The Texas Automobile Theft Prevention Authority (ATPA) was established by the 72nd Texas Legislature in 1991 to create a statewide effort to reduce auto theft. In 2007, the 80th Legislature amended the ATPA mission through H.B. 1887 to include emphasis on vehicle burglary in addition to theft. The resulting agency, known as the Texas Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority (ABTPA), is charged with assessing the automobile burglary, automobile theft, and economic automobile theft (burglary or theft committed for financial gain) problems in Texas and providing financial support to combat those problems.

ABTPA supports a statewide network through grants, theft reduction initiatives, and public awareness/education. Since 1991, ABTPA has funded and managed 485 grants totaling $184,322,111.

In 2009, ABTPA became a part of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.