MEMBERS ONLY NEWS

February 23, 2026

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 association highlights a management training opportunity that only happens twice a year.

In the second story, we outline preliminary details of new fees affecting a segment of the Texas propane industry.

Third, check out the most recent updates on the ever‑changing tariff landscape.

Additionally, be sure to review an important deadline coming up this Friday and what you need to do to keep your member benefits.

We also hope you will join us next week in Kerrville, TX, for our March Board & Committee Meetings.

Finally, do not forget to check out our Quick Links for fast access to propane prices and our compliance store, where members get up to 30% off—and don’t forget our Texas Duty to Warn Program.

Limited Space Left in the
Category E Management Course

The Category E Management Course is an 80-hour course held twice a year by the Railroad Commission of Texas. The course consists of two week-long sessions and will be conducted as an interactive Zoom-based class, with exams administered online on the last day. The first week will be held March 9–13, and the second week will be held March 23–27. Exams will take place online on March 27, 2026.

This 80-hour course covers all the material in Courses 2.1, 2.3, 3.2, 3.3, 3.8, and 3.11 of the Railroad Commission LP-Gas Safety Rules, as well as National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 54 (National Fuel Gas Code) and NFPA 58 (LP-Gas Code). All new Category E certification applicants must complete this course. Online exams will be administered on March 27, 2026, and only course attendees may take the exam.

New Propane Community System Fees

Effective February 25, 2026

The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) formally adopted amendments to 16 TAC §8.201 as published in the February 20, 2026, Texas Register to implement House Bill 4042, 89th Legislature, Regular Session (2025). The rule becomes effective February 25, 2026.

The amendments were originally published as a proposed rule in the November 14, 2025, Texas Register for public comment.

Legislative Origin – HB 4042 (89th Legislature, 2025)

HB 4042 removed the word “natural” from the statute so that propane community systems are now subject to the same pipeline safety oversight and regulatory fee structure as natural gas systems. As a result, propane distribution and master-meter systems are now included in the annual pipeline safety fee assessment.

The adopted amendments to 16 TAC §8.201 formally extend existing fee requirements to propane community systems.

Fee Structure for Propane Systems (Now Effective)

· $1.00 per service line for propane distribution systems

· $100 per master-meter system annually

· 10% late fee if not paid within 30 days of the due date.

· One-time customer surcharge allowed to recover the fee (capped at $1.00 per service line)

· Required post-billing report to the RRC detailing surcharge amounts, dates billed, and total recovered

TPGA has requested an implementation plan from the Railroad Commission of Texas. TPGA will circle back when it knows more.

Liberation Tariffs Struck Down
by Supreme Court; White House Imposes Temporary 10% Import Duty

Last Friday morning, on February 20th, the United States Supreme Court struck down President Trump’s Liberation Day Tariffs, covering all country-level and reciprocal tariffs that had been implemented under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The decision did not impact “sector-level” tariffs such as those on steel, aluminum, autos, and auto parts, which were imposed under an alternate authority. February 20, 2026: US Supreme Court Decision on IEEPA Tariffs

Late Friday night, February 20, President Trump issued a new Executive Order, invoking section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, imposing a 10% ad valorem import duty on articles imported into the United States for a period of 150 days. The temporary import duty will take effect February 24 at 12:01 am EST.

Certain goods are exempt from the 10% duty, including energy and energy products as well as certain light, medium, and heavy duty vehicles. Additionally, the following are not subject to the temporary import duties: USMCA exempt goods from Canada and Mexico (including propane from Canada) and goods such as steel, aluminum, autos, and auto parts that are already subject to “sector level” tariffs.

A summary is set forth in this White House Fact Sheet: Fact Sheet: Temporary 10% Import Duty

The Executive Order ending IEEPA tariffs is located here: Executive Order Rescinding IEEPA Tariffs

The Executive Order imposing temporary 10% import duties is available here: Executive Order Imposing Temporary 10% Import Duties

NPGA will continue to monitor development and encourages members to visit NPGA’s comprehensive tariffs portal (member access only): Tariffs Information | National Propane Gas Association (must login with NPGA member login).

For questions, please contact NPGA’s President & CEO, Stephen Kaminski.