State restrictions on the use of dyed diesel for fuel for vehicles on Texas roadways was lifted on Feb. 19 as Texans work to recover from last week’s winter storm.

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar and Gov. Greg Abbott also announced state motor fuels tax on dyed diesel has been suspended.

The Comptroller’s office secured a temporary waiver from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to waive penalties and help clear the way for off-road diesel fuel to be used by on-road vehicles in all 254 counties to ensure the availability of reliable fuel sources for disaster relief.

Abbott also issued a disaster declaration last week in response to the severe weather in Texas and requested a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) disaster designation.

President Joe Biden has declared a disaster in 108 Texas counties.

The president’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of: Anderson, Angelina, Aransas, Austin, Bastrop, Bee, Bell, Bexar, Blanco, Bosque, Bowie, Brazoria, Brazos, Brown, Burleson, Burnet, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Cherokee, Collin, Colorado, Comal, Comanche, Cooke, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, DeWitt, Ellis, Erath, Falls, Fannin, Fort Bend, Freestone, Galveston, Gillespie, Gonzales, Grayson, Gregg, Grimes, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Harrison, Hays, Henderson, Hidalgo, Hill, Hood, Houston, Hunt, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jim Wells, Johnson, Jones, Kaufman, Kendall, Lavaca, Liberty, Limestone, Lubbock, Madison, Matagorda, Maverick, McLennan, Medina, Milam, Montague, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Nueces, Orange, Palo Pinto, Panola, Parker, Polk, Rockwall, Rusk, Sabine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Scurry, Shelby, Smith, Stephens, Tarrant, Taylor, Travis, Tom Green, Tyler, Upshur, Val Verde, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Washington, Wharton, Wichita, Williamson, Wilson, Wise and Wood.

This designation makes federal assistance, such as emergency loans, available to farmers and ranchers who have suffered losses in designated counties, as well as in counties that are contiguous to a designated county.

Texas Farm Bureau staff have been in communication with Abbott’s office, outlining the needs and concerns of farmers, ranchers and rural Texans.

For more information on USDA disaster programs and assistance following the severe winter storm, visit https://texasfarmbureau.org/winter-storm-resources.