SB 22 Louisiana Senate · 2025 Regular Session

THEFT: Creates the crime of theft of critical infrastructure. (8/1/25) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

SB 22 creates a new criminal offense for stealing critical infrastructure, such as power lines, water systems, or communication networks. It defines this theft as taking or illegally possessing infrastructure valued at $25,000 or more (with harsher penalties for higher value), or where human life is likely threatened. Offenders face fines up to $50,000 or 20 years in prison, plus mandatory restitution to victims. The bill directly affects individuals who steal such infrastructure and the entities (like utility companies) that own it, building on existing theft laws (R.S. 14:69(A)) without changing general theft definitions.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

Senate Passage

May 2025

House Passage

May 2025

Signed into Law

Jun 2025

Introduced Mar 28, 2025 Signed Jun 4, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB22 Original → SB22 Act · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was updated from a draft to an enrolled act, expanding the scope from 'theft of utility property' to the broader 'theft of critical infrastructure.' The definition of protected assets was significantly widened to include chemical plants, power generation, water treatment, natural gas facilities, transportation hubs, and communications networks. Penalties were increased to reflect the higher stakes of these assets, with maximum fines reaching $50,000 and prison sentences up to 20 years, and new provisions were added to mandate full restitution for victims.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from covering only traditional utility services (like gas, water, and electricity) to encompassing a comprehensive list of critical infrastructure sectors, including transportation, communications, and chemical facilities.

DEFINITION

The definition of protected property was broadened from 'utility property' to 'critical infrastructure,' explicitly adding chemical plants, electrical power facilities, water treatment, natural gas terminals, transportation facilities, and wireline/wireless communications.

ENFORCEMENT

Penalties were increased to match the severity of the new scope; maximum fines rose to $50,000 and maximum prison time to 20 years for high-value thefts or cases threatening human life.

REQUIREMENT

A new requirement was added mandating that offenders must make full restitution to the victim, with court-ordered payment plans available for indigent defendants.

TECHNICAL

The bill text was finalized from a draft version, adding co-sponsors, updating the session status to 'Enrolled,' and renumbering sections to align with the final legislative act.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 28, 2025 · House May 27, 2025

How they voted

36–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 37

Apr 28, 2025

D Democratic11

11 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican26

25 Yea 1

96% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Amendments proposed by the House read and concurred in by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays.

upper

May 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 98, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

lower

May 15, 2025

Introduced

Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.

lower

May 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported with amendments (10-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

lower

Apr 29, 2025

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.

lower

Apr 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Read by title, passed by a vote of 38 yeas and 0 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported with amendments.

upper

Apr 14, 2025

Committee

Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary C.

upper

1 primary · 12 co-sponsors