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Committee approves theft-of-critical‑infrastructure bill after technical amendment expanding covered equipment
Summary
Senate Bill 22, aimed at criminalizing theft of critical infrastructure materials including copper and communications equipment, was reported as amended; the committee added an expanded definition of covered communications equipment.
Senate Bill 22, carried by Sen. Hodges, would create a new theft offense focused on critical infrastructure targets — notably copper wiring, data centers and components used in communications networks. The Criminal Justice Committee unanimously adopted a technical amendment clarifying and broadening the definition of covered communications equipment and then voted to report the bill favorably.
Sen. Hodges and multiple industry witnesses described rising thefts of copper and components that disrupt railways, broadcast services and telecommunications. Supporters included utility companies, the Louisiana Sheriffs Association, chiefs of police and communications providers. An amendment reorganized the statute’s definition of critical infrastructure to explicitly list broadcast television equipment, video equipment, fiber-optic lines and related transmission wires.
Witnesses said the bill addresses an industry problem tied to global commodity prices and organized theft; committee members moved it forward without recorded opposition.
