BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 201
89R1045 JDK-F	By: Perez, Mary Ann (Zaffirini)
	State Affairs
	5/13/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

In 2021, H.B. 2106 gave the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation rulemaking authority to prevent card skimmer installations at gas pumps and established the Financial Crimes Intelligence Center (FCIC) to better coordinate law enforcement efforts. Now, we are seeing pulsar manipulation devices at gas pumps, which criminals install to manipulate the counter in the pump so that it no longer accurately measures how much fuel is being dispensed. This is essentially stealing fuel from the pump, hurting small businesses, and depriving the state of tax revenue.

H.B. 201 would expand the authority of the Financial Crimes Intelligence Center (FCIC) by broadening its scope beyond card fraud to include motor fuel theft. By serving as the state's central hub for combating financial crimes, the FCIC will work closely with law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to develop and implement strategies for fraud prevention.

H.B. 201 amends current law relating to the financial crimes intelligence center.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 2312.001, Occupations Code, by adding Subdivisions (4-a) and (4-b) to define "motor fuel manipulation device" and "motor fuel theft" and amending Subdivision (5) to redefine "skimmer."

SECTION 2. Amends Section 2312.052, Occupations Code, as follows:

Sec. 2312.052. PURPOSES OF CENTER. Provides that the purposes of the Financial Crimes Intelligence Center (center) are to:

(1) serve as the state's primary entity for the planning, coordination, and integration of law enforcement agencies and other governmental agencies that respond to criminal activity related to card fraud, including through the use of skimmers, and motor fuel theft; and

(2) makes a conforming change to this subdivision.

SECTION 3. Amends Section 2312.054, Occupations Code, by amending Subsections (b) and (c) and adding Subsection (b-1), as follows:

(b) Requires the center to assist certain entities in their efforts to develop and implement strategies to detect skimmers and motor fuel manipulation devices, ensure an effective response if a skimmer or motor fuel manipulation device is found, and prevent card fraud and motor fuel theft.

(b-1) Authorizes the center, on request of a law enforcement or other governmental agency, to provide assistance to that agency regarding any matter within the center's expertise.

SECTION 4. Amends Section 2312.055(b), Occupations Code, to make conforming changes.

SECTION 5. Amends Section 2312.102(b), Occupations Code, to make conforming changes.

SECTION 6. Effective date: September 1, 2025.