Senate Bill No. 22, introduced by Senator Hodges, aims to establish the crime of theft of critical infrastructure in Louisiana. The bill defines theft of critical infrastructure as the misappropriation, taking, or illegal possession of critical infrastructure with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of it. The legislation outlines specific penalties based on the value of the stolen infrastructure, with fines and imprisonment terms varying according to the severity of the offense. For thefts valued under $25,000, offenders may face fines up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to 15 years. For thefts valued at $25,000 or more, the penalties increase to fines of up to $50,000 and imprisonment for up to 20 years. Additionally, if the theft poses a foreseeable threat to human life, the same penalties apply.

The bill also mandates that offenders must make full restitution to the victims, with provisions for a periodic payment plan if the offender is indigent. The effective date for this legislation is set for August 1, 2025. Notably, the bill replaces previous language regarding the theft of utility property with the new provisions concerning critical infrastructure, ensuring that the law is updated to address this specific type of theft comprehensively.