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H.B. 322

             1     

DOMESTIC TERRORISM OF COMMERCIAL

             2     
ENTERPRISES

             3     
2001 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Sponsor: Gerry A. Adair

             6      This act modifies the Criminal Code by creating a specific offense of commercial terrorism,
             7      concerning the interference with the operation of a retail business establishment, by
             8      providing the elements of the offense, and providing penalties. This act also modifies the
             9      Criminal Code by enacting provisions regarding enhanced penalties for criminal offenses
             10      committed against animal enterprises.
             11      This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
             12      AMENDS:
             13          76-6-206, as last amended by Chapter 132, Laws of Utah 2000
             14      ENACTS:
             15          76-6-110, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             16          76-10-2401, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             17          76-10-2402, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             18      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             19          Section 1. Section 76-6-110 is enacted to read:
             20          76-6-110. Offenses committed against animal enterprises -- Definitions -- Enhanced
             21      penalties.
             22          (1) As used in this section:
             23          (a) "Animal enterprise" means a commercial or academic enterprise that:
             24          (i) uses animals for food or fiber production;
             25          (ii) is an agricultural operation, including a facility for the production of crops or livestock,
             26      or livestock products;
             27          (iii) operates a zoo, aquarium, circus, rodeo, or lawful competitive animal event; or


             28          (iv) any fair or similar event intended to advance agricultural arts and sciences.
             29          (b) "Livestock" means cattle, sheep, goats, swine, horses, mules, poultry, domesticated elk
             30      as defined in Section 4-39-102 , or any other domestic animal or domestic furbearer raised or kept
             31      for profit.
             32          (c) "Property" includes any buildings, vehicles, animals, data, or records.
             33          (2) (a) A person who commits any criminal offense with the intent to halt, impede,
             34      obstruct, or interfere with the lawful operation of an animal enterprise or to damage, take, or cause
             35      the loss of any property owned by, used by, or in the possession of a lawful animal enterprise, is
             36      subject to an enhanced penalty under Subsection (3).
             37          (b) Subsection (2)(a) does not apply to action protected by the National Labor Relations
             38      Act, 29 U.S.C. Section 151 et seq., or the Federal Railway Labor Act, 45 U.S.C. Section 151 et
             39      seq.
             40          (c) The prosecuting attorney, or grand jury if an indictment is returned, shall cause to be
             41      subscribed upon the information or indictment h [ in felony cases ] h notice that the defendant is
             41a      subject
             42      to the enhanced penalties provided under this section.
             43          (3) If the trier of fact finds beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed any
             44      criminal offense with the intent to halt, impede, obstruct, or interfere with the lawful operation of
             45      an animal enterprise or to damage, take, or cause the loss of any property owned by, used by, or
             46      in the possession of a lawful animal enterprise, the penalties are enhanced as provided in this
             47      Subsection (3):
             48          (a) a class C misdemeanor is a class B misdemeanor, with a mandatory fine of not less than
             49      $1,000, which is in addition to any term of imprisonment the court may impose;
             50          (b) a class B misdemeanor is a class A misdemeanor, with a fine of not less than $2,500,
             51      which is in addition to any term of imprisonment the court may impose;
             52          (c) a class A misdemeanor is a third degree felony, with a fine of not less than $5,000,
             53      which is in addition to any term of imprisonment the court may impose;
             54          (d) a third degree felony is a second degree felony, with a fine of not less than $7,500,
             55      which is in addition to any term of imprisonment the court may impose; and
             56          (e) a second degree felony is subject to a fine of not less than $10,000, which is in addition
             57      to any term of imprisonment the court may impose.
             58          Section 2. Section 76-6-206 is amended to read:


