View as Webpage

MEMBER ONLY NEWS

May 12, 2025

Calendars

May 13-15, 2025

International Roadcheck

May 15, 2025

Propane Sales Report Due

May 20-21, 2025

TPGA Board & Committee Meetings 

May 24, 2025

TPGA Scholarship Deadline

May 26, 2025

TPGA Closed for Memorial Day

Next, one of the most intense roadside events of the year is back. We break down what inspectors are zeroing in on and what you should double-check before hitting the road.

Our third story highlights a new rule that could sideline drivers in an unexpected way. Don’t get caught off guard.

Also, a fast-approaching deadline could affect how much funding Texas receives for key programs. Learn what’s at stake—and how you can make a difference with just one step.

And don’t miss the details on our upcoming Board & Committee Meetings. From venue perks to agenda previews, we’ve got everything you need to plan ahead.

Finally, don’t miss our Quick Links section, where you’ll find helpful updates on the latest propane prices, new member savings on consumer education materials, job board postings, and the TPGA Scholarship Program.

After years of discussion, big changes are coming to how medical certifications are handled for Commercial Driver License (CDL) and Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) holders. Starting June 23, 2025, Texas DPS and all state licensing agencies must be connected to the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME) for electronic medical certification updates.

Key Changes for CDL Drivers:

• Elimination of Paper Submissions: CDL drivers will no longer be required to submit their medical certification certificates to their State Driver's License Office. Medical Examiners will submit certifications directly to the NRCME database. The DPS system will be updated within 72 hours of submission.
• MVR as Official Record: The driver's Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) will reflect the medical certification status, eliminating the need for drivers to carry paper copies of their Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC).
• There is no need to verify the examiner's NRCME status: Carriers no longer have to confirm whether a medical examiner was listed on NRCME during the exam.

Until June 23, 2025, CDL drivers should continue to follow the current paper submission process.

This Week: May 13-15, 2025 What CDL Drivers Need to Know About Roadside Enforcement Event

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA)’s annual International Roadcheck is this week. Over 72 hours, May 13-15, 2025, inspectors across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico will stop thousands of commercial vehicles for surprise safety checks.

Drivers should be prepared for:

Driver Inspection Focus

·    Review your Record of Duty Status (RODS) — ensure it’s complete, accurate, and up-to-date.

·    Have your CDL, medical examiner certificate (not changed yet), and (if applicable) skill performance certificate on hand.

·    Be aware of your Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse status.

🛞 Vehicle Inspection Focus: Tires

·    Check tire tread depth, pressure, and overall condition.

·    Inspect for cuts, bulges, leaks, and tread separation.

·    Ensure all tires are properly repaired and mounted.

Vehicles passing inspection without critical violations may receive a CVSA decal valid for three months.

💡 Pro Tip: Stay inspection-ready year-round. Don’t let a paperwork error or worn tire take your truck out of service!

TPGA encourages members to double-check logs, prep vehicles, and coach drivers in advance. Safety—and keeping your rig on the road—starts with preparation.

CVSA Adds English Proficiency Rule to Driver Out-of-Service Criteria

Effective June 25, commercial drivers in the U.S. who cannot speak and read English well enough to respond to safety officials or understand road signs may now be placed out of service.

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) updated its North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria to include non-compliance with 49 CFR 391.11(b)(2), following an Executive Order from President Trump. This regulation requires drivers to understand English to communicate with the public, follow road signs, respond to officials, and complete records.

CVSA made the change under emergency procedures to meet a 60-day deadline set by the executive order. FMCSA will issue enforcement guidance to ensure inspectors apply the rule consistently.

CVSA is also petitioning FMCSA to:

• Recognize lack of English proficiency as an official out-of-service violation.
• Align English language requirements in CDL standards (Part 383) with driver qualification rules (Part 391).

Each spring, the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) requests data collected on propane sales for the preceding year.

This critical data is not only used by PERC to analyze which areas they should spend funds on, but it also dictates how much state associations/foundations like the Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) receive for state programs and projects.

Not reporting hurts the Propane Council of Texas and affects its ability to implement programs like the Duty to Warn Safety Mailing Program and the Safety Tip Wall Calendar.

Report today! The deadline is this week, May 15, 2025.

Here is the updated list of those who have reported as of today. Not on the list? Then PERC has not yet received your report.

Thank you to the above companies for reporting.

Report now. Click below button and login to access the sales report.

Questions? Call PERC at 202-452-8975 or email salesreport@propane.com.

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 🍻 🍽️ 

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!

• 11:30am - 2:00pm ProCOT Board Meeting (includes working lunch)

Attendance

The TPGA Board & Committee Meetings are OPEN TO ALL TPGA MEMBERS. 

An RSVP IS REQUIRED so we can accommodate adequate seating and space.

Questions? Contact our Meetings Manager, Christie Shook at 1-800-325-7427 ext 6 or at cshook@txpropane.com.

Apply for a TPGA Scholarship Children, grandchildren, & student employees invited to apply.

TPGA members can $AVE up to 30% on items at PSC Members login, shop & save

Post jobs or search CDL, service tech, and other candidates now at our Texas Job Board

REGISTER for the 2025 Crossroads Propane Expo & Conference

REGISTRATION OPEN

TEXAS PROPANE GAS ASSOCIATION

8408 North Interstate 35​

Austin, TX 78753

Email: info@txpropane.com

Tel: 800-325-7427

Fax: 1-512-834-0758

FOLLOW US ON:

HOURS OF OPERATION:

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Monday - Friday