TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THEFT OF PROPERTY; TO CREATE AN ENHANCED PENALTY FOR THEFT OF CARGO; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

SB 301 amends Arkansas law to create an enhanced penalty for theft of commercial cargo, directly affecting individuals convicted of stealing goods in transit. The bill defines "cargo" as commercial shipments moving between points (excluding direct-to-consumer goods) and adds a 10-year consecutive prison term for such thefts, requiring prosecutors to notify defendants in writing. It also prohibits earned release credits for the enhanced sentence portion. The General Assembly declared an emergency, citing economic harm to businesses from cargo theft. The bill became law (Act 322) on March 18, 2025, after passing the legislature.