Relating to the creation of an organized oilfield theft prevention unit within the Department of Public Safety.

Texas creates oilfield theft police unit

The law creates an organized oilfield theft prevention unit within the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). It has statewide authority to investigate covered crimes and make arrests, including for theft involving oil and gas equipment. That equipment includes machinery, pipe, pumps, and vehicles used in drilling, well maintenance, production, or petroleum transport. The unit’s headquarters and main operations must be in the border region that includes El Paso. Additional regional offices need Texas Public Safety Commission approval. The unit must coordinate with law enforcement, state prosecutors, the Railroad Commission of Texas, and victims as needed. It must also help train local police, provide resources and policing strategies, educate communities and industry, and maintain a crime database. DPS must report on results by January 1 of every odd-numbered year, including arrests, prosecutions, recovered assets, and recommended improvements. The director must set up supervision and adopt commission-approved rules covering equipment, facilities, staff training, and working conditions. The deadline for adopting implementation rules was December 1, 2025. The act specifies immediate effect with a two-thirds vote in each house; otherwise, its effective date is September 1, 2025.