Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

As Passed By The Senate

March 28, 2023

S. 330

Introduced by Senators Rankin, Alexander, Verdin and Garrett

S. Printed 03/28/23--S.

Read the first time January 10, 2023

________

A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 16-11-740, RELATING TO MALICIOUS INJURY TO TELEGRAPH, TELEPHONE, OR ELECTRIC UTILITY SYSTEM, SO AS TO add tiered PENALTIES FOR DAMAGE TO A UTILITY SYSTEM.

    Amend Title To Conform

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1.  Section 16-11-740 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

    Section 16-11-740. (A) For purposes of this section only, "electric utility system" means all plants, facilities, assets, and equipment owned, leased, or operated for the generation, transmission, distribution, or storage of electricity, regardless of generation source, and all natural gas facilities, including natural gas pipeline infrastructure.

    (B)(1) It is unlawful for a person, without the consent of the owner, to wilfully and maliciously:

    (1)           (a) destroy, damage, or in any way injure a telegraph, telephone, electric utility system, satellite dish, or cable television system, including poles, cables, wires, fixtures, antennas, amplifiers, or other apparatus, equipment, or appliances;

    (2)           (b) obstruct, impede, or impair their services or transmissions; or

    (3)          (c) aid, agree with, employ, or conspire with a person to do or cause to be done any of the acts mentioned in this sectionssubsection.

            (2) A person who violates the provisions of this sectionsubsection is guilty of a felony misdemeanor and, upon conviction,:

               (a) if the amount of the damage or loss is less than ten thousand dollars, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than ten years., or both;

           (b) if the amount of the damage or loss is ten thousand dollars or more but less than twenty-five thousand dollars, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than fifteen years, or both;

           (c) if the amount of the damage or loss is twenty-five thousand dollars or more, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both.

       (3) A person who violates the provisions of this subsection is guilty of a felony if the destruction or damage results in the death or bodily injury of a person, or an imminent danger to the life, health, or safety of a person, and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned for not more than twenty-five years, or both.

       (4) Evidence of the amount of damages or loss shall be calculated to include the cost of the repair or replacement of equipment, buildings, or structures damaged, the estimated lost revenue caused by the destructive acts, and any related damages than can reasonably be associated with the interruption of service to affected, dedicated utility customers.

    (C)(1) It is unlawful for a person, without consent of the owner, to wilfully and maliciously by means of or use of a firearm or destructive device as defined by Section 16-23-710, to:

           (a) destroy, damage, or in any way injure:

               (i) an electric utility system; or

               (ii) a gasoline, natural gas, or propane utility system, including poles, cables, wires, pipelines, storage containers, fixtures, or other apparatus, equipment, or appliances; or

               (iii) a telegraph, telephone, satellite dish, or cable television system, including poles, cables, wires, fixtures, antennas, amplifiers, or other apparatus, equipment, or appliances;

           (b) obstruct, impede, or impair their services or transmissions; or

           (c) aid, employ, or conspire with a person to do or cause to be done any of the acts mentioned in subitems (a) and (b).

       (2) A person who violates the provisions of this subsection is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned for not more than twenty-five years and may be fined in the discretion of the court.

SECTION 2.  The repeal or amendment by this act of any law, whether temporary or permanent or civil or criminal, does not affect pending actions, rights, duties, or liabilities founded thereon, or alter, discharge, release or extinguish any penalty, forfeiture, or liability incurred under the repealed or amended law, unless the repealed or amended provision shall so expressly provide.  After the effective date of this act, all laws repealed or amended by this act must be taken and treated as remaining in full force and effect for the purpose of sustaining any pending or vested right, civil action, special proceeding, criminal prosecution, or appeal existing as of the effective date of this act, and for the enforcement of rights, duties, penalties, forfeitures, and liabilities as they stood under the repealed or amended laws.

SECTION 3.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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