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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of the offense of theft of petroleum |
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products. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 31, Penal Code, is amended by adding |
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Section 31.19 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 31.19. THEFT OF PETROLEUM PRODUCT. (a) In this |
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section, "petroleum product" means crude oil, natural gas, or |
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condensate. |
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(b) A person commits an offense if the person unlawfully |
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appropriates a petroleum product with intent to deprive the owner |
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of the petroleum product by: |
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(1) possessing, removing, delivering, receiving, |
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purchasing, selling, moving, concealing, or transporting the |
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petroleum product; or |
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(2) making or causing a connection to be made with, or |
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drilling or tapping or causing a hole to be drilled or tapped in, a |
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pipe, pipeline, or tank used to store or transport a petroleum |
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product. |
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(c) Appropriation of a petroleum product is unlawful if it |
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is without the owner's effective consent. |
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(d) An offense under this section is: |
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(1) a state jail felony if the total value of the |
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petroleum product appropriated is less than $10,000; |
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(2) a felony of the third degree if the total value of |
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the petroleum product appropriated is $10,000 or more but less than |
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$100,000; |
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(3) a felony of the second degree if the total value of |
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the petroleum product appropriated is $100,000 or more but less |
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than $300,000; or |
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(4) a felony of the first degree if the total value of |
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the petroleum product appropriated is $300,000 or more. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |