Join the Movement: Legislative Coalition Rallies for Tort Reform

The Texas Propane Gas Association, in partnership with groups like the Texas Trucking Association and Texas Food & Fuel Association, is part of the Lone Star Economic Alliance (LSEA), formerly Keep Texas Truckin’. Administered by Texans for Lawsuit Reform (TLR), LSEA unites businesses to urge the Legislature to end costly, unnecessary, job-killing lawsuits (not just on-road) that drive up costs for businesses and consumers.

Plaintiff attorneys often mislead juries with inflated claims, leading to skyrocketing liability insurance costs—up 26 consecutive quarters—and unaffordable premiums. Texas has seen more "nuclear verdicts" (exceeding $10 million) than any other state, costing businesses over $45 billion from 2009 to 2023.

A recent report found that over a quarter of Texas business owners rank liability insurance costs as a top challenge. 100’s of employers are joining LSEA to protect their businesses and advocate for reform.

LSEA membership is FREE. Learn more or join LSEA at www.lseatx.com.

On the tort reform legislative agenda for this legislative session:

1.     Problem: A late amendment to 2021’s HB 19, intended to curb CMV lawsuit abuse, diverged from longstanding Texas CMV law, limiting its utility.

Solution: Remove the TX HB 19 compromising amendment added in 2021.

2.     Problem: Artificially inflated medical bills feed nuclear verdicts

Solution: Medical Bill Transparency. Stop inflated medical bills in lawsuits by requiring lawyer-healthcare provider agreement disclosures and use realistic payment benchmarks.

3.     Problem: Plaintiff’s lawyers regularly abuse noneconomic damages

Solution: Implement a fair and consistent way to award noneconomic damages

Whether you join LSEA or not, TPGA will keep you informed of LSEA’s initiatives, but there is strength in numbers.

Last year, the Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) mailed out over 300,000 propane safety brochures to Texas consumers.

To accommodate the high volume of mailings during the fourth-quarter heating season, registrations must be submitted by December 4, 2024, in order to be sent out by the end of 2024.

Cost to Participate:

•            $38 fulfillment fee per year

•            9.5 cents per address fee

Formal registration is required to participate. Do not email lists.

Program Details:

1.          Registration: Visit www.procot.org/dutytowarn to sign up and upload list.

2.          Mailing list: Upload your customer list in .csv or .xlsx format.

3.          Processing: Your registration and list will be sent to our mail house.

4.          Confirmation: You'll receive an email confirmation upon successful registration.

5.          Customization: Your company name will be printed on the brochure.

6.          Mailing: Brochures will be mailed to your Texas customers within 30 days.

7.          Verification: You'll receive a postage receipt and a notarized affidavit confirming completion.

The program is first come, first served, while inventory is available.

On November 15, 2024, a federal court in Texas struck down a recent U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) rule that would have significantly increased the salary threshold for exempt employees.

Had the rule not been overturned, employers would have been required to:

• Pay a higher minimum salary: Starting July 1, 2024, the minimum salary for exempt employees increased from $684/week to $844/week.
• Implement future salary increases: The rule mandated further increases to $1,128/week on January 1, 2025, and automatic increases every three years thereafter.

The Impact of the Court's Ruling

The court's decision prevents these salary increases, meaning the minimum salary for exempt employees will remain at $684/week.

TPGA will continue to keep members abreast of workforce-related rules, regs, and laws.

Traditional electric heat pumps struggle in cold weather, causing higher electric demand and inconsistent heat. The Heat Pump Helper™ uses hybrid technology to boost efficiency, reduce costs, and improve comfort.

Through the Heat Pump Helper Personal Use Program for propane industry employees, you can receive up to $1,600 for installing a Heat Pump Helper in your own home. You'll also get free training, special pricing, and a $1,600 rebate; the interest form takes less than 2 minutes to complete.

To participate in the $1,600 rebate program for Texas propane employees:

1. Complete the HPS Interest Form
2. Fill out the 2024 Personal Use Program Order Form
3. Attend a FREE online training session.
4. Complete the PERC Survey after installation and the short rebate reimbursement form.

The deadline for interest forms is November 30, 2024.

The product order deadline is December 31, 2024. All installations must be complete by January 15, 2024. No exceptions.

Recognize outstanding colleagues for their accomplishments in the propane industry – nominations are now open for the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA)’s four prestigious awards!

• Distinguished Service Award is awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to NPGA or the propane industry. 
• State Director of the Year Award recognizes the NPGA State Director deemed outstanding in three principal areas: communicating with members in his/her state, working with NPGA committees, and attending both national and state meetings.
• NPGA Safety Award is bestowed upon individuals, companies, or branches of larger firms that have made extraordinary contributions to industry safety through public or community education, hazardous materials training and support, or employee training.
• Bill Hill Award is presented to an NPGA member who has made significant contributions to the propane industry in the area of public affairs at the national, state, or local level.

Nominations are due to Brett Gold at bgold@npga.org by December 1, 2024.

EPA Clean School Bus Grant

Deadline is January 9, 2025

TCEQ NGV Grant (includes LPG)

Deadline is March 4, 2025

Check out November 20, 2024 

Weekly Propane Prices, Supply, NOAA Forecast & Heating Degree Days

Shop business forms and other compliance items at

Propane Service Corporation (PSC), Your One-Stop Shop

Review 450 TX Job Candidates,

Post a Job or Participate in an Outreach Session. It's FREE.

Access Nextgenpropane.com

Missed an issue? Catch up on industry-wide stories in our monthly magazine. Check out our magazine archives.