MEMBER ONLY NEWS

April 21, 2025

In Brief

Welcome to this week’s Members-Only Monday Morning Messenger from the Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA).

In our first story of the morning, the Texas Legislature kicked into high gear last week, with several TPGA-tracked bills seeing movement. Read our top story to see what TPGA priority bills are moving.

Calendars

April 21, 2025

May Board Meeting Hotel Reservation Deadline

April 24, 2025

PERC Safety Team Q & A

April 25, 2025

6.1 Regulatory Compliance for Managers - RRC CEU

April 26-28, 2025

Texas Emergency Prep

Tax Holiday

2025 Calendar>

Also inside, we’re looking ahead to Propane Days in Washington, D.C.—find out why Tuesday, June 10 is the biggest day for Texas propane on Capitol Hill and how you can be part of the action.

Plus, the state’s Emergency Preparation Sales Tax Holiday is coming up fast. We’ve outlined what qualifies and how your customers can take advantage.

And don’t forget—the TPGA Board & Committee meetings are just a month away. The agenda is packed, the networking is great, and the hotel deadline is today.

Finally, don’t miss our always-useful Quick Links section, featuring details on the now-open TPGA Scholarship Program, new consumer education tools at the PSC store, our Texas propane job board, and the May 8 LPG Charity Fund Bowling Tournament.

Things Heating Up in the Texas Legislature: TPGA Priority Bills on the Move

Week 14 of the 140-Day Session: Things are heating up at the Capitol. TPGA’s top priority bills saw a whirlwind of action last week. Last week, several key propane industry-related bills advanced in the Texas Legislature. Below is a breakdown of activity:

Retailer Regulation & Compliance

HB 3866 (Landgraf) – Installation & ownership of certain outdoor storage containers

April 17: Reheard in committee again last week. Voted favorably as substituted in the House Environmental Regulation Committee.
TPGA Position: Support (if propane continues to be exempted)

HB 4041 (Morales) – Propane Community System Administrative Penalties

April 14: Heard and voted favorably in House Energy Resources
April 17: Reported favorably from committee.
TPGA Position: Amend-Monitor

HB 4042 (Morales) – New RRC Fees for Propane Communication Systems

April 14: Heard and voted favorably in House Energy Resources
April 17: Reported favorably from committee
TPGA Position: Amend-Monitor

Local Control & State Preemption

HB 2701 (Guillen) – RV Park Construction Standards (including propane storage)

April 14: Reported favorably from House Land & Resource Management
TPGA Position: Amend-Monitor

HB 4283 (LaHood) – Penalties for Cities Violating State Preemption Laws

April 14: Heard in House State Affairs; action pending
TPGA Position: Support

Transportation Safety & Liability

HB 4688 / SB 39 (Leach / Birdwell) – Reform Civil Liability for CMVs

April 16: Both bills voted favorably as substituted from committee.
TPGA Position: Support

Legal Reform

SB 30 (Schwertner) – Limits Excessive Personal Injury Verdicts

April 16: Passed Senate with floor amendments
April 17: Received in the House
TPGA Position: Support

SB 14 (King) – Judicial Review Reform of Agency Rulemaking

April 14: Sent to the Governor
TPGA Position: Support

Vehicle Grants

HB 2546 (Tepper) – Expands Clean School Bus Grant Eligibility

April 16: Reported favorably from House Environmental Regulation
TPGA Position: Support

HB 4400 (Phelan) – Expands SEP Grants to Fund Full Propane Vehicle Costs

April 17: Heard in House Environmental Regulation; action pending
TPGA Position: Support

HB 4519 (Ordaz) – Texas Emission Reduction Plan Grant Consolidation Bill

April 17: Heard in House Environmental Regulation; action pending
TPGA Position: Monitor – Committee substitute impact still being assessed

Look up bills here

TPGA Delegation Returning to the Capitol Hill & You're Invited to Join Us

The Texas Propane Gas Association is heading to Washington, D.C. for Propane Day at the Capitol on Tuesday, June 10, 2025—our big day on the Hill to meet with Congress. Part of a three-day NPGA event (June 8–10) includes the NPGA board meeting, policy briefings, and face-to-face visits with lawmakers, all capped off with a Congressional Reception.

