The proposed bill introduces a new crime, the misappropriation of petroleum products or oil and gas equipment, which is defined in a newly enacted section of the Criminal Code (Section 30-16-49 NMSA 1978). This crime includes various actions such as taking control of these products or equipment without the owner's consent, transporting unidentified petroleum products to waste facilities, and purchasing from unauthorized sellers. Penalties for this crime are tiered based on the value of the misappropriated items, ranging from a fourth-degree felony for amounts of $500 or less to a second-degree felony for amounts exceeding $2,500. Additionally, if an individual commits this crime multiple times within a six-month period, they can be charged either separately for each incident or collectively based on the total value misappropriated.

Furthermore, the bill amends the definition of "racketeering" in the Racketeering Act to include the misappropriation of petroleum products or oil and gas equipment, thereby expanding the scope of offenses that can be prosecuted under this law. This addition aims to strengthen legal measures against such crimes and enhance penalties for offenders. The bill emphasizes the seriousness of these offenses and aims to deter illegal activities related to petroleum and gas resources in New Mexico.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 30-42-3