MS HB595

Creates new crime of cargo theft involving unlawful taking or appropriation of vehicles engaged in commercial transportation of cargo, trailers, semitrailers, containers, or their cargo, with penalties based on property value ranging from misdemeanor (≤$1,000) to 10-20 years imprisonment plus fines up to $1,000,000 (≥$1,000,000 value).

Establishes enhanced penalties for cargo theft involving controlled substances: 1-10 years imprisonment and $10,000-$100,000 fines for value <$10,000; 5-25 years and $50,000-$1,000,000 fines for value $10,000-$999,999; 10-30 years and $100,000-$1,000,000 fines for value ≥$1,000,000.

Criminalizes unlawful possession, modification, alteration, or sale of fifth wheel devices (coupling devices on truck tractors) or their antitheft locking devices with intent to commit cargo theft, punishable by 1-10 years imprisonment and $10,000-$100,000 fines.

Requires mandatory suspension of commercial driver's license for cargo theft convictions and restitution for damage to motor vehicles.

Extends cargo theft penalties to theft of law enforcement agency equipment and modifies Section 97-25-25 to apply cargo theft penalties to unlawful seizure of locomotives engaged in commercial cargo transportation; effective July 1, 2016.