Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
Relating to payment card skimmers on motor fuel dispensers;
imposing a civil penalty; creating criminal offenses.
A negative impact of $1,240,000 through the biennium is expected to the state.
HB 2945 requires merchants that have unattended payment terminals for fuel dispensers (gas stations) to follow certain rules and procedures for preventing the installation of credit card skimmers, finding and removing skimmers, reporting discovery of a skimmer, and cooperating with law enforcement in a related investigation.
The bill establishes civil penalties and fines for certain violations of relevant rules.
It would be a third degree felony to dispose of a skimmer if the person knows that an investigation is ongoing or that a criminal proceeding has been commenced and is pending. This is the same level of penalty for destruction of evidence as established in the Penal Code.
Texas Action is neutral on HB 2945 because it does not affect our liberty principles. The state has a legitimate interest in addressing card skimming at gas stations.