89R4434 JDK-F
By: Landgraf H.B. No. 1647
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a theft of petroleum products task
force.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) In this Act:
(1) "Commission" means the Railroad Commission of
Texas.
(2) "Theft of petroleum product" means conduct
constituting an offense under Section 31.19, Penal Code.
(b) The commission shall appoint a task force to study and
make recommendations related to preventing the theft of petroleum
products in this state.
(c) The task force must include:
(1) at least one representative from the oil and gas
industry;
(2) at least one representative from an energy trade
association; and
(3) representatives from local, state, and federal law
enforcement agencies.
(d) The commission shall designate a member of the task
force as the presiding officer.
(e) The task force shall meet at least quarterly at the call
of the presiding officer. A task force meeting may be conducted
virtually through the Internet.
(f) The task force shall conduct an ongoing study of the
theft of petroleum products in this state. In conducting the study,
the task force shall:
(1) review laws and regulations addressing the theft
of petroleum products in other jurisdictions, including
international political and economic organizations;
(2) analyze:
(A) the impact of the theft of petroleum products
on the collection of sales tax;
(B) the long-term economic impacts of the theft
of petroleum products; and
(C) the advantages and disadvantages of taking
various actions to reduce the theft of petroleum products; and
(3) make recommendations regarding:
(A) theft of petroleum product outreach and
prevention programs, including coordination among stakeholders,
including local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies; and
(B) training for law enforcement officers and
prosecutors on effective strategies for combating the theft of
petroleum products.
(g) In conducting the study under Subsection (f) of this
section, the members of the task force may:
(1) consult with any organization, governmental
entity, or person the task force considers necessary; and
(2) collaborate and share information relating to an
active criminal investigation with one another regardless of
whether the information would otherwise be confidential and not
subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code.
(h) Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year,
the task force shall prepare and submit a report of the study
conducted under Subsection (f) of this section to the governor, the
lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,
the commission, and each standing committee of the legislature with
primary jurisdiction over oil and gas matters.
(i) The report submitted under Subsection (h) of this
section:
(1) must include legislative and other
recommendations to increase transparency, improve security,
enhance consumer protections, prevent the theft of petroleum
products, and address the long-term economic impact of the theft of
petroleum products; and
(2) may be submitted electronically.
(j) Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the
duration of the task force or to the designation of the task force's
presiding officer.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the Railroad Commission of Texas shall appoint the
theft of petroleum products task force as required by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act expires December 31, 2030.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.