June 17, 2025
Mr. Tony Gonzales of Texas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
To authorize the establishment of a program to combat oil theft in the Permian Basin.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Protect the Permian Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Permian Basin Oil Theft Task Force
(a) In general
The Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation is authorized to establish a program to combat oil theft in the Permian Basin to be carried out through the Permian Basin Oil Theft Task Force (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the task force
).
(b) Coordination
In carrying out the program established pursuant to subsection (a), the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation shall coordinate with the heads of relevant State, local, and Tribal law enforcement organizations, including other relevant organizations, at the Director’s discretion, with expertise in the oil and gas industry, such as the Railroad Commission of Texas.
(c) Composition
The task force shall consist of not fewer than 2 full time employees of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, one of whom shall be the head of the task force, and may include such local, State, and tribal law enforcement partners as the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation determines appropriate.
(d) Report
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the task force shall submit to the President and relevant congressional committees a report on all task force activities, including—
(1)
the number of criminal charges brought and convictions resulting from the task force’s activities; and
(2)
a detailed account of all funds obligated for task force operational and administrative costs.
(e) Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated not less than $100,000 and not more than $1,000,000 to carry out this section.
(f) Relevant congressional committees
For purposes of this section, the term relevant congressional committees means—
(1)
the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(2)
the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate;
(3)
the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and
(4)
the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives.
Sec. 3. Enhancing criminal penalties
(a) Interstate or foreign shipments by carrier; State prosecutions
Section 659 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
by inserting after pipeline system
the following: or oil refinery or related asset
;
(2)
by striking 3 years
and inserting 5 years
; and
(3)
by striking 10 years
and inserting 15 years
.
(b) Transportation of stolen goods, securities, moneys, fraudulent State tax stamps, or articles used in counterfeiting
Section 2314 of such title is amended—
(1)
by inserting after goods, wares, merchandise,
the following: oil, pipeline, oil and gas equipment or technology,
;
(2)
by striking one year
and inserting 5 years
; and
(3)
by striking ten years
and inserting 15 years
.
(c) Sale or receipt of stolen goods, securities, moneys, or fraudulent State tax stamps
Section 2315 of such title is amended by striking ten years
and inserting 15 years
.
Sec. 4. Additional authorized use of Byrne JAG funds
Section 501(a)(1) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10152(a)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(J)
Programs to reduce or combat oil theft and related crimes (including theft of pipes, technology, equipment, or other assets related to oil refineries or pipelines), as well as the hiring of personnel dedicated to investigating and preventing oil theft.