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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of a theft of petroleum products task |
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force. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. (a) In this Act: |
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(1) "Commission" means the Railroad Commission of |
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Texas. |
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(2) "Theft of petroleum product" means conduct |
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constituting an offense under Section 31.19, Penal Code. |
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(b) The commission shall appoint a task force to study and |
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make recommendations related to preventing the theft of petroleum |
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products in this state. |
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(c) The task force must include: |
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(1) at least one representative from the oil and gas |
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industry; |
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(2) at least one representative from an energy trade |
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association; and |
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(3) representatives from local, state, and federal law |
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enforcement agencies. |
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(d) The commission shall designate a member of the task |
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force as the presiding officer. |
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(e) The task force shall meet at least quarterly at the call |
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of the presiding officer. A task force meeting may be conducted |
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virtually through the Internet. |
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(f) The task force shall conduct an ongoing study of the |
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theft of petroleum products in this state. In conducting the study, |
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the task force shall: |
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(1) review laws and regulations addressing the theft |
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of petroleum products in other jurisdictions, including |
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international political and economic organizations; |
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(2) analyze: |
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(A) the impact of the theft of petroleum products |
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on the collection of sales tax; |
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(B) the long-term economic impacts of the theft |
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of petroleum products; and |
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(C) the advantages and disadvantages of taking |
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various actions to reduce the theft of petroleum products; and |
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(3) make recommendations regarding: |
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(A) theft of petroleum product outreach and |
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prevention programs, including coordination among stakeholders, |
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including local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies; and |
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(B) training for law enforcement officers and |
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prosecutors on effective strategies for combating the theft of |
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petroleum products. |
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(g) In conducting the study under Subsection (f) of this |
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section, the members of the task force may consult with any |
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organization, governmental entity, or person the task force |
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considers necessary. |
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(h) Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, |
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the task force shall prepare and submit a report of the study |
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conducted under Subsection (f) of this section to the governor, the |
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lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, |
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the commission, and each standing committee of the legislature with |
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primary jurisdiction over oil and gas matters. |
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(i) The report submitted under Subsection (h) of this |
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section: |
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(1) must include legislative and other |
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recommendations to increase transparency, improve security, |
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enhance consumer protections, prevent the theft of petroleum |
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products, and address the long-term economic impact of the theft of |
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petroleum products; and |
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(2) may be submitted electronically. |
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(j) Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the |
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duration of the task force or to the designation of the task force's |
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presiding officer. |
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SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act, the Railroad Commission of Texas shall appoint the |
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theft of petroleum products task force as required by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act expires December 31, 2030. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 494 passed the Senate on |
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March 12, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that |
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the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 7, 2025, by the |
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following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 494 passed the House, with |
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amendment, on May 1, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 137, |
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Nays 6, one present not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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Approved: |
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______________________________ |
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Date |
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______________________________ |
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Governor |