S.B. No. 494

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 consult with any organization, governmental entity, or person the task force considers necessary.

(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.

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 494 passed the Senate on March 12, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 7, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 494 passed the House, with amendment, on May 1, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 137, Nays 6, one present not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

Approved:

______________________________

Date

______________________________

Governor