Video & Transcript DataContr Research : 'organized retail theft'

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TX
Summary: In the recent committee meeting, a variety of bills were discussed, with significant focus on addressing public safety and organized crime. Representative Cook presented House Bill 3167, aimed at combating organized retail theft, emphasizing the substantial financial losses faced by Texas businesses due to these crimes. Numerous witnesses testified about the increasing sophistication of retail theft operations, and the need for a strong legal response to protect both retailers and employees. Another notable point of discussion was House Bill 108, which seeks to impose stricter penalties for individuals using body armor during violent crimes, highlighting the impact of such legislation on enhancing public safety.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Criminal Justice Apr 1st, 2025

Senate Criminal Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • He said oil field theft is now, the value of the theft is now...
  • as of late is this organized component that far exceeds our ability as an industry to organize against
  • The organized oil theft prevention unit envisioned by SB1320 must be integrated into the broader architecture
  • industry is organized retail crime.
  • The committee substitute to SB 1809 is a piece of the larger fight against organized retail crime (ORC
Summary: The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice convened to address pressing issues surrounding oil field crime and safety on Texas highways. The meeting was initiated by Chair Flores, who emphasized the need for improved tools to combat repeat offenders having committed intoxicated driving, alongside tackling oil field theft that has escalated due to organized criminal activities. The committee heard public testimonies and engaged with various stakeholders, including law enforcement and industry representatives, who highlighted the complexities and dangers associated with these crimes. Notably, a significant focus was placed on Senate Bill 1320, which aims to establish a dedicated unit within the Department of Public Safety to investigate and address thefts specific to the oil and gas industry. This initiative seeks to strengthen coordination among various law enforcement agencies and improve training for local officers to combat these sophisticated theft operations more effectively.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Border Security (Part II) Apr 10th, 2025

Senate Border Security Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • ...and foreign terrorist organizations.
  • , and other criminal organizations operating in the state of Texas.
  • , "Are you a member of a criminal street gang, foreign terrorist organization, or a transnational organization
  • , that in and of itself is grounds for them to be removed from that organization.
  • organizations, and tier-one gangs have evolved into adaptive networked threats.
Summary: The meeting of the committee centered around several significant legislative proposals, notably focusing on SB2201, which aims to enhance intelligence databases to tackle organized crime, including street gangs and terrorist organizations. Senator Birdwell led the discussions by emphasizing the need for strong measures to adapt to the evolving landscape of criminal activity in Texas and proposed key amendments designed to strengthen accountability for law enforcement. Members engaged in detailed conversations with testimonies supporting the bill's intention to safeguard civil liberties while bolstering law enforcement's ability to manage public safety concerns effectively. Additionally, SB2200 and SB2199 were discussed and subsequently passed favorably to the full Senate following committee substitutions that addressed minor drafting corrections and compliance with federal standards.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

S/C on Workforce Apr 1st, 2025 at 09:00 am

House S/C on Workforce

Transcript Highlights:
  • Wage theft is theft. When someone does work and does not get paid, we are.
  • Lastly, wage theft is theft.
  • Wage theft is the most common form of theft in the

  • There are other organizations, but ours would be specifically related to the medical fee dispute.
  • We are a statewide organization where we have deep roots.
Summary: The meeting of the Workforce Committee included extensive discussions around several key bills, primarily focusing on issues related to wage theft and child care services. Representative Gonzalez presented HB 669, highlighting the significant problem of wage theft affecting low-income workers. Testimonies from various stakeholders underscored the importance of creating a transparent database that would hold employers accountable for wage violations, emphasizing the need for a fair labor market for all workers. Several witnesses provided support for the bill, discussing its potential positive impact on Texas families and businesses.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Criminal Jurisprudence Mar 11th, 2025 at 10:30 am

House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee

Summary: The meeting held by the committee was marked by significant discussions surrounding various bills, particularly HB268, HB305, and HB380, all of which focus on enhancing accountability and public safety. Representative Landgraf presented HB268, aimed at increasing penalties for false threats made against schools, following incidents in his district that caused major disruptions. The legislation sought to escalate the crime from a state jail felony to a third-degree felony, with members expressing the need for a deterrent against such hoaxes to ensure student safety and maintain law enforcement resources. Public testimonies were heard, which highlighted the widespread impact of these threats across Texas schools.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Mar 17th, 2025 at 10:00 am

