By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1871
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of the offense of theft of petroleum
products.
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. (a) In this
section, "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) Appropriation of a petroleum product is unlawful if it
is without the owner's effective consent.
(d) An offense under this section is:
(1) a state jail felony if the total value of the
petroleum product appropriated is less than $10,000;
(2) a felony of the third degree if the total value of
the petroleum product 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 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 appropriated is $300,000 or more.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.