INCREASE PENALTIES/UTILITIES THEFT (NEW).

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View NCGA Bill Details2013-2014 Session
Senate Bill 634 (Public) Filed Tuesday, April 2, 2013
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO INCREASE THE CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR INTERFERENCE WITH GAS, WATER, OR ELECTRIC LINES.
Intro. by Newton.

Status: Ch. SL 2013-88 (Senate Action) (Jun 12 2013)

SOG comments (1):

Long title change

Senate committee substitute to the first edition changed the long title. Original long title was A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO INCREASE THE CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR NATURAL GAS THEFT.

 
 

Bill History:

S 634/S.L. 2013-88

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: Jun 13 2013 - View Summary

    A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO INCREASE THE CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR INTERFERENCE WITH GAS, WATER, OR ELECTRIC LINES. Enacted June 14, 2013. Effective December 1, 2013.

     
     

  • Summary date: May 2 2013 - View Summary

    Senate committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes.

    Amends GS 14-151 to make all violations of the statute punishable as follows [was, specified different punishments for violations of (1)-(8) and (9)-(10)]: violations are a Class 1 misdemeanor; second and subsequent violations are a Class H felony; violation resulting in significant property damage or public endangerment is a Class F felony; unless covered under some other provision providing for a greater punishment, a violation that results in the death of another is a Class D felony. Makes technical changes.

    Amends the act's titles.


  • Summary date: Apr 3 2013 - View Summary

    Amends GS 14-151 to provide that it is unlawful to willfully, with the intent to injure or defraud, commit any of the acts listed in subdivisions (1) through (10) of subsection (a) of GS 14-151. Amends this section to include "bypass" and "tamper with" as unlawful activities under this section. Provides that the prohibitions against any person, other than an employee of the company owning or supplying a gas, water, or electric meter, whoobstructs, alters, bypasses, tampers with, or in any way interferes with the operation of a meter or other measuring instrument apply to water as well as natural gas, illuminating fuel, or electricity. Also clarifies that it is unlawful to connect or reconnect water pipes as well as gas mains, service pipes, or wires that furnish natural or artificial gas, water, or electricity to consumers. Adds that it is unlawful to reconnect or otherwise turn back on one or more of electric, gas, or water utilities after they have been lawfully disconnected or turned off by the utility provider. Provides that it is unlawful to alter, bypass, interfere with, or cut off any load management device installed by the electricity supplier for the purpose of limiting the use of electricity during the peak load period.

    Defines gas for the purposes of this section to mean all types and forms of gas, including, but not limited to, natural gas. Provides that any violation of subdivisions (1) through (8) of subsection (a) is a Class F felony. Makes a violation of subdivisions (9) or (10) of subsection (a) of GS 14-151 (1) a Class 1 misdemeanor for a first offense, (2) a Class H felony for a second offense,(3) a Class G felony for a third offense, (4) a Class Ffelony for an offense resulting in significant property damage or public endangerment, and (5) a Class D felony for an offense that results in the death of another unless the conduct is covered under some other provision of law.

    Provides that a violator of any provision of this section is liable for triple the amount of losses and damages sustained by the electric, gas, or water supplier or $5,000 (was, $500), whichever is greater.

    Repeals GS 14-151.1 (regarding interfering with gas, electric, and water meters).

    Effective December 1, 2013, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.


  • Summary date: Apr 2 2013 - View Summary

    To be summarized.