2002-01-16                     House Journal                      Page 1978
HB 328                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 328 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             

2002-01-16                     House Journal                      Page 1979
     "An Act relating to the crimes of damaging an oil or gas pipeline                              
     or supporting facility, criminal mischief, and terroristic                                     
     threatening; making conforming amendments; and providing for                                   
     an effective date."                                                                            
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary Committee.                                    
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
1.  Zero, Dept. of Administration                                                                   
2.  Zero, Dept. of Law                                                                              
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 14, 2002, appears                                   
below:                                                                                              
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Porter:                                                                               
                                                                                                    
I am transmitting a bill that would increase the criminal penalties for                             
certain acts of terrorism and would prohibit the mailing of imitation                               
substances with the intent to frighten people or cause other specified                              
harm.  This proposal is part of a package of six bills I am presenting to                           
the Legislature today regarding terrorism prevention and emergency                                  
response.                                                                                           
                                                                                                    
The bill proposes the following criminal penalties:                                                 
     · Intentional damage of an oil or gas pipeline or supporting                                   
         facility would be raised to a class A felony (from the current                             
         class B felony);                                                                           
     · Unlawful tampering with an oil or gas pipeline or supporting                                 
         facility would be raised to a class B felony (from a class C                               
         felony);                                                                                   
     · Unlawful tampering with an airplane or helicopter would be                                   
         raised to a class B felony (from a class C felony);                                        
     · Unlawful tampering with water, including a public or private                                 
         water supply, with intent to cause physical injury would be                                
         the same level of crime as tampering with a food, drug, or                                 
         cosmetic - a class B felony;                                                               
     · Sending or attempting to send an imitation biological or                                     
         chemical substance with intent to frighten people or cause                                 
         other specified harm would be a class B felony.  (Current law                              

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         provides for either a class C felony or no criminal charge,                                
         depending on the circumstances.);                                                          
     · Making a false report under certain circumstances regarding                                  
         the sending or presence of a harmful biological or chemical                                
         substance, or a false report threatening damage to an oil or gas                           
         pipeline or supporting facility would be established as a class                            
         C felony.                                                                                  
                                                                                                    
It is unfortunate that recent tragedies and ensuing upheavals in our                                
country make these measures very important.  I urge your prompt and                                 
favorable action on this bill.                                                                      
                                                                                                    
                                 Sincerely,                                                        
                                 /s/                                                                
                                 Tony Knowles                                                       
                                  Governor"