MEMBER ONLY NEWS

March 10, 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, get an update and new insights on the proposed Texas propane notification bill.

Calendars

March 9-12, 2025

OPIS NGL Summit

March 10-12, 2025

NPGA Spring Technology, Standards & Safety Committee Meeting

March 13-14, 2025

NPGA Benchmarking Spring Meeting

March 21, 2025

Texas Clean Fleet Program (TCFP) Grant Deadline

more dates>

Next, there's a major change regarding BOI reporting—last week, we shared that reports were due by March 21, 2025, but that requirement has now been lifted. Find out what this means for your business in our second story.

Missed last week’s board meeting? Catch up with a full recap from San Antonio in our third feature.

The state has also established its own Texas DOGE, and the governor has called staff back to the office. Learn more about these developments in our final story.

Plus, be sure to check out our Featured Grants section for funding opportunities, including support for propane-powered fleet transitions.

Don’t forget to explore our Quick Links, where you’ll find weekly propane price updates, the Propane Service Corporation store, the GeneratioNext job board, and access to the PERC Learning Center.

Texas SB 290 Propane Notification Legislation Advances

Filed on the first day of pre-filing late last year, Texas Senate Bill 290, authored by Sen. Borris Miles (D-Houston), requires applicants to notify nearby property owners within 500 feet of new or modified stationary LP-gas installations with an aggregate water capacity of 10,000 gallons or more.

While the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) already has a rule requiring notification of nearby property owners, this bill aims to modify key aspects of the process, as discussed in last week's hearing of the Texas Senate Natural Resources Committee, chaired by Sen. Brian Birdwell.

Key Changes in the Proposed Law:

Limits notification to mail only
Requires retention of proof of notice for a period set by the RRC

This legislation was introduced at the request of residents in Houston’s Southwest Crossing neighborhood, where a 300,000-gallon propane installation for natural gas peak shaving was constructed in 2021.

During the testimony, some citizens advocated for expanding the notification radius to one mile and providing notices in multiple languages. However, the bill passed favorably out of committee as written without these additional provisions.

TPGA will closely monitor the progression of this legislation to ensure that unfavorable amendments—such as those proposed during testimony—are not added to the bill.

Read SB 290

Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Reporting Deadlines, Fines & Penalties are CANCELED

To follow up on last week's Messenger story, the BOI reporting requirements were removed just as quickly as they were reinstated.

Last week, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that it will not enforce any fines or penalties related to beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting under current regulatory deadlines.

Additionally, it stated that no penalties or fines will be imposed on U.S. citizens, domestic reporting companies, or their beneficial owners once upcoming rule changes take effect.

The Treasury also revealed plans to issue a proposed rule that would limit BOI reporting requirements to foreign reporting companies.

For now, reporting entities are not required to meet the March 21 BOI reporting deadline. A revised deadline will be announced by that date, and further updates will be provided as they become available.

TPGA March Meetings See Record Attendance

The Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA) saw record-breaking attendance at its Q1 meetings in San Antonio. The event featured a packed agenda, beginning with committee meetings, a Lunch & Learn on cybersecurity, and a member dinner at Viola’s Ventanas.

Throughout the meetings, TPGA addressed key industry topics, including:

Legislative Priorities: A review of the top bills from the hundreds the association is tracking, from food trucks to proposed Texas commercial motor vehicle laws to curb nuclear verdicts.
Cylinder Sales Requirements: A discussion on the proposed adoption of a flat-fee pricing model for cylinders of 101 lbs. or less.
Code Compliance: Efforts to educate the industry on the risks associated with PEX-AL-PEX piping.
Regulatory Updates: The Railroad Commission (RRC)'s Alternative Fuels Safety (AFS) Director Karley Bisbano provided an update on recent RRC developments. Meeting attendees also engaged in an open discussion, requesting additional bobtail and service/installation training courses.
Federal Affairs: NPGA Chairman and NPGA Legislative Affairs Manager shared updates on tariffs (steel & aluminum), executive orders, federal legislation, rulemaking, code changes, and upcoming NPGA events, like the NPGA Southeastern Expo.
PERC Update: The NPGA provided updates from the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) on its online PEP training program for propane employees and newly updated consumer education resources available to the industry.
Young Professionals Council (YPC): NPGA also provided an update on the YPC, a new council launched last year for propane industry professionals under 40. Attendees were encouraged to share this opportunity with their employees. Follow YPC on their new Instagram page.
Membership Growth: The Membership Committee explored strategies to attract and engage more propane marketers.
Conference Planning: The Convention Planning Committee provided an update on the 2025 Crossroads Expo & Conference, scheduled for August 7-9, 2025, in Galveston, TX, and decided on a Jimmy Buffett theme.

Our next meeting will be May 20-21, 2025 in Austin, TX.

Texas DOGE & Governor Calls on State Workers to Return to Office

Texas DOGE

Texas lawmakers are taking a page out of the federal government's playbook with the newly launched Texas House Delivery of Government Efficiency (DOGE) committee. Led by Committee Chair Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, DOGE aims to tackle waste, fraud, and inefficiency within state agencies. While Capriglione emphasizes a thoughtful approach to government reform—sometimes using a "scalpel" and other times a "sledgehammer"—his committee will work closely with state agencies to recommend funding cuts and identify areas for improvement.

The Texas House Committee on Delivery of Government Efficiency comprises the following 13 state representatives:

Chair: Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake)
Vice Chair: Rep. Salman Bhojani (D-Euless)
Members:
Rep. Daniel Alders (R-Tyler)
Rep. Rhetta Andrews Bowers (D-Rowlett)
Rep. Briscoe Cain (R-Deer Park)
Rep. Liz Campos (D-San Antonio)
Rep. David Cook (R-Mansfield)
Rep. Pat Curry (R-Waco)
Rep. Linda Garcia (D-Mesquite)
Rep. Mike Olcott (R-Aledo)
Rep. Ana-María Rodríguez Ramos (D-Richardson)
Rep. Tony Tinderholt (R-Arlington)
Rep. Ellen Troxclair (R-Lakeway)

Return to Work

In addition to streamlining government functions, Texas is following a broader trend with Governor Abbott's recent directive requiring all state employees to return to the office five days a week. This move mirrors President Trump's push for federal workers to resume in-person work.

As Texas embarks on these initiatives, DOGE's dual efforts and the return-to-office mandate reflect a broader commitment to refining the state’s government operations.

Featured Grant: Texas Clean Fleet Program (TCFP) Grant Closing Soon

TCEQ is offering $16 million in grants to help Texas fleets replace aging diesel vehicles with propane or alternative fuel models, covering up to 80% of costs.

Who Can Apply?

Own and operate a fleet of 75 or more on-road vehicles in Texas.
Apply to replace at least 10 of those vehicles with new hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles powered by propane or other alternative fuels.

Eligible Projects