On January 22, the IPGA hosted its annual lobby day at the Indiana Statehouse. Members had the opportunity to discuss the propane industry and its importance to the State of Indiana.   

IPGA focused on the passage of HB 1162. HB 1162 is a bureau of motor vehicles departmental bill which includes IPGA language to permit 18+ year old drivers to obtain a HAZMAT endorsement for intrastate driving.

This week, the Indiana General Assembly held the third week of the 2024 legislative session. It continues to be a fast paced and busy session, with each chamber of the legislature seeing an influx of bills get passed through committee and sent to the floor for second and third readings. Halfway deadlines are approaching, with the House committee report deadline on Tuesday, January 30th and the Senate committee report deadline on Thursday, February 1st. Bills that are not adopted before the deadline are considered dead. However, the language in those bills can be amended into other pieces of legislation.  

I am happy to report that HB 1162 was reported unanimously out of committee this week. This bill is IPGA’s top legislative priority for 2024. IPGA inserted language that would permit an 18+ year old to obtain a HAZMAT endorsement for driving intrastate routes. Indiana would become the sixth state nationally to adopt this policy. The IPGA hopes this will allow our industry to target drivers at a younger age and bring them into the industry as soon as possible. 

An array of topics have been covered in this self-proclaimed noncontroversial session. HB 1383, this year’s legislation concerning wetlands, has faced opposition from Representatives that believe new definitions in the bill may lead to further desecration of the state’s wetlands. HB 1001, the education bill that allows state funded scholarships to be used for job training programs and requires schools to report performance data, has passed onto the Senate. The Senate amended SB 14, which would allow certain state employees to be able to carry guns in the capitol, and SB 189, which allows the use of drones to recover any legally taken game animal during this week’s sessions. Both bills will be up for a third reading on the Senate floor next week. 

 for the specific bills being followed by the IPGA. 

The 2024 IPGA membership dues notices will be mailed out next week. Simply fill out the payment information, make any needed changes to the contact information, and return to us. You are also able to pay dues directly online, if you prefer. We ask that you also review the enclosed contact sheet for your company, make any needed changes and send it to the IPGA. This will assist us in keeping our membership information up to date.

If you have any question or concerns about your 2024 renewal, please feel free to contact Trina Miller in the IPGA office at 317-655-4444 and she will be happy to assist you with you questions.

On January 17, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in two blockbuster cases (Loper Bright Enterprises, Inc. v. Raimondo and Relentless, Inc. v. Department of Commerce) concerning whether to overturn the case Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council, which held that courts should defer to an agency’s reasonable interpretation of an ambiguous statute. This Chevron doctrine gives agencies broad and often effectively unchecked power to interpret Congressional statutes and issue regulations. If Chevron is overturned, the ruling will have broad ripple effects across the federal government and potentially open up new avenues toward challenging federal agency action. NPGA’s legal team will continue to monitor these and other cases challenging agency actions. A decision in Loper and Relentless will likely come at the end of June 2024. Questions? Contact Director of Regulatory Affairs and Associate General Counsel Kate Gaziano. 

The EPA extended the deadline for applications for the 2023 Clean School Bus Rebates Program. Applications are now due February 14 at 4PM ET. 

$500 million dollars in funding is available through the Clean School Bus Rebates Program which aims to incentivize and accelerate the replacement of existing school buses with clean school buses, including propane buses. Propane buses are eligible for up to $35,000 per bus. 

Applications will be accepted from state and local governmental entities that provide bus service. School bus dealers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), school bus service providers, and private school bus fleets that meet specified criteria are eligible contractors. 

The 2023 Clean School Bus (CSB) Rebates process includes SAM.gov account registration, rebate application submission, and review and selection by EPA. Selectees will then submit purchase orders to request payment and then receive payment, which is followed by new bus delivery, existing bus replacement, and project close out. The program guidance and application process differ from prior EPA school bus rebate programs. View the summary of program requirements and the detailed Program Guide. 

Questions? Consult your NPGA member dashboard for an FAQ about the rebate program, a template letter to send to eligible entities, or contact NPGA Director of Regulatory Affairs Kate Gaziano. 

The Indiana, Michigan and Ohio Propane Gas Associations have teamed up again to offer you a discounted advertising rate for their 2024 publications. This new bundled rate includes advertising in Indiana’s Propane Express and Annual Member Directory, Michigan’s Propane Journal, and Ohio’s Ohio Propane News. That’s 9 publications that your ad will appear in throughout the year in 3 different states! The best part is, you can secure your ad space in all 9 publications with just one, quick online form. Take advantage of this exciting new opportunity today!

Registration is now OPEN for the 2024 Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo™. Expo brings together marketers and suppliers from across the United States and beyond. Don’t miss this opportunity to get down to business with more than 4,000 members of the propane industry! 

This year we're revving up with a new city, new days, and new prices! The 2024 Expo will be held at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, Friday, April 5 – Sunday, April 7. We now offer Full Conference & Expo packages or Exhibit Hall Only options, for all member types. While there are price increases for regular and onsite registration, if you take advantage of Early Bird prices, you’ll pay the same rates as you did in 2023. Simply register by February 2, 2024 to save! 

Reserve your accommodations only through EventSphere, the official housing provider for the 2024 Expo™. The NPGA room block is available until March 8, 2024. Book early for the best selection!

The information contained herein is provided as a service by the Indiana Propane Gas Association (IPGA) for the purpose of education, communication, and information and IPGA accepts no liability relative to the contents, accuracy or use of these services. Nothing in this publication is intended to be construed as legal advice. The user is strictly cautioned to seek legal assistance when attempting to determine any legal rights, responsibilities and procedures with respect to business affairs, coding, or other legal aspects of operating a propane company. IPGA disclaims any and all liability for injury and/or other damages which result to a user from the material offered or discussed herein.



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Indiana Propane Gas Association

317.655.4444