Bill > SB371

This bill establishes two new criminal offenses related to damaging critical infrastructure facilities, creating first-degree and second-degree criminal property damage charges. First-degree criminal property damage occurs when someone intentionally damages a critical infrastructure facility without consent, either by causing over $20,000 in damage and substantial impairment or by using a firearm, drone, or explosive weapon to cause substantial impairment, which would be classified as a class A felony. Second-degree criminal property damage involves intentionally damaging a critical infrastructure facility without consent and causing substantial impairment, which would be a class B felony. The bill defines key terms such as "critical infrastructure facility" (which includes broadband and cable networks), "drone" (a remotely controlled or autonomous device), "explosive weapon" (devices designed to cause serious injury or damage), and "substantial impairment" (disruption lasting two hours or affecting at least 1,000 customers). These new provisions aim to protect essential infrastructure by creating specific criminal penalties for intentional damage, with more severe consequences for more significant or technologically sophisticated attacks.