motor fuel theft; classifications
Arizona's SB 1540 defines specific acts as theft of motor fuel and sets criminal penalties. It directly affects individuals who breach fuel dispensers, possess fraud devices, tamper with dispenser components, or electronically manipulate dispensers. The bill classifies these acts as felonies: a class 6 felony for breaching dispensers or possessing devices (class 5 if fuel is obtained), and a class 5 felony for tampering or electronic manipulation. Penalties increase based on whether fuel is obtained during the violation.
Bill status
passed both
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Failed
Jun 2026
Governor
Introduced Feb 2, 2026
Last action Jun 9, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
Introduced Version
→
House Engrossed Version (06/09/2026)
·
3 edits
·
Feb 26, 2026
MINOR
The bill was reclassified from an Introduced Version to a House Engrossed Version, indicating it has passed initial review. The most significant substantive change involves tightening the definition of theft by merging two separate acts into one: accessing a fuel dispenser and possessing a device to manipulate it are now treated as a single offense. Additionally, the penalty thresholds were adjusted; obtaining more than fifty gallons of fuel now triggers a higher felony charge, and the specific penalties for tampering and electronic interference were renumbered to reflect the merged definition.
Scope change
The scope of the offense was narrowed by removing a standalone charge for merely possessing a manipulation device, instead making possession part of the act of accessing the dispenser. The applicability of the enhanced felony penalty was expanded to cover any theft resulting in over fifty gallons of fuel.
REQUIREMENT
Merged the act of possessing a manipulation device with the act of accessing a fuel dispenser into a single continuous offense, removing them as separate categories.
ENFORCEMENT
Adjusted the felony classification threshold for obtaining motor fuel from an unspecified amount to a specific limit of more than fifty gallons.
Renumbered the penalty subsections to reflect the removal of the standalone possession charge, shifting penalties for tampering and electronic interference.
Floor votes · House Jun 9, 2026
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
14
Key actions
8
Committee
1
Amendments
3
Jun 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
PASSED
lower
Jun 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
DPA
lower
Jun 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
PASSED
lower
Apr 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
DPA
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
DPA
lower
Feb 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
DP
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
DP
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Kevin Payne
RRepublican
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