January 2026

TXTA Foundation Scholarships – Apply Now

Excargo is excited to share that the TXTA Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2026-2027 Academic Scholarships. This opportunity is open to employees of TXTA member companies and their eligible family members who are high school seniors or currently enrolled in college or graduate school.

Urgent TXTA Compliance Notice

TXTA has confirmed that Texas DPS is reviewing non-domiciled CDLs and may immediately cancel CDL privileges if they do not meet federal requirements. Texas has not issued new non-domiciled CDLs since September 29, 2025, and drivers who fail English Language Proficiency checks during inspections may be placed out of service. Carriers with drivers holding non-domiciled CDLs should review driver files and MVRs immediately. 

For questions, contact TXTA directly: 

• John Esparza – john@texastrucking.com“>john@texastrucking.com 
• Jeff Langloss – jeff@texastrucking.com“>jeff@texastrucking.com

Port Houston 2026 Budget

The Port Commission recently approved Port Houston’s FY 2026 operating budget of $726 million and a $569 million capital plan, outlining priorities for managing port operations and facility investments in the year ahead.

Proposed CDL Legislation Update

New legislation introduced in the U.S. House would allow commercial drivers under 21, in limited cases, to operate across state lines instead of being restricted to intrastate driving only. The proposal has already gained support from two national trucking organizations and is moving through early review.

Cargo Theft: Growing Threat to Supply Chains

Cargo theft is becoming more organized and sophisticated, with international crime rings increasingly targeting U.S. freight. Industry experts warn that these groups are skilled at manipulating drivers into diverting loads to unauthorized locations—even when red flags are present.

Read for more details on these schemes and what carriers should watch for.

Tariffs: Limited Relief on Exemptions

While new U.S. tariff exemptions are providing some relief across select industries, chemical and plastics manufacturers remain largely impacted. Recent exclusions primarily benefit aerospace, pharmaceutical, and semiconductor materials, while most commodity chemicals, polymers, and resins continue to face tariffs ranging from 10% to 40%.

For much of the chemical supply chain, cost pressures are expected to continue.