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