House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • check forgery, identity theft, related automobile loan fraud, and other related issues.
  • organized groups that were committing the card skimming at
  • This whole bill ensures that Texas is taking the lead on tackling organized financial crimes.
  • This theft also robs Texas of vital tax revenue, undermining our state's economic stability.
  • for organized crime.
Summary: The meeting of the Committee on Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services convened to discuss various bills aimed at enhancing financial governance and protections in Texas. Notably, Representative Perez laid out House Bill 201, which proposes expanding the scope of the Financial Crimes Intelligence Center to combat organized financial crimes, such as motor fuel theft. This bill garnered significant support from witnesses, including Captain Jeff Headley from the Financial Crimes Intelligence Center, who highlighted the urgent need for legislative measures to address increasing thefts that impact both consumers and state revenue. Subsequently, testimony from several members elucidated the impact of these crimes, emphasizing their detrimental effects on Texas' economic stability. The committee members expressed their interest in the advancements in tackling such issues through the proposed legislation.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Natural Resources Mar 5th, 2025

Senate Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Statewide Task Force to Analyze Organized Oilfield Theft
  • So it's not going to be something new; it'll just be maybe more organized.
  • As all of you know, oilfield theft is not a new or recent issue.
  • with equipment theft and damage resulting in losses of approximately $475,000.
  • Now we're into the oil theft. Our county alone gets...
Bills: SB766, SB290, SB494, SB1145
Summary: The meeting focused on significant issues surrounding oil field theft in Texas, specifically through the discussions on Senate Bills 494 and 766. Key testifiers included law enforcement representatives who outlined the challenges they face in combatting organized oil theft. Notably, Sheriff Stan Parker shared that his county reports upwards of 1,500 barrels of oil stolen monthly, highlighting the complexity of jurisdictional coordination and the demand for increased resources to tackle these crimes effectively. The committee recognized the need for improved communication and collaborative efforts between law enforcement and the oil industry.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Business and Commerce (Part II) May 1st, 2025

Senate Business & Commerce Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Under the bill, a retail dealer may not increase the cash
  • It also adds language that prohibits the retail seller from adding fees to the sales price.
  • business relationship existed with the retailer and that
  • We believe all of these provisions would create significant challenges for retail sellers.
  • I mean, we've got a lot of great members in his organization, and I respect all of them.
Summary: The committee meeting focused heavily on the discussion surrounding HB149, an act aimed at establishing a comprehensive framework for the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) in Texas. The bill seeks to ensure that AI technologies are developed and deployed in a manner that is both innovative and responsible, addressing potential harms while protecting individual rights and privacy. Chairman Schwartner led the conversations, emphasizing the importance of balancing regulatory measures with the need for technological advancement. Several stakeholders, including legal experts and industry representatives, provided testimony in support of the bill, praising its potential to position Texas as a leader in AI governance. Public testimony reflected a mixture of support and caution, with some witnesses advocating for greater accountability and regulatory oversight to mitigate risks associated with AI systems.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Business and Commerce (Part I) May 1st, 2025

Senate Business & Commerce Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, retail pet stores typically use large scale

  • Conditions and ban rescue organizations from sharing staff
  • Phyllis had to go outside the city limits of Dallas where pet sales in retail stores are already not
  • than these retailers that sell puppies from puppy mills,
  • I'm representing my locally owned Petland retail stores, and I strongly oppose SB 1652.
Summary: In the recent meeting of the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce, multiple significant bills were discussed, with House Bill 912 and Senate Bill 1003 receiving favorable recommendations for further consideration. Senator Zaffirini played a pivotal role in moving several bills through the committee process, including Senate Bill 748, which also received support with a unanimous vote. Public testimonies were taken for various bills, notably SB 2113, which focuses on improving legislative access to information, fostering a more transparent government. The committee's discussions were marked by an emphasis on good governance and the importance of legislative oversight.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Apr 9th, 2025 at 10:30 am

House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • organized theft and border smuggling.
  • over 3,000 thefts.
  • So, we have an entire group of people involved in this organized theft.
  • disrupt organized theft and border smuggling.
  • Retail pet sale bans also do not close puppy mills.
Summary: This committee meeting predominantly focused on the discussions surrounding several significant bills aimed at enhancing child care accessibility and addressing the issues related to deepfake technology. Representative Bojani introduced HB3133, which seeks to create a clear reporting process for deepfake material, ensuring social media platforms take accountability for harmful content. The bill aims to safeguard users from digital manipulations. Notably, the representatives engaged in a robust dialogue regarding the rising need for responsible management of deepfake content, establishing that Texas could take a leading role in this area.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th 2nd C.S.

