H.B. No. 3707 aims to enhance regulations surrounding the inspection, purchase, sale, possession, storage, transportation, and disposal of petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, and oil and gas waste. The bill introduces new provisions, including Article 47.13 in the Code of Criminal Procedure, which defines "petroleum product" as crude oil or condensate and outlines procedures for law enforcement officers to sell stolen petroleum products at market prices. Additionally, it amends Article 47.07 to allow the real owner of sold property to recover proceeds under specified terms. The bill also establishes a new section in the Government Code that permits trained officers to conduct inspections of cargo tanks transporting petroleum products and to collect samples for forensic analysis.

Furthermore, the bill amends the Penal Code to create new criminal offenses related to the theft of petroleum products and oil and gas equipment, increasing penalties based on the value of the stolen items. It specifies that unauthorized disposal of oil and gas waste without a permit from the Railroad Commission constitutes a criminal offense, with penalties escalating based on the value of the waste disposed of. The changes in law will apply only to offenses committed on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 31.19, Water Code 27.031 (Penal Code 31, Water Code 27)
House Committee Report: Penal Code 31.19, Water Code 27.031 (Penal Code 31, Water Code 27)