2002-01-16                     Senate Journal                      Page 1960
SB 240                                                                                            
SENATE BILL NO. 240 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                   
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                               
                                                                                                    
          "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 State Affairs, Resources and                            
Judiciary Committees.                                                                               
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal information was published today:                                               
 Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Law                                                         
 Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Department of Administration                                              
                                                                                                    
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 14, 2002:                                               
                                                                                                    
Dear President Halford:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
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.                                                                                           
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    

2002-01-16                     Senate Journal                      Page 1961
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                              
          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