Signed by Governor Greg Abbott

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report that increases penalties for pipeline protesting.

Highlights:

• Prohibits an individual from damaging, destroying, vandalizing, defacing, or tampering with equipment in a critical infrastructure facility (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits an individual from interfering, inhibiting, impeding, or preventing, the construction or repair of a critical infrastructure facility and specifies any violation will result in a class A misdemeanor (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that individuals who intentionally violate this act will be guilty of a third degree felony and individuals that knowingly or recklessly violate this act of a state jail felony (Sec. 1).

• Requires an organization that has pled guilty or been convicted of a violation for conspiring with an individual who has been convicted or pled guilty to the above mentioned violations, to pay a fine not exceeding $500,000 (Sec. 1).

• Defines “critical infrastructure facility” as the following, including (Sec. 1):

• Any pipeline transporting oil, gas, or other products or constituents; or

• A facility or pipeline under construction and all equipment and appurtenances used during that construction.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report that increases penalties for pipeline protesting.

Highlights:

• Prohibits an individual from damaging, destroying, vandalizing, defacing, or tampering with equipment in a critical infrastructure facility (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits an individual from interfering, inhibiting, impeding, or preventing, the construction or repair of a critical infrastructure facility and specifies any violation will result in a class A misdemeanor (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that individuals who intentionally violate this act will be guilty of a third degree felony and individuals that knowingly or recklessly violate this act of a state jail felony (Sec. 1).

• Requires an organization that has pled guilty or been convicted of a violation for conspiring with an individual who has been convicted or pled guilty to the above mentioned violations, to pay a fine not exceeding $500,000 (Sec. 1).

• Defines “critical infrastructure facility” as the following, including (Sec. 1):

• Any pipeline transporting oil, gas, or other products or constituents; or

• A facility or pipeline under construction and all equipment and appurtenances used during that construction.

Full Bill Text