According to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), the fiscal implications of HB 48 is projected to have a negative impact of approximately $2.33 million on General Revenue over the biennium. This cost arises from the creation and operation of the Organized Oilfield Theft Prevention Unit within the Department of Public Safety (DPS), as mandated by the bill. Specifically, the Department anticipates it cannot absorb the responsibilities within existing resources, thus requiring the hiring of additional personnel and covering associated operating costs.

In fiscal year 2026, the projected cost is $1,542,971, reflecting start-up expenses and salaries for new staff. This includes funding for four full-time employees: two special agents, one lieutenant, and one administrative assistant. These staff members would be responsible for managing investigations, overseeing operations, and providing support for training and public outreach efforts as outlined in the bill. Starting in fiscal year 2027 and continuing through 2030, the annual cost levels off at approximately $788,895 per year for maintaining the unit's operations.

Importantly, the bill does not carry an appropriation but could provide the legal foundation for one in the future. Additionally, no significant fiscal impact is anticipated for local governments, as the bill’s primary financial burden would be carried by the state. Overall, while the bill carries a moderate ongoing cost, its financial impact is limited to a small staffing and operational footprint and does not involve large-scale infrastructure or capital investment.

HB 48 addresses a serious and growing threat to Texas’s energy infrastructure: organized oilfield theft. By establishing a specialized unit within the Department of Public Safety (DPS) focused on investigating and coordinating responses to theft of petroleum products and oilfield equipment, the bill directly reinforces key liberty principles—including private property rights, personal responsibility, and free enterprise. The unit will have statewide jurisdiction, a regional base near the international border, and responsibilities including law enforcement coordination, public outreach, and data tracking—all aimed at supporting lawful energy operators and deterring organized criminal activity.

While the bill is narrowly tailored and avoids regulatory overreach or burdens on individuals or businesses, it does modestly expand the size and scope of government. It establishes a new division within DPS with dedicated staffing and operations, costing the state approximately $2.3 million over the biennium, with ongoing annual expenses. Though the expansion is limited and targeted, it warrants oversight and accountability to ensure effectiveness and to prevent unintended mission creep.

Therefore, this bill deserves support with strategic amendments.

Suggested Amendments:

• A sunset provision, to require future legislative review of the unit’s performance and continued relevance.
• Clearly defined performance metrics, to evaluate effectiveness and fiscal efficiency.
• Statutory safeguards limit the unit’s scope to oilfield-related crimes as defined in the bill.

With these amendments, HB 48 would more fully align with the principle of limited government, while maintaining strong alignment with liberty-driven objectives. As such, Texas Policy Research recommends that lawmakers vote YES on HB 48 while also strongly suggesting the consideration of amendments as described above.

• Individual Liberty: The bill reinforces individual liberty by protecting Texans, especially landowners, mineral rights holders, and oilfield operators, from theft and criminal interference. Organized oilfield theft often involves high-value property and, at times, physical threats. By strengthening enforcement of existing laws under Penal Code §§ 31.03 and 31.19, the bill supports individuals’ rights to secure their property and livelihoods without expanding criminal statutes or infringing on lawful activity. Importantly, it does not introduce surveillance tools, limit due process, or impose on civil liberties.
• Personal Responsibility: The bill underscores personal responsibility by holding individuals accountable for engaging in organized theft. It enhances the state’s ability to investigate and prosecute those who violate property laws, reinforcing the idea that individuals are responsible for the consequences of their actions. The public outreach and local law enforcement training components also help communities take proactive roles in safeguarding their industries.
• Free Enterprise: Organized theft imposes significant operational and financial burdens on the oil and gas sector, especially for small and mid-sized operators who may not have the resources for private security. By targeting theft rings and reducing losses, HB 48 promotes a more stable and secure environment for lawful business activity. This helps ensure that honest market participants can compete fairly, without being undermined by criminal actors.
• Private Property Rights: At its core, the bill is a defense of property rights. The bill dedicates state resources to preventing the unlawful appropriation of valuable oilfield equipment and petroleum products. It acknowledges that effective protection of property requires more than punishment—it also demands preventive coordination, victim engagement, and recovery efforts. The centralized database and interagency cooperation provisions enhance this protection further.
• Limited Government: This is the one principle where the bill raises legitimate concerns. While the bill does not create a new agency or regulatory regime, it does expand the footprint of state government by establishing a new enforcement unit within DPS, with new staffing, facilities, and operating costs (estimated at $2.3 million for the first biennium). Without a sunset clause, performance benchmarks, or statutory limits on scope, there is a risk of bureaucratic “mission creep” or inefficiency over time. These concerns are not disqualifying, but they highlight the need for amendments to maintain fidelity to limited government ideals.

• HB 3035 (Same As)
• SB 1320 (Similar To)