Bill > HB317

This bill expands the existing law against damaging or trespassing on public services or utilities to include the intentional destruction or damage of any fixture, equipment, or information technology system used to provide, process, transmit, or maintain public services, public utilities, or other critical infrastructure, which refers to essential facilities and systems vital to the nation's security, economy, public health, or safety as defined in other laws. The bill clarifies that this applies to services like oil, telephone, electric, gas, sewer, wastewater, cable television, broadband, and water, and also explicitly includes "critical infrastructure" as defined in a specific section of the Code of Virginia. Penalties remain the same, with a Class 4 felony for significant damage and a Class 3 misdemeanor for damage costing less than $1,000 to repair, and enhanced penalties for actions that threaten the release of radioactive materials or ionizing radiation. This legislation incorporates changes from another bill, HB 769, and includes technical amendments to the existing law.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB317