85R13771 JXC-F
 
  By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1871
 
 
 
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.