the Governor's Disaster Declaration which activates the exemption found in 49 CFR 390.23.
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Texas Department of Public Safety Miscellaneous Updates |
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WEBSITE
The Railroad Commission is not the only state agency website that has changed, the Texas Department of Public Safety has also given their website a much-needed facelift. Any pages that were previously bookmarked may no longer be working. Below are a few of the new direct links that pertain to the propane industry.
Texas DPS Main page:
CDL & DL page:
CDL & DL Appointments:
CDL MEDICAL CARD WAIVER
On a separate note, the CDL Medical Card waiver is ending soon. CDL medical certificates or variances that expired on or after September 01, 2020 will only remain certified until February 28, 2021. Drivers can submit updated medical cards by fax to 512-424-2002 or by email as a PDF attachment to CDLMedCert@dps.texas.gov. |
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Texas Small Business Protection Act |
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Texas Senate Bill 551, the Texas Small Business Protection Act, filed by Rep. Donna Campbell would prohibit local regulation & requirement of employment benefits.
Basically, a city cannot dictate what an employer has to provide employees in the form of benefits including health insurance, retirement, disability, paid leave, and other types of benefits.
The Texas Small Business Protection Act prevents patchwork regulations on businesses and protects businesses from overreaching ordinances that insert local government into the employment practices of private businesses.
Protections from over-burdensome local government regulations seems to be an on-going trend this session as it has in past sessions.
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Last Chance! Apply Now, Buy Later Texas Medium Duty Grant Deadline is February 26, 2021
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$12 million dollars is still available in non-competitive TCEQ grants to replace MY 2009 or older operational gasoline & diesel vehicles with new low emission dedicated propane vehicles.
The deadline to reserve funds is February 26, 2021.
Upon approval from TCEQ, you have up to 18 months before you have to purchase the new dedicated propane medium duty to heavy duty vehicle anything from a ¾ ton truck to bobtail to school bus.
To be eligible, you must operate 75 % of the time in Texas
A sales quote will be required to reserve funds and apply. Model year applied for and model year purchased can change as long as the emissions are the same or better.
Grant amount. The older and higher emitting the old vehicle or bus and the higher the GVWR, the bigger the payout.
The Propane Council of Texas offers complimentary grant consultation and writing assistance. Email info@propanecounciloftexas.org with a copy of your most current vehicle registration for the vehicle you want to replace, and we will review to see if it is eligible and how much you might receive.
Don’t miss on these first-come, first-served funds.
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REGULATORY ALERTS, UPDATES, & WAIVERS |
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MEMBERS SAVE AT
PROPANE SERVICE CORP
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WINTER FUELS
SUPPLY & PRICE UPDATE
INCLUDES STATE DATA
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JOIN US VIRTUALLY FOR
TEXAS ENERGY DAY
FEBRUARY 24, 2021
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