WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

2023 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

House Bill 3355

By Delegate Tully

[Introduced February 10, 2023; Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §61-3-17, relating to criminalizing the unlawful operation of a bulldozer or heavy equipment.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 3. CRIMES against property.

§61-3-17. Unlawful operation of a bulldozer or heavy equipment.

A person who unlawfully operates any bulldozer or heavy machinery of another with the intention of depriving the other person of the bulldozer or heavy machinery, regardless of the manner in which the bulldozer or heavy machinery is taken or appropriated, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be confined in jail not more than one year or fined not more than $2,500, or both.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to is criminalize the unlawful operation of a bulldozer or heavy machinery.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.