Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1956 requires all crafted-precious-metal and secondhand jewelry, electronics, and tools dealers in Harris County to register with the Texas Department of Public Safety, hold purchases for at least seven days, photograph sellers, and upload transaction records to law-enforcement databases.
Texas Occupations Code Sections 1956.001 to 1956.156 govern crafted precious metal dealers and used goods dealers in Harris County. Dealers must register with DPS, record seller name, address, identification number, photograph, thumbprint, and item description for each transaction, and hold purchased items for at least seven days before resale or melt. Records must be reported electronically to law enforcement, typically through the LeadsOnline or Business Watch International systems Harris County Sheriff and Houston Police use. Cities including Houston add their own pawn-and-secondhand-dealer registration with HPD. Harris County does not impose a separate dealer permit but Constable and Sheriff property crime units inspect records and pursue stolen-property cases.
Failure to register, falsifying transaction records, or selling within the seven-day hold period is a Class A misdemeanor under Section 1956.156, with civil forfeiture of unreported stock and license revocation by DPS.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Harris County.
See how La Porte's secondhand dealers rules stack up against other locations.
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