[§708-835.8]  Theft of beer keg.  (1)  A
person commits the offense of theft of beer keg if the person commits theft of
a beer keg.



(2)  For the purposes of this section,
"beer keg" means a metal container used to hold five gallons or more
of liquid that is stamped, engraved, stenciled, or otherwise marked with the
name of a brewery manufacturer; provided that a deposit beverage container, as
defined under section 342G-101, shall not be considered a beer keg.



(3)  Theft of beer keg is a misdemeanor. [L 2008,
c 53, §§1, 6; am L 2009, c 44, §2]



 



Cross References



 



  Scrap dealer requirements, see §§445-231 to 235.



 



COMMENTARY ON §708-835.8



 



  Act 53, Session Laws 2008, added this section, establishing
the misdemeanor offense of theft of a beer keg.  Metal beer kegs were being
stolen at escalating rates, largely because they can be redeemed for fast cash
at scrap dealerships.  House Standing Committee Report Nos. 1113-08 and
1671-08.



  Act 44, Session Laws 2009, made permanent the prohibition
against stealing beer kegs and the documentation requirements for scrap metal
dealers.  The legislature found that the prohibitions, record-keeping
requirements, and penalties in the current law had proven effective at
deterring the theft of beer kegs and should be made permanent.  Senate Standing
Committee Report No. 1240.