AI-assisted research summary: The center may work with government agencies and may provide assistance, training, outreach, and information sharing; it must assist listed agencies and merchants in developing strategies to address payment fraud, skimmers, card fraud, motor fuel manipulation devices, and motor fuel theft.
Sec. 426.054. POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The center may collaborate with federal, state, and local governmental agencies to accomplish the purposes of the center. Text of subsection as amended by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 17 (S.B. 1499), Sec. 1 (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) prevent and respond to payment fraud; (2) detect skimmers; and (3) ensure an effective response if a skimmer is found. Text of subsection as amended by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 542 (H.B. 201), Sec. 3 (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 payment 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. (d) For purposes of Subsection (c)(4), information is considered sensitive to law enforcement if the information could cause harm to law enforcement activities or jeopardize an investigation or operation if disclosed. Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 863 (H.B. 2945), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2019. Transferred, redesignated and amended by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 336 (H.B. 2106), Sec. 11, eff. September 1, 2021. Transferred, redesignated and amended from Occupations Code, Chapter 2312 by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 17 (S.B. 1499), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025. Amended by: Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 542 (H.B. 201), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2025.