Sponsor
Tony Gonzales
Representative · R-TX
Representative · R-TX
The bill directs modest federal funding and grant flexibility to strengthen coordination, investigations, and penalties against Permian Basin oil theft—improving detection and deterrence for local communities and infrastructure at the expense of modest taxpayer costs, risks to civil liberties and equity, and potential diversion of broader public-safety grant dollars.
Residents, businesses, and public infrastructure in the Permian Basin and nearby communities will likely see improved detection, investigation, and prosecution of oil theft — reducing theft, property loss, and supply disruptions.
State, local, and Tribal jurisdictions can access dedicated federal funding and existing Byrne JAG grant authority to hire investigators and start prevention programs quickly, increasing local enforcement capacity without creating a new federal program.
People harmed by interstate or transported stolen goods and the broader public may gain stronger protection because longer maximum penalties (up to 15 years) increase deterrence against theft and trafficking.
Longer maximum sentences for offenders will likely increase incarceration rates and associated costs, raising expenditures for taxpayers.
Harsher penalties could exacerbate prison overcrowding and strain federal and state correctional systems, creating operational and budget pressures for government.
Stronger enforcement and higher penalties risk disproportionately affecting disadvantaged and racial/ethnic minority communities who are overrepresented in criminal prosecutions, raising equity and civil‑justice concerns.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Creates an FBI Permian Basin Oil Theft Task Force, raises federal theft-related penalties, and allows Byrne JAG funds to be used to prevent and investigate oil theft.
Official title: To authorize the establishment of a program to combat oil theft in the Permian Basin.
Introduced June 17, 2025 by Tony Gonzales · Last progress June 17, 2025
Creates an FBI Permian Basin Oil Theft Task Force, raises federal criminal penalties for theft and interstate transmission/sale of stolen goods, and allows Byrne JAG grant money to be used to prevent and investigate oil theft. It authorizes a small amount of funding for the FBI task force and requires reporting to the President and key congressional committees within one year and annually thereafter.