The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a temporary hours-of-service (HOS) waiver for interstate drivers transporting gasoline and diesel fuel. Effective September 16 through December 16, 2026, the waiver provides additional flexibility amid global fuel supply disruptions and increased seasonal demand. This relief may benefit TPGA members who transport diesel fuel in addition to propane. Under the waiver, eligible drivers may operate under modif

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has implemented significant changes to its DataQs system, giving motor carriers and commercial drivers a more transparent and structured process for disputing inaccurate federal safety records. Effective September 18, 2026, the updated system introduces new review deadlines, independent oversight, and website improvements designed to make it easier to challenge incorrect or incomplete crash and roadside inspection info

Does your company have a compliant 24-hour emergency response number?  For the last 23 years, TPGA has partnered with Professional Emergency Resource Services (PERS) to give members access to professional 24-hour emergency response services at a significantly discounted rate. Under 49 CFR § 172.604, companies offering hazardous materials for transportation must provide an emergency response telephone number on shipping papers. Under DOT regulations, the number must be moni

The Railroad Commission of Texas’ Alternative Fuel Safety (AFS) division is undergoing some staffing changes. TPGA members should be aware of the following departures and current points of contact for licensing, compliance, training and inspections. Alternative Fuel Safety Departures Adam Rodriguez, Inspector Manager, retired from the Alternative Fuel Safety division on August 31, 2026. Karley Rudynski, Director of Alternative Fuel Safety, has accepted another position an

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has finalized HM-268D, allowing carriers and facility operators to maintain required emergency response information electronically beginning September 3, 2026. The change provides the option to use mobile devices, applications, and other digital resources instead of relying solely on paper copies. While the rule provides greater flexibility, emergency response information must still be readily accessible whe

Operation Slowdown is a statewide traffic safety campaign led by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) in partnership with state and local law enforcement agencies. Running July 18–August 2, the initiative combines public awareness with increased speed enforcement to reduce crashes caused by excessive speed. During the campaign, motorists can expect to see additional officers on Texas roadways enforcing posted speed limits while encouraging drivers to slow down and d

The propane industry should alert drivers that Operation Safe Driver Week will take place July 12–18, 2026, with increased traffic enforcement targeting both commercial motor vehicle and passenger vehicle drivers. During the annual campaign, law enforcement officers will be watching for unsafe driving behaviors such as speeding, distracted driving, following too closely, improper lane changes, seat belt violations, and other traffic offenses. Drivers who commit violations m

Each year, propane retail and wholesale companies must register annually with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) if they transport or offer shipments of hazardous materials that require placarding. Registration Period The 2026–2027 registration year is July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Registration Fees · Small businesses & non-profits: $250 + $25 processing fee · All other businesses: $2,575 + $25 processing fee Small Business

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announces changes to the state’s commercial driver license (CDL) testing process. Effective June 1, 2026, all Texas CDL and commercial learner permit (CLP) knowledge examinations will be administered in English only. This change aligns Texas’ testing procedures with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) English language proficiency requirements and will help ensure that all newly licensed commercial drivers hav

The Railroad Commission has updated the rule book to reflect the new Military Fee Exemption. As a result, a new volume has been released.  Military Fee Exemption for Certification Applicants Military service members, military veterans, and military spouses may qualify for a Military Fee Exemption, which waives certification-related examination registration fees. To receive the exemption: Complete and submit Application for Military Fee Exemption (Form 35). The application m

As a reminder, on March 4, 2026, David Collett of Gas & Supply in Mineola, Texas, was unanimously nominated by the Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA) Board to serve as the NPGA State Director for Texas on the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) Board of Directors—a role that also includes a position on the TPGA Board. David Collett began his career in the propane industry in 1972, while in high school, working for his grandfather, A.O. Mallory, founder of Mallory’s Prop

The U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) recently issued an interpretive letter clarifying how the materials of trade (MOT) exception in 49 CFR §173.6 applies to propane cylinders carried in commercial motor vehicles. The guidance was issued in response to a request from Dead River Company regarding service technicians who transport small propane cylinders in company vehicles while performing appliance service work. PHMSA explained that when a t

As a reminder, propane companies must register their LPG meters and scales annually with the Weights & Measures Department of the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). Obtaining a Weights and Measures License is a Two-Step Process Step 1 A commercial weighing or measuring device must be placed into service by a licensed service technician who is employed by a licensed service company. The process of placing a device into service includes the installation and calibration of

Beginning this March, a RAMP Organization Delegated Administrator (Admin) will be able to finalize registrations on behalf of their employees. Previously, Organization Admins were able to register an Employee, and then the Employee was required to log in to their AFOS account to finalize the registration. With this change, the Admin will be able to register the Employee and also finalize the registration on behalf of the Employee. The Employee will still be able to final

As a TPGA member benefit, the Railroad Commission of Texas provides participating TPGA member companies with expedited inspection reports by email. This courtesy service allows propane marketers to receive inspection results quickly and address any compliance items without delay. Reports are often received the same day, and at the latest within the week. Important: Only one primary contact per company may receive the emailed inspection reports. Not receiving same-day ins

Texas lawmakers passed HB 2844 – the Mobile Food Vendor Freedom Act to create a statewide licensing system for mobile food vendors administered by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). The law is intended to eliminate the patchwork of local permitting requirements by establishing one statewide license and inspection framework. To implement the law, DSHS is proposing new rules for mobile food vendors, including provisions addressing propane systems used on food

The Texas Propane Gas Association held its Q1 Board & Committee Meetings on March 3-4, 2026, in Kerrville. Below are some regulatory updates from the meeting: Technical & Standards The Technical & Standards Committee met to discuss new rule adoptions and the Texas Department of State Health Services' food truck rule proposal. The Railroad Commission reports that it will work with its legal department to take a stand that it is the authority having jurisdiction over propane a

The Railroad Commission of Texas adopted amendments to 16 TAC §8.201, as published in the February 20, 2026, Texas Register. The rulemaking stems from HB 4042 (89th Legislature, 2025), which removed the word “natural” from the statute, thereby placing propane community systems under the same pipeline safety and regulatory fee structure as natural gas systems. The amendments were originally proposed for public comment on November 14, 2025, and are now formally subjecting propa

Texas propane retailers and bulk storage facilities are reminded to submit their Texas Tier II hazardous chemical inventory reports each year if propane is stored above federal reporting thresholds. Required under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and administered in Texas by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Tier II reporting applies to facilities that meet or exceed the reporting trigger at any time during the calendar year.

On February 3, 2026, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) extended the 40-State Regional Emergency Declaration, determining that the emergency conditions related to recent winter storms remain in effect. This Emergency Declaration provides hours-of-service (HOS) relief from certain requirements in Part 395 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for motor carriers transporting essential commodities, including propane, to customers in affect