Committee unanimously passes bill making large-scale grain theft a felony

The Committee on Judiciary voted unanimously to pass House Bill 24-22, which raises theft of grain to a level 6 non-person felony when it involves at least 400 bushels of enumerated grains.

Jason Thompson (Revisor’s Office) told the committee the bill defines 'grain' to mean at least 400 bushels of certain enumerated grains and clarified that oil seeds referenced in the bill include soybeans, flaxseed, canola and sunflower seed; he noted the definition does not include hemp. Representative Carmichael said he supported the bill for the committee's purposes, describing grain as a fungible product that can be concealed and thus merits different treatment than other types of theft.

Representative Williams moved to pass HB 24-22 favorably and the committee voted by voice. The chair declared the vote unanimous and said the bill "passes." The transcript does not record a roll-call tally.