§227.  Identification number, personal property, alteration or removal prohibited

A.  No person shall cover, remove, deface, alter, or destroy the manufacturer's number or any other distinguishing number or identification mark on any pipeline or oil and gas equipment for the purpose of concealing or misrepresenting its identity; nor shall any person knowingly buy, sell, receive, dispose of, conceal, or knowingly have in his possession any pipeline or oil and gas equipment from or on which the manufacturer's number or any other distinguishing number or identification mark has been covered, removed, defaced, altered, or destroyed, for the purpose of concealing or misrepresenting its identity.  

B.  The following definitions shall apply for the purpose of this Section, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(1)  "Pipeline equipment" means all pipe, fittings, pumps, telephone and telegraph lines, and all other material and equipment used or intended to be used as part of or incident to the construction, maintenance, and operation of a pipeline for the transportation of oil, gas, water, or other liquid or gaseous substance.  

(2)  "Oil and gas equipment" means equipment and materials that are part of or incident to the development, maintenance, and operation of oil and gas properties, and includes equipment and materials that are part of or incident to the construction, maintenance, and operation of oil and gas wells, oil and gas leases, gasoline plants, and refineries.  

C.  Whoever violates this Section shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than twelve months, or both; and in default of fine, shall be imprisoned for not more than twelve additional months.  

Added by Acts 1979, No. 251, §1.