AR
Arkansas Senate Bill SB477

Arkansas 2025 Regular Session

Arkansas Senate Bill SB477

Introduced
3/17/25  
Refer
3/17/25  

Caption

To Create The Offense Of Theft Of Equipment Rental Services.

Impact

If enacted, this bill will provide law enforcement and the judicial system with a clear framework for addressing and prosecuting cases of theft related to equipment rental services. This establishes a structured penalty system that categorizes the crime based on the value of the rental services or damage inflicted, classifying offenses into felonies or misdemeanors depending on the severity. Consequently, it may help reduce incidents of exploitation in the rental services industry and provide landlords with a means to pursue restitution for losses incurred.

Summary

Senate Bill 477 seeks to create a new criminal offense within Arkansas law that specifically addresses the theft of equipment rental services. This legislation defines the offense of theft of equipment rental services under a new section in the Arkansas Code, which outlines scenarios in which a person may be charged with this crime. The bill clarifies that unauthorized possession of rented or leased equipment after the rental period has expired constitutes theft, as does damaging such equipment to the extent that it cannot be rented without repair.

Contention

While the bill aims to protect equipment rental companies, it could spur debates about the fairness of its enforcement, especially regarding distinguishing between genuine mistakes and theft. The structured penalties may be viewed as overly punitive by some stakeholders, particularly if small rental businesses or individual renters are unable to absorb the financial burdens imposed by severe penalties for unintentional breaches. Furthermore, the requirement for restitution could be a point of contention, as it places an additional financial obligation on those convicted, which might disproportionately affect lower-income renters.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

AR SB552

To Create The Offense Of Capital Rape.

AR SB495

To Create The Protect Arkansas Act; To Amend Arkansas Law Concerning Sentencing And Parole; To Amend Arkansas Law Concerning Certain Criminal Offenses; And To Create The Legislative Recidivism Reduction Task Force.

AR HB1365

To Amend The Law Concerning Records Maintained By Scrap Metal Recyclers; And To Create Offenses For Theft Of A Catalytic Converter And Unauthorized Possession Of A Catalytic Converter.

AR HB1573

To Amend The Law Concerning The Arkansas Real Estate Commission; To Create A Property Management Broker And Property Management Associate License; And To Amend The Real Estate License Law.

AR HB1647

To Create The Offense Of Offensive Relations With A Child; And To Declare An Emergency.

AR SB238

To Create The Offense Of Aggravated Trespass; And To Make Technical Corrections.

AR SJR12

A Constitutional Amendment To Create An Implied Warranty Of Habitability And Provide Protections To Arkansas Tenants.

AR SB81

To Amend The Law Concerning Libraries And Obscene Materials; To Create The Offense Of Furnishing A Harmful Item To A Minor; And To Amend The Law Concerning Obscene Materials Loaned By A Library.

AR SB518

To Amend The Medicaid Fraud Act And The Medicaid Fraud False Claims Act; And To Update Language And Definitions To Reflect Changes Within The Healthcare System;.

AR HB1359

To Abolish Certain Boards; To Create The Arkansas State Board Of Mental Health Professionals; And To Declare An Emergency.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.