By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1871
(In the Senate - Filed March 10, 2017; March 23, 2017, read
first time and referred to Committee on Natural Resources &
Economic Development; April 12, 2017, reported favorably by the
following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 1; April 12, 2017, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of the offense of petroleum product or oil
and gas equipment theft.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 31, Penal Code, is amended by adding
Section 31.19 to read as follows:
Sec. 31.19. THEFT OF PETROLEUM PRODUCT OR OIL AND GAS
EQUIPMENT. (a) In this section:
(1) "Oil and gas equipment" means machinery, drilling
equipment, welding equipment, pipe, fittings, pumps, vehicles, or
other equipment used in the drilling or maintenance of oil and gas
wells, in the production of oil and gas, or to transport petroleum
products.
(2) "Petroleum product" means crude oil, natural gas,
or condensate.
(b) A person commits an offense if the person unlawfully
appropriates a petroleum product with intent to deprive the owner
of the petroleum product by:
(1) possessing, removing, delivering, receiving,
purchasing, selling, moving, concealing, or transporting the
petroleum product; or
(2) making or causing a connection to be made with, or
drilling or tapping or causing a hole to be drilled or tapped in, a
pipe, pipeline, or tank used to store or transport a petroleum
product.
(c) A person commits an offense if the person unlawfully
appropriates oil and gas equipment with intent to deprive the owner
of the oil and gas equipment.
(d) Appropriation of a petroleum product or oil and gas
equipment is unlawful if it is without the owner's effective
consent.
(e) An offense under this section is:
(1) a state jail felony if the total value of the
petroleum product or oil and gas equipment appropriated is less
than $10,000;
(2) a felony of the third degree if the total value of
the petroleum product or oil and gas equipment appropriated is
$10,000 or more but less than $100,000;
(3) a felony of the second degree if the total value of
the petroleum product or oil and gas equipment appropriated is
$100,000 or more but less than $300,000; or
(4) a felony of the first degree if the total value of
the petroleum product or oil and gas equipment appropriated is
$300,000 or more.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
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