MS HB1263

Creates the crime of cargo theft for unlawfully taking vehicles engaged in commercial transportation, trailers, semitrailers, containers, or cargo being transported

Establishes tiered penalties for cargo theft based on property value: misdemeanor for $1,000 or less; 1-10 years imprisonment and $10,000-$100,000 fine for $1,000-$10,000; 5-20 years and $50,000-$1,000,000 fine for $10,000-$1,000,000; 10-20 years and $100,000-$1,000,000 fine for $1,000,000 or more

Imposes enhanced penalties when stolen cargo includes controlled substances, with imprisonment up to 30 years and fines up to $1,000,000 for substances valued at $1,000,000 or more

Makes it a crime to modify, alter, sell, or possess a fifth wheel device (truck coupling mechanism) with intent to commit cargo theft, punishable by 1-10 years imprisonment and $10,000-$100,000 fine

Adds special penalty of 1-10 years imprisonment for theft of law enforcement trailers, containers, or associated equipment regardless of value, effective July 1, 2015