Relating to the financial crimes intelligence center.
relating to the financial crimes intelligence center.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 2312.001, Occupations Code, is amended
by adding Subdivisions (4-a) and (4-b) and amending Subdivision (5)
to read as follows:
(4-a) “Motor fuel manipulation device” means a
mechanism manufactured, assembled, or adapted to manipulate or
alter a motor fuel metering device or a motor fuel unattended
payment terminal for an unlawful purpose.
(4-b) “Motor fuel theft” means an act that:
(A) constitutes an offense under Section 31.03,
Penal Code; and
(B) qualifies for an affirmative finding of motor
fuel theft under Article 42.019, Code of Criminal Procedure.
(5) “Skimmer” means an electronic, mechanical, or
other device that may be used to unlawfully intercept electronic
communications or data to perpetrate card fraud. The term includes
a credit card shimmer.
SECTION 2. Section 2312.052, Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 2312.052. PURPOSES OF CENTER. The purposes of the
center are to:
(1) serve as the state’s primary entity for the
planning, coordination, and integration of law enforcement
agencies and other governmental agencies that respond to criminal
activity related to card fraud, including through the use of
skimmers, and motor fuel theft; and
(2) maximize the ability of the department, law
enforcement agencies, and other governmental agencies to detect,
prevent, and respond to criminal activities related to card fraud
and motor fuel theft.
SECTION 3. Section 2312.054, Occupations Code, is amended
by amending Subsections (b) and (c) and adding Subsection (b-1) to
read as follows:
(b) The center shall assist law enforcement agencies, other
governmental agencies, financial institutions, credit card
issuers, debit card issuers, payment card networks, institutions of
higher education, and merchants in their efforts to develop and
implement strategies to:
(1) detect skimmers and motor fuel manipulation
devices;
(2) ensure an effective response if a skimmer or motor
fuel manipulation device is found; and
(3) prevent card fraud and motor fuel theft.
(b-1) On request of a law enforcement or other governmental
agency, the center may provide assistance to that agency regarding
any matter within the center’s expertise.
(c) The center may:
(1) serve as a centralized collection point for
information related to card fraud and motor fuel theft;
(2) provide training and educational opportunities to
law enforcement;
(3) provide outreach to the public; and
(4) release information to affected financial
institutions, credit card issuers, debit card issuers, payment card
networks, institutions of higher education, and merchants if the
center does not consider the information to be sensitive to law
enforcement.
SECTION 4. Section 2312.055(b), Occupations Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(b) The report must include:
(1) a plan of operation for the center and an estimate
of the amount of money necessary to implement that plan;
(2) an assessment of the current state of card fraud
and motor fuel theft in this state, including:
(A) an identification of the geographic
locations in this state that have the highest statistical
probability for card fraud and motor fuel theft; and
(B) a summary of card fraud and motor fuel theft
statistics for the year in which the report is filed;
(3) a detailed plan of operation for combatting card
fraud and motor fuel theft;
(4) a communications plan for outreach to law
enforcement agencies, financial institutions, credit card issuers,
debit card issuers, payment card networks, merchants, and the
public; and
(5) a list of expenditures made since the most recent
report was filed with the department.
SECTION 5. Section 2312.102(b), Occupations Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(b) A grant recipient may use grant money to:
(1) reduce card fraud by removing skimmers;
(2) purchase or upgrade fraud deterrence equipment,
including unique locking systems, cameras, and lights;
(3) provide training opportunities regarding
skimmers; and
(4) conduct public outreach regarding card fraud and
motor fuel theft.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
