Landgraf Bill Lets Oil Industry In On Active Investigations

The text as introduced · 554 words

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.