Bill Text: TX HB1826 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Relating to the establishment of an organized retail theft task force.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)

Status: (Passed) 2023-06-09 - Effective on 9/1/23 [HB1826 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB1826-Introduced.html
  88R7266 SHH-D
 
  By: Turner H.B. No. 1826
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of an organized retail theft task
  force.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 403, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 403.0302 to read as follows:
         Sec. 403.0302.  ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT TASK FORCE. (a)  In
  this section, "organized retail theft" means conduct constituting
  an offense under Section 31.16, Penal Code.
         (b)  The comptroller shall appoint a task force to study and
  make recommendations related to preventing organized retail theft
  in this state.
         (c)  The task force must include:
               (1)  at least one representative working in a physical
  retail location;
               (2)  at least one representative from an online
  retailer; and
               (3)  representatives from local, state, and federal law
  enforcement agencies.
         (d)  The comptroller shall designate a member of the task
  force as the presiding officer.
         (e)  The task force shall meet at least quarterly at the call
  of the presiding officer.
         (f)  The task force shall conduct an ongoing study of
  organized retail theft in this state. In conducting the study the
  task force shall:
               (1)  review laws and regulations addressing organized
  retail theft in other jurisdictions, including international
  political and economic organizations;
               (2)  analyze:
                     (A)  the impact of organized retail theft on the
  collection of sales tax;
                     (B)  the long-term economic impacts of organized
  retail theft; and
                     (C)  the advantages and disadvantages of taking
  various actions to reduce organized retail theft; and
               (3)  make recommendations regarding organized retail
  theft outreach and prevention programs, including coordination
  among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
         (g)  In conducting the study under Subsection (f), the task
  force may consult with any organization, governmental entity, or
  person the task force considers necessary.
         (h)  Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year,
  the task force shall prepare and submit a report of the study
  conducted under Subsection (f) to the governor, the lieutenant
  governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the
  comptroller, and each standing committee of the legislature with
  primary jurisdiction over criminal justice matters. The report
  must include legislative and other recommendations to increase
  transparency, improve security, enhance consumer protections,
  prevent organized retail theft, and address the long-term economic
  impact of organized retail theft.
         (i)  Chapter 2110 does not apply to the duration of the task
  force or to the designation of the task force's presiding officer.
         SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the comptroller of public accounts shall appoint the
  organized retail theft task force as required by Section 403.0302,
  Government Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
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