SB 187-MOTOR VEHICLE ARSON ON PRIVATE PROPERTY  2:43:52 PM CHAIR MCGUIRE announced the consideration of SB 187. 2:44:06 PM JESSE KIEHL, Staff, Senator Dennis Egan, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, informed the committee that SB 187 closes an interesting oddity in Alaska's arson law. Under existing law, if a person intentionally lights a fire and there is a serious risk of injury to someone, that is arson in the first degree, a class A felony. If a person intentionally burns a building that isn't theirs, that is arson in the second degree, a class B felony. If someone burns a vehicle, whether they own it or not, on city or state land, that is arson in the third degree, a class C felony. But it is not arson if a person burns the boss's car in the company parking lot or an ex's car in her driveway. That is criminal mischief in the third degree. SB 187 fixes that oddity by extending the crime of arson to include burning another person's car, regardless of where it is parked. It will be arson in the third degree, a class C felony. 2:46:21 PM CHAIR MCGUIRE commented that burning is an early indicator of deviant, antisocial behavior; it demonstrates a wanton disregard for life and property. MR. KIEHL related that the current arson statute was created in 2008 and aimed at a particular situation that had gotten out of control. The sponsor of that bill supports this legislation. CHAIR MCGUIRE asked if the mental intent is intentionally. MR. KIEHL said intentionally burning is the status quo language throughout the existing arson statutes and there have been many successful prosecutions with that language. CHAIR MCGUIRE commented on the Sockeye Fire. MR. KIEHL said the follow-on risks to intentionally starting a fire are significant and, as a former volunteer fireman, the sponsor is particularly concerned about the risk to first responders in a vehicle fire. SENATOR COGHILL stated support for the bill. 2:50:53 PM DAN JAGER Fire Marshall, Capital City Fire and Rescue, and board member, Alaska Association of Fire Arson Investigators, said this group has been pushing to make changes in the arson statute. SB 187 adds clarification for fire investigators across the state and ensures that people who are responsible for burning vehicles will be properly charged. 2:51:32 PM CHAIR MCGUIRE found no further comment and closed public testimony on SB 187. Finding no amendments or committee discussion, she solicited a motion. 2:51:47 PM SENATOR COGHILL moved to report SB 187 from committee with individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal note. CHAIR MCGUIRE announced that without objection, SB 187 is reported from the Senate Judiciary Standing Committee.