TPGA Monday Morning Messenger March 29, 2021

March 29, 2021

In Brief

Texas is in the midst of a busy legislative session. Although lawmakers' focal point seems to resolve the power grid failure that occurred this past February, there is a slew of bills making it to a committee hearing.

In this issue of the Monday Morning Messenger, the Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA) TPGA highlights two of those pieces of Texas Legislation.

TPGA is closely monitoring that had a hearing this last week. Learn more about this bill that aims to curb local overreach in our first story of the morning.

Check out an update on the CSST disclosure bill we've previously reported on.

Also, the American Rescue Plan does not only include a stimulus component, but the federal legislation helped to add more funding to utility assistance programs across the country. Learn more in our third story of the morning.

Winter is now in the rearview mirror and as we move into spring. You may be looking for a way to increase your off-season gallons. Read our last story of the day on how to get on the state bid list.

As always, check out our Quick Links section for access to tomorrow's upcoming committee & board meeting information; shopping at Propane Service Corporation, a propane pricing & supply update, and a link to our program to help you save on top commercial fleet tire brands.

In this issue

In Brief
Local Overreach
Seller's Disclosure
Energy Assistance
Get on State Bid List
Quick Links

Calendar

March 30, 2021

TPGA Board &

Committee Meetings

Buckholts, TX

March 31, 2021

Extended Hours of Service

Extension Expires

March 31, 2021

Paycheck Protection Program

Application Deadline

March 31, 2021

Green School Bus Award

Nominations

April 1, 2021

Texas Tier II Reports Due

April 1-30, 2021

RRC Training & Exams

April 2, 2021

Good Friday

TPGA Office is Closed

Legislation to Protect State Licensees from Local Overreach

This is Rep. Valoree Swanson's second session to try to get HB 610 passed which was heard last week in the House Committee on Judiciary& Civil Jurisprudence. The proposed house bill would provide a remedy to ensure that a state license holder has the right to engage in an occupation or business activity authorized by and regulated under state law without burdensome or inconsistent local ordinances and regulation of the state license holder's occupation or lawful business activities.

Swanson said some local regulations are just for revenue generation and nothing else.

Under the proposed bill, if a local government (e.g., city or county) imposes restrictions on, or otherwise regulates the occupation or business activity of the license holder in a manner that is more stringent than the requirements, restrictions, and regulations imposed on the license holder under state law then any state license holder (whether it be a plumber, HVAC contractor or even propane marketer) could bring action against the locality in court.

Although we have our state standardization law adopted in 2011 with HB 2663, bills like these further strengthen, the state's preemption and authority.

The City of Garland, City of Dallas, and the City of San Antonio and opponents testified saying the bill was too broad and would have a negative impact financially on cities.

TPGA will update members if this additional protection gets adopted.

CSST Disclosure Bill Resolved

The Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA) previously reported on Texas House Bill 1993 by Rep. Justin Holland of Rockwall included discriminatory language on corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST).

The bill amends the disclosure that a homeowner selling their house to include what type of piping the house contained and added that lightning strike could result in the release of gas from CSST.

Texas House Business & Industry committee hearing, Rep. Holland announced that he would remove the discriminatory language to get the bill passed, which has been 3 years in the making over 2 sessions. The new language will only disclose the different piping installed within the house.

Rep. Holland also clarified he would not distinguish the different colors of CSST and remove those color references.

The bill was left pending and more than likely will be taken up at next week's business and industry committee hearing as pending business.

$4.5B More Funds at to Energy Assistance Program

The American Rescue Plan signed by President Biden earlier this month approves $4.5 billion in additional funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help ensure the program has sufficient funding to meet demand.

Increased LIHEAP funding has been a priority for the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA).

A portion of those funds will go to the Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs who manages the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program in Texas.

LINK TO TEXAS PROGRAM

Get on the State Bid List

Texas state agency offices all over Texas need propane in their operations from the Texas Department of Agriculture to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Have you ever wondered how to get on their bid list?

If you were on the bid list, has your account gone inactive? Renew.

Texas propane retailers wishing to furnish propane to the state should register for the Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL) through Comptroller's Office to receive bidding opportunities.

To register, complete the application and submit a $70 annual fee.