Representatives of the utility industry overwhelmingly expressed support Thursday for a bill (HB 191) that would toughen penalties for large thefts of electricity, before the measure was approved by the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee.
Theft of power is a growing problem, said bill sponsor Rep. Dan Raulerson, R-Plant City.
The bill allows penalties to increase based on the amount of electricity stolen.
Currently it’s a first degree misdemeanor, no matter how much is stolen. The bill was approved 12-1 with the lone “no” vote coming from Rep. Randolph Bracy, D-Orlando, who questioned whether the theft of $300 worth of electricity should result in a felony that would remain on someone’s record indefinitely.
