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HR4034119th Congress

Protect the Permian Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Gonzales, Tony [R-TX-23]

Introduced

Summary

Combat oil theft in the Permian Basin. This bill would create an FBI-led Permian Basin Oil Theft Task Force, strengthen criminal penalties for oil and pipeline theft, and let Byrne/JAG funds support anti-theft programs.

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  • Federal law enforcement: The task force would be led by the FBI with at least 2 full-time FBI employees, coordinate with State, local, and Tribal partners, and provide annual reports to the President and four congressional committees detailing charges, convictions, and funds obligated.
  • Penalties: The bill would raise maximum prison terms for covered oil theft and related trafficking offenses to as much as 15 years and increase shorter-term maximums to up to 5 years.
  • Local partners and programs: It would add a new Byrne/JAG program category to fund efforts that reduce oil theft and to hire personnel to investigate theft of pipes, equipment, refineries, or pipelines.

*Would authorize between $100,000 and $1.0 million in appropriations for the task force, increasing federal spending by that amount if appropriated.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

FBI task force on Permian oil theft

If enacted, the FBI would be able to set up a Permian Basin Oil Theft Task Force. It must include at least two full-time FBI employees, with one as the head. The task force would work with State, local, and Tribal police, and may consult oil and gas experts. It would report to the President and four congressional committees within one year and then every year. The bill would authorize $100,000 to $1,000,000 for this work.

Grants could fund oil theft enforcement

If enacted, state, local, and Tribal agencies could use existing justice grants to fight oil theft. Grants could fund programs against theft of oil, pipes, equipment, or refinery and pipeline assets. Agencies could also hire staff focused on investigating and preventing oil theft. This change would take effect upon enactment.

Tougher federal penalties for oil theft

If enacted, federal theft laws would add oil and refinery items as covered property. Maximum prison terms would rise in several places: from 1 year to 5 years, from 3 years to 5 years, and from 10 years to 15 years. The rules would apply to people who steal, move, sell, or receive stolen oil-related goods across state or foreign lines. Changes would take effect upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Gonzales, Tony [R-TX-23]

TX • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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