Relating to the financial crimes intelligence center, the official text

H.B. No. 201

AN ACT

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.

______________________________
______________________________

President of the Senate
Speaker of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 201 was passed by the House on April

30, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 123, Nays 15, 2 present, not

voting.

______________________________

Chief Clerk of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 201 was passed by the Senate on May

26, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________

Secretary of the Senate

APPROVED: _____________________

Date

_____________________

Governor