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

On January 22, 2026, Governor Greg Abbott issued a State of Disaster due to severe winter weather. As a result, the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) is allowing individual, case-by-case regulatory waivers for propane and alternative fuels operations. These waivers are not automatic. Companies and individuals must submit a request to the RRC. Who Can Request a Waiver This applies to any RRC-regulated licensee or certified individual, not just transport companies, including t

In addition to the 5-day, statewide hours-of-service waiver issued yesterday by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a separate 14-day emergency declaration this afternoon covering 40 states, including Texas . This federal Emergency Declaration provides relief from federal hours-of-service requirements for the transportation of essential commodities, including propane, to customers in affected states i

TPGA is still assessing the Governor’s Disaster Proclamation and details on which areas it will cover. In the meantime, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has declared an emergency, allowing certain exemptions from 49 CFR Parts 390–399 in response to TPGA’s request related to extreme cold and anticipated inclement weather. This emergency declaration provides relief from Title 49, CFR, Part 395.3 hours-of-service restrictions outlined in the Federal Motor Carrier Safe

Anyone storing 2,380 gallons or more of propane must file a Tier II report with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) each year by March. If someone on your staff is new to filing—or needs a refresher—TCEQ is offering multiple free training options. In-Person Classes • Houston: Jan. 18, 2026 – American Red Cross (Southwest Fwy) • Austin: Jan. 20, 2026 – TCEQ Park 35, Building F Online Refresher Classes (Short sessions focused on updates) • Dec. 16, 2025 – 10

The Railroad Commission of Texas has published a proposed rule in the November 14, 2025 Texas Register to implement HB 4042, which removes the word “natural” from statute so that propane community systems are now subject to the same pipeline safety and regulatory fees as natural gas systems. The proposed amendments to 16 TAC §8.201 extend existing fee requirements to propane distribution and master-meter systems. Proposed Fees for Propane Systems: $1.00 per service line for p

The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) has secured an anticipated important extension to a rule in the 2024 edition of Handbook-130...

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