State lawmakers advance legislation to increase penalties for theft, trafficking marijuana

State lawmakers are advancing some bills that would increase certain penalties. 

House Bill 1689: Penalizing stealing shopping carts

“This bill creates a specific offense for larceny of a shopping cart, which is punishable by the 3 options that are given,” said Sen. Jack Stewart (R), Yukon.

1. HB 1689 provides that it is unlawful to remove a shopping cart from the parking area of a retail establishment.
2. The crime would be punishable by either a $500 fine, a year in county jail, or up to 30 hours of community service.
3. The bill is authored by Rep. Worthen in the State House and Sen. Stewart in the State Senate.
4. The legislation passed the Senate Public Safety Committee with a vote of 6-2. It now heads to the full Senate for consideration.
5. The bill's authors say this could deter the theft of shopping carts and protect retail establishments and businesses.

“One of our local Wal-Mart's had to replace between 1,000 and 1,200 per year at a cost between $235-$250 per cart,” said Sen. Stewart.

House Bill 1163: Lowering the threshold for aggravated trafficking of marijuana 

1. HB 1163 lowers the threshold of marijuana that is considered an aggravated trafficking offense under the Trafficking in Illegal Drugs Act from 1,000 pounds to 25 or more pounds.
2. The offense would be punishable by a fine ranging from $100,000 to $500,000.
3. The bill is authored by Rep. Tom Gann in the State House and Sen. Shane Jett in the State Senate.
4. The legislation passed the Senate Public Safety committee with a vote of 6-2. It now heads to the full senate for consideration.

“What we're trying to do is get ahead of the organized crime and the cartels that are here,” said Sen. Shane Jett (R), Shawnee.