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Committee approves creation of organized oil‑field theft unit at DPS
Summary
House Bill 48 was reported favorably; testimony supported a centralized Department of Public Safety unit to investigate organized oil‑field theft and money‑laundering schemes affecting the industry.
The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice voted to report House Bill 48 favorably after industry witnesses urged creation of a Department of Public Safety unit focused on organized oil‑field theft.
Ed Longenecker, president of the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association, testified in support and cited recent federal reports alleging large‑scale oil theft and laundering schemes involving transnational smuggling. He told the committee the proposed unit would improve training for law enforcement, enhance collaboration among stakeholders, and help dismantle sophisticated criminal enterprises that steal oil and related products.
Sponsors described the bill as complementary to other oil‑field theft legislation and said a centralized DPS unit would provide investigative resources and statewide coordination. The committee voted 7–0 to report the bill to the full Senate.