89th Legislative Session - Second Called Session Aug 26th, 2025 at 10:08 am

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Deed fraud or title theft occurs when a person who

  • is not tailored to this type of theft.
  • It happens organically. Because I need to know where a kid is—are they moving on the information?
  • We had PTA, we had organizations show up, but we didn't have a single parent show up to testify.
  • Which organizes Mr. Shaheen to explain the bill.
Bills: HB8, HB12, SB3, HJR1, SB11, SB16, SB14
Summary: In this meeting, significant discussions revolved around several key bills, including SB3, SB11, SB14, SB16, and HB8. SB3, concerning outdoor warning sirens, was emphasized for improving flood safety with community input and grants. SB11 proposed defenses for victims of human trafficking, affirmatively recognizing their coerced actions. Meanwhile, SB14 incentivized water conservation efforts by allowing political subdivisions to credit fees to developers for conservation projects. Each of these bills received robust debate and support from members. HB8, proposed by Buckley, aimed at reforming public school assessments, ultimately emphasizing accountability and transparency in educational measures, generating considerable discussion around reducing testing pressures on students and improving educational outcomes.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • theft of a mail arrow key.
  • of U.S. mail and the subsequent forgery and identity theft that follows.
  • This has become organized crime.
  • As an act that is law, this bill would treat the theft as a negotiable instrument, as the theft of personal
  • The theft of universal mail arrow keys also appears to be a part of this growing crime.
Summary: The committee meeting focused on several critical pieces of legislation, including discussions around HB1720, aimed at enhancing the security of animal housing facilities to prevent unauthorized trespassing. Representative Gerben-Hawkins emphasized the bill's importance in protecting both the animals and the safety of facilities. The discussion highlighted personal accounts, including a notable incident involving a break-in at the Dallas Zoo, underscoring the urgency of implementing stricter penalties for trespassers in these settings. The bill aims to classify such trespassing as a jail felony or even a third-degree felony depending on the circumstances of any harassment towards the animals involved. Additionally, HB2593 was brought up, proposing to increase penalties for indecent assault against the elderly and disabled, reflecting a growing concern for the safety of vulnerable populations. The committee also discussed HB4414, which addresses mail theft related to checks and introduces offenses for the theft of mail keys. The meeting was well-attended, with ample public testimony supporting these legislative measures, indicating a strong concern from the community about animal welfare and protection for vulnerable citizens.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th 2nd C.S.

Senate Session (Part I) Aug 27th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Bills: SB3, SB16, SB2, SB5, SB10, HB17, SB54, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, HB8, HB25, HB26, HB192
Summary: The committee meeting featured discussions on several important resolutions, particularly HCR2 through HCR5. Notably, HCR2 commemorates the victims of the Hill Country Floods, while HCR3 recognizes the contributions of Children's Emergency Relief International. HCR4 celebrates the anniversary of a local couple, and HCR5 honors a recipient of the Chief Roughneck Award from the Independent Petroleum Association of America. These resolutions highlight community solidarity and recognition of service within Texas. During the session, members expressed their sentiments on these resolutions, contributing to a respectful and reflective atmosphere.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Ways & Means Mar 17th, 2025 at 01:00 pm

House Ways & Means Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Yes, retail animals in pet stores are taxed currently.
  • by the owner of the retail business.
  • I've been in the retail ag business for 31 years and own and operate a feed store.
  • House Bill 134 affects Texas retailers.

  • This is what you and I pay at the retailer level. This is Target, Walmart, all these guys.
Summary: The meeting of the committee was dominated by discussions surrounding House Bill 134, which proposes a shift from origin-based sales tax sourcing to destination-based sourcing in Texas. This bill generated significant debate among committee members and witnesses, with several city representatives expressing strong opposition due to the potential financial impact on their municipalities. Concerns were raised that the bill could lead to the loss of millions in sales tax revenue, which is crucial for funding essential services like public safety, infrastructure, and local development initiatives. As the discussion progressed, the chairman emphasized the need for a comprehensive understanding of the bill's implications on all economic stakeholders, while supporters of the bill argued for its potential to streamline tax regulations.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Local Government (Part I) May 5th, 2025

Senate Local Government Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Jeff Burdette, NFIB; Carl Walker, Texas Taxpayers and Research Association; and John McCord, Texas Retail
  • John McCord with the Texas Retailers Association here in
  • state of Texas towards lowering food prices, as the state would be providing a real savings that retailers
  • The coalition consists of more than 35 retailers, pharmacies, convenience stores, food distributors,
Summary: The committee meeting saw the discussion of several significant bills aimed at reducing the tax burden on small businesses and addressing public services in municipalities. Notably, Senate Bill 2907, introduced by Senator West, proposes to exempt perishable inventory and pharmaceutical goods from property taxes. This bill received robust support during public testimony, with various stakeholders emphasizing its potential to lower food prices and improve business conditions. Similarly, Senate Bill 1331 addressed the protective measures for smaller municipalities facing threats from petitions to remove municipal services, aiming to reduce the requisite population threshold for such actions. The lively discussions underscored the committee's commitment to supporting local communities and businesses in a challenging economic climate.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Local Government (Part II) May 5th, 2025

