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Bill

SB 494

Relating to the establishment of a theft of petroleum products task force.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Paul Bettencourt and 8 co-sponsors

Texas establishes a dedicated petroleum theft task force to investigate and combat fuel and oil theft through coordinated enforcement, effective September 1, 2025.

Effective on 9/1/25
#crimes--againstproperty(i0175) #interimstudies(i0448) #oil&gas(i0545) #railroadcommission(v0089) #stateagencies #boards&commissions--newlyproposed(i0773)
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Bill Summary · SB 494

Legislative bill overview

SB 494 establishes a specialized task force in Texas dedicated to investigating and combating theft of petroleum products. The bill creates a coordinated enforcement mechanism to address what state lawmakers identify as a growing problem of fuel and oil theft across the state. The task force became effective September 1, 2025, following the Governor's signature in May.

Why is this important

Petroleum product theft costs businesses, distributors, and consumers through direct losses and increased prices. The creation of a dedicated task force signals state-level concern about organized or systematic fuel theft and represents an investment in cross-agency coordination to tackle the problem. This type of specialized enforcement can improve recovery rates and deter future theft through visible consequences.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and resource allocation: Establishing a new task force requires funding and personnel; critics may question whether these resources could address other priorities or whether existing agencies could handle this without expansion
  • Scope and jurisdiction clarity: Questions may arise about which petroleum products are covered, whether the task force has statewide or regional authority, and how it coordinates with local law enforcement
  • Definition of "theft": The bill's effectiveness depends on clear definitions distinguishing theft from legitimate disputes over payment, measurement discrepancies, or other commercial disagreements in the petroleum supply chain

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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