Texas may crack down on fuel pump tampering, fuel theft

Austin—The Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 988 by Senator Paul Bettencourt (R Houston) in a decisive bi-partisan 29-2 vote, a targeted effort to fight back against organized fuel theft rings across the state. SB 988 was brought to Bettencourt by the Dallas District Attorneys’ office who has been fighting these organized criminal groups since 2021. This bill passed the Texas Legislature nearly unanimously in 2023 but was not signed into law by the Governor after the 88th Regular Session. 

Organized criminal groups have exploited vulnerabilities in gas pump technologies by damaging fuel dispenser “pulsers.” These devices regulate the flow of gasoline at the pump and when disabled, allow criminals to steal thousands of gallons of fuel undetected. The result has been significant financial losses for gas station owners. 

“SB 988 gives our law enforcement and prosecutors the tools they need to stop these organized fuel theft rings. Just one tanker truck load could cost $35k in stolen fuel, plus the “gang” then “sells” the gas on the grey market,” Bettencourt said. 

Until now, those caught damaging a pulser could only be charged with misdemeanor criminal mischief due to the relatively low cost of repairs, despite the much larger losses associated with stolen fuel. SB 988 remedies that gap by amending the Penal Code to make it a third-degree felony to impair or destroy a retail motor fuel pump or electric vehicle charging station, regardless of the cost of damage. 

“Fuel theft is not petty crime; it’s organized, coordinated, and costly,” Bettencourt said. “In the two years since this bill nearly passed unanimously, we took testimony that these organized crime rings are buying these pulser disrupters online for $200 apiece, meaning this indeed is organized crime at a large scale.” 

In addition, an amendment by Senator Joan Huffman formally defined “retail motor fuel pump” and “electric vehicle charging station.” 

This is the second time the bill has cleared the Senate. This time, it returns with more urgency. SB 988 now heads to the Texas House. If enacted, the bill will take effect on Sept. 1. 

SOURCE The Office of Senator Paul Bettencourt