Senate Local Government Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Boston, that is M&O money that goes into your organization, and then if debt is ever approved, it will
  • "2520">We're proud to have over 1,700 businesses from our five-county region as members of our organization
  • On behalf of our organization, I respectfully urge

Summary: The meeting of the committee included vigorous discussions on various bills, particularly Senate Bills aimed at creating municipal management districts and local improvement initiatives. Senate Bill 3048, presented by Senator Birdwell, was notably passed with unanimous support, establishing a management framework for a 448-acre community called Blue Bonnet Hills. Concurrently, attention was drawn to SB2559, which received public testimony related to development moratoriums that have affected local businesses, emphasizing the need for legislative safeguards against prolonged restrictions on development projects. The session concluded with plans to continue deliberating on various local bills aiming to amend district management provisions.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th 1st C.S.

Business and Commerce Aug 1st, 2025

Senate Business & Commerce Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • In 2019, we were a victim of this theft.
  • Is this an organized ring of people doing this?
  • I think it varies; sometimes it's an individual, and sometimes it is organized.
  • Right now, all deed fraud is prosecuted under traditional theft statutes.
  • Those theft statutes are not designed for handling cases like this.
Bills: SB15
Summary: The meeting of the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce focused primarily on the discussions surrounding SB15 and SB2611, which address the significant issues of property fraud and deed theft. Senator Kolkhorst led the meeting, emphasizing the integration of these bills to effectively tackle the criminal aspects of deed fraud. Numerous testimonies were heard from affected individuals and stakeholders, highlighting the growing problem of property fraud which has seen a disturbing rise over recent years. Guests shared personal accounts of the devastating impacts of such fraud, stressing the bill’s necessity for safeguarding property rights.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th 2nd C.S.

Senate Session (Part III) Aug 27th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I know there are lots of doctors that believe differently regarding organized medicine.
Bills: SB3, SB16, SB2, SB5, SB10, HB17, SB54, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, HB8, HB25, HB26, HB192
Summary: The meeting featured extensive discussions centered on several legislative bills, particularly focusing on House Bill 8, which aims to reform public school accountability and testing methods in Texas. The bill's sponsor passionately argued for its transformative potential, highlighting the replacement of the STAAR test with shorter, more frequent assessments to better measure student performance. Amendments were proposed to restore social studies testing, emphasizing the importance of history in Texas education. The bill ultimately passed with a vote of 21 ayes and 5 nays, showcasing strong support among the members.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th 2nd C.S.

Senate Session (Part II) Aug 27th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill, as you will recall, creates the offense of real property fraud and real property theft, and
Bills: SB3, SB16, SB2, SB5, SB10, HB17, SB54, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, HB8, HB25, HB26, HB192
Summary: The meeting featured crucial discussions surrounding several bills, notably Senate Bill 3, which focuses on establishing effective flood warning systems in Texas. Senator Betancourt introduced the bill, emphasizing its potential to save lives, especially in flood-prone areas. The legislation aims to identify high-risk locations, install outdoor warning systems, and provide necessary funding for implementation. Senator Hinojosa also discussed Senate Bill 16 Regarding real property fraud, which involves amendments requested by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The discussions reflected the urgency for these measures in light of recent events and highlighted collaborative efforts among legislators.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Local Government Apr 14th, 2025

Senate Local Government Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • CTWC is a nonprofit organization. We represent thousands of...
  • That is not for the retail industry.
  • of Chapter 11, leading to charitable organizations having
  • and other organizations.
  • It's difficult because some of these organizations are religious, and some are secular.
Summary: During this committee meeting, several critical bills were deliberated, reflecting the legislators' commitment to addressing property tax regulations and groundwater issues in Texas. Notably, Senate Bill 325 was introduced to close loopholes created by House Bill 3697, ensuring that subdivisions reliant on private roads must demonstrate groundwater availability, a move praised by representatives from environmental and public welfare organizations. The bill emphasizes the necessity for sustainable development practices to prevent future water shortages. Another significant focus was Senate Bill 2172, which aims to rectify the erroneous interpretation of the tax code regarding homestead exemptions, protecting compliant homeowners from unfair tax burdens. This cleanup bill clarifies reapplication processes for homestead exemptions to prevent confusion among appraisal districts and homeowners alike. Public testimony from various stakeholders echoed widespread support for the bills, highlighting the importance of transparency and fair administration in property-related legislation.

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