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Bill

SB 988

Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for the offense of criminal mischief involving impairment of a motor fuel pump or electric vehicle charging station.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Paul Bettencourt

SB 988 increases criminal penalties for damaging motor fuel pumps and EV charging stations to deter infrastructure sabotage, but failed committee votes in May 2025.

Failed to receive affirmative vote in comm.
#crimes--againstproperty(i0175) #criminalprocedure--sentencing&punishment(i0205)
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 988

Legislative bill overview

SB 988 would increase criminal penalties for damaging motor fuel pumps or electric vehicle charging stations, upgrading the offense from standard criminal mischief to a more serious classification. The bill aims to deter deliberate sabotage of energy infrastructure by imposing harsher consequences for tampering with these facilities.

Why is this important

Fuel pump and EV charging station vandalism can disrupt transportation infrastructure, create public safety hazards, and impose significant costs on property owners and communities. As EV infrastructure expands, protecting these facilities from intentional damage becomes increasingly relevant to maintaining reliable transportation access.

Potential points of contention

  • Proportionality debate: Whether damage to fuel/charging infrastructure warrants substantially higher penalties compared to similar property damage crimes
  • Definitional clarity: Questions about what specific acts constitute this offense and whether the language could inadvertently capture non-malicious actions
  • Enforcement concerns: How law enforcement would investigate and prove intent to impair these specific facilities versus general vandalism

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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