Office of the Attorney General and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Announce Partnership to Protect Motor Fuel Consumers from Unsafe or Low Quality Fuels

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) and the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) today announced their offices are partnering to protect consumers from the sale of contaminated or inferior quality motor vehicle fuel. By aggressively leveraging the respective authorities and resources of both agencies, TDLR and OAG are able to provide an interim solution easing the transition of the Motor Fuel Program from the Texas Department of Agriculture to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

“Protecting consumers from unscrupulous trade practices is one of the primary functions of my office,” Attorney General Ken Paxton said. “Texans rely on their vehicles every day, and they deserve to know the fuel they buy is safe and of the advertised quality. We are proud to partner with TDLR to provide the people of Texas with that peace of mind.”

“The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation looks forward to enhancing our consumer protection powers by combining forces with the Texas Attorney General. Texas consumers can rest easy knowing that we are teaming together to defend them from deceptive trade practices,” said Brian E. Francis, executive director.

Under the terms of the partnership, which is still being formalized, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation will handle the retrieval and testing of fuel samples, while the Office of the Attorney General will investigate and pursue consumer complaints related to fuel quality.