BILL NUMBER: SB 314	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Berryhill

                        FEBRUARY 23, 2015

   An act to amend Section 451 of the Penal Code, relating to arson.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 314, as introduced, Berryhill. Arson.
   Existing law provides that a person is guilty of the crime of
arson when he or she willfully and maliciously sets fire to or burns
or causes to be burned, or who aids, counsels, or procures the
burning of, any structure, forest land, or property. The crime of
arson is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison, as
specified.
   This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to that
provision.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 451 of the Penal Code is amended to read:
   451.  A person is guilty of arson when he or she willfully and
maliciously sets fire to or burns or causes to be  burned or
  burned, or  who aids, counsels, or procures the
burning of, any structure, forest land, or property.
   (a) Arson that causes great bodily injury is a felony punishable
by imprisonment in the state prison for five, seven, or nine years.
   (b) Arson that causes an inhabited structure or inhabited property
to burn is a felony punishable by imprisonment in the state prison
for three, five, or eight years.
   (c) Arson of a structure or forest land is a felony punishable by
imprisonment in the state prison for two, four, or six years.
   (d) Arson of property is a felony punishable by imprisonment in
the state prison for 16 months, two, or three years. For purposes of
this paragraph, arson of property does not include one burning or
causing to be burned his or her own personal property unless there is
an intent to defraud or there is injury to another person or another
person's structure, forest land, or property.
   (e)  In the case of any   If a  person
 is  convicted of violating this section while confined in a
state prison, prison road camp, prison forestry camp, or other
prison camp or prison farm, or while confined in a county jail while
serving a term of imprisonment for a felony or misdemeanor
conviction, any sentence imposed shall be consecutive to the sentence
for which the person was then confined.