Sunday • June 8

12:30 PM – 5:00 PM | Registration

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | PAC Reception (Ticket Required)

Monday • June 9

7:30 AM – 4:30 PM | Registration

8:15 AM – 9:00 AM | Propane, Politics & Coffee

9:15 AM – 11:30 AM | Marketer & State/District Director Meeting

11:45 AM – 12:15 PM | NPGA Policy Forum

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM | NPGF Scholarship Committee Meeting

12:15 PM – 1:30 PM | Lunch on Your Own

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Guest Speaker Session

2:45 PM – 4:30 PM | NPGA Annual Meeting & Board of Directors Meeting

5:30 PM – 7:00 PM | NPGA Board of Directors Reception

Tuesday • June 10

7:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Registration

7:45 AM – 9:15 AM | Propane Days Welcome Breakfast

8:15 AM – 9:15 AM | NPGA Legislative Briefing

10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Congressional Meetings

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Congressional Reception

Registration. Register today to get the best rate! The early bird registration fee of $129 is available until May 16; the fee increases to $179 on May 17.

Hotel reservations: Book your accommodations at the Hilton Washington DC Capitol Hill Hotel, the headquarters hotel for Propane Days, located at 525 New Jersey Ave, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001.

Click here or contact Hilton reservations directly at 1-800-445-8667 and request the NPGA group rate of $359 single/double occupancy, plus tax. The room block will be available until Thursday, May 15 or until the block is sold out.

Questions? Contact Executive Assistant Nancy Padilla.

Get Ready: Texas Emergency Supplies Sales Tax Holiday Returns April 26-28

Mark your calendars! The Texas Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday runs from April 26–28, 2025, giving your customers the opportunity to stock up on essential emergency supplies tax-free.

Help your customers prepare for hurricane season, wildfires, or flash floods while saving on key items like propane-powered generators and other emergency supplies.

Qualifying Items Include

Under $3,000

Portable generators

Less than $75

Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors
Battery-powered flashlights, lanterns, and radios
Fuel containers (gasoline & diesel)
First aid kits
Fire extinguishers
Coolers, tarps, and anchoring kits

Items That Do Not Qualify

Camping stoves
Camping supplies and tents
Chainsaws and plywood
Extension ladders and stepladders
Repair or replacement parts for emergency supplies
Services related to emergency supplies
Batteries for automobiles, boats, and other motorized vehicles

The number of qualifying items purchased is unlimited, and no exemption certificate is required. Purchases may be made in-store, online, or by phone, but they must be completed within the holiday window to qualify.

For full details and qualifying items, see below

View more details

Questions? Call the Texas Comptroller at 800-252-5555.

Upcoming Events

May 2025 TPGA Board & Committee Meetings Updated Information

You are invited to attend the upcoming meetings on May 20-21, 2025.

Meeting Location & Host Hotel:

Holiday Inn Austin-Town Lake

20 North IH-35

Austin, TX 78701

Walking Distance to Rainey Street Bars

Schedule

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

9:00am - 10:00am - Scholarship Board Meeting 🎓
10:00am - 12:00pm -Legislative Affairs | T & S Committee Meeting
12:00pm - 1:00pm - Southern Cooking Networking Lunch 🍽️
1:30pm-2:30pm - Finance Committee
2:30pm - 3:30pm - Executive Committee
3:30pm - 4:30pm - Supplier Board Elections
5:00pm - Happy Hour
6:00pm - Dinner at Scholz's Beer Garden 🍻 🍽️

About Dinner Venue

Established in 1866, Scholz's is the oldest continuously operating beer garden in the United States.

It is the oldest continuously operating business in Texas.

What's on the menu?

Salad, Brisket & Rib, German Potato Salad, & German Chocolate Cakes

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

9:00am – 11:00am TPGA Board Meeting

What’s on the TPGA Board Agenda:

Update from the Railroad Commission
Legislative session wrap-up: which bills survived, which are still in play, and which are on the chopping block
Scholarship updates
And more!