CONVERSION OF PROPERTY IN CUSTODY OF RAILROAD COMPANY

(a) A railroad company in this state or a receiver of a railroad company in this state may not confiscate or otherwise convert to the company's or receiver's own use, in whole or in substantial part, a carload shipment of any article or commodity of freight traffic received by the company or receiver for transportation and delivery without the express consent of the owner or consignee of the shipment. (b) An act of an agent, officer, or employee of a railroad company or receiver under this section that is within the apparent scope of the agent's, officer's, or employee's duties or authority with respect to the confiscation or conversion is considered to be an act of the company or receiver. (c) This section does not apply to a conversion of freight that has been damaged or intermingled with other freight in wrecks, or to refused or unclaimed freight, that the railroad is unable to deliver. (d) In addition to all other remedies or penalties that may be provided by law, a railroad company or receiver that violates this section is subject to: (1) a penalty in favor of the state of not less than $125 or more than $500; and (2) an additional penalty in favor of the owner or consignee of the converted shipment equal to twice the amount of the purchase price of the converted shipment.