             59           76-6-206. Criminal trespass.
             60          (1) For purposes of this section "enter" means intrusion of the entire body.
             61          (2) A person is guilty of criminal trespass if, under circumstances not amounting to
             62      burglary as defined in Section 76-6-202 , 76-6-203 , or 76-6-204 or a violation of Section
             63      76-10-2402 regarding commercial terrorism:
             64          (a) he enters or remains unlawfully on property and:
             65          (i) intends to cause annoyance or injury to any person or damage to any property, including
             66      the use of graffiti as defined in Section 76-6-107 ;
             67          (ii) intends to commit any crime, other than theft or a felony; or
             68          (iii) is reckless as to whether his presence will cause fear for the safety of another;
             69          (b) knowing his entry or presence is unlawful, he enters or remains on property as to which
             70      notice against entering is given by:
             71          (i) personal communication to the actor by the owner or someone with apparent authority
             72      to act for the owner;
             73          (ii) fencing or other enclosure obviously designed to exclude intruders; or
             74          (iii) posting of signs reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders; or
             75          (c) he enters a condominium unit in violation of Subsection 57-8-7 (7).
             76          (3) (a) A violation of Subsection (2)(a) is a class C misdemeanor unless it was committed
             77      in a dwelling, in which event it is a class B misdemeanor.
             78          (b) A violation of Subsection (2)(b) is an infraction.
             79          (4) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that the:
             80          (a) property was open to the public when the actor entered or remained; and
             81          (b) actor's conduct did not substantially interfere with the owner's use of the property.
             82          Section 3. Section 76-10-2401 is enacted to read:
             83     
Part 24. Commercial Terrorism

             84          76-10-2401. Definitions.
             85          As used in this part:
             86          (1) "Building," in addition to its commonly accepted meaning, means any watercraft,
             87      aircraft, trailer, sleeping car, or other structure or vehicle adapted for overnight accommodations
             88      of persons or for carrying on business and includes:
             89          (a) each separately secured or occupied portion of the building or vehicle; and


             90          (b) each structure appurtenant or connected to the building or vehicle.
             91          (2) "Business" means a retail business dealing in tangible personal property.
             92          (3) "Enter" means:
             93          (a) an intrusion of any part of the body; or
             94          (b) the intrusion of any physical object, sound wave, light ray, electronic signal, or other
             95      means of intrusion under the control of the actor.
             96          Section 4. Section 76-10-2402 is enacted to read:
             97          76-10-2402. Commercial terrorism -- Penalties.
             98          (1) A person is guilty of commercial terrorism if he enters or remains unlawfully on the
             99      premises h OR IN A BUILDIN G h of any business with the intent to h [ : ] INTERFERE WITH THE
             99a      EMPLOYEES, CUSTOMERS, PERSONNEL, OR OPERATIONS OF A BUSINESS THROUGH ANY
             99b      CONDUCT THAT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFENSE LISTED UNDER SUBSECTION (2). A
             99c      VIOLATION OF THIS SUBSECTION (1) IS GUILTY OF A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR.
             99d           (2) A PERSON IS GUILTY OF COMMERCIAL TERRORISM IF HE ENTERS OR REMAINS
             99e      UNLAWFULLY ON THE PREMISES S OR IN A BUILDING s OF ANY BUSINESS WITH THE INTENT TO

             99-1f      INTERFERE WITH THE
             99f      EMPLOYEES, CUSTOMERS, PERSONNEL, OR OPERATIONS OF A BUSINESS AND ALSO WITH THE
             99g      INTENT TO: h

             100          (a) obtain unauthorized control over any merchandise, property, records, data, or
             101      proprietary information of the business;
             102          (b) alter, eradicate, or remove any merchandise, records, data, or proprietary information
             103      of the business;
             104          (c) damage, deface, or destroy any property on the premises of the business;
             105          (d) commit an assault on any person; h OR h
             106          (e) commit any other felony h [ ; or ] . h
             107           h [ (f) interfere with the employees, customers, personnel, or operations of a business through
             108      any conduct that does not constitute an assault.
]

             109           [ (2) A person who violates Subsection (1)(f) is guilty of a class A misdemeanor. ]
             109a          (3) h A person
             110      who violates any h [ other ] h provision in h [ this section ] SUBSECTION (2) h is guilty of a felony of
             110a      the second degree.
             110b           S (4) THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO ACTION PROTECTED BY THE NATIONAL LABOR
             110c      RELATIONS ACT, 29 U.S.C. SECTION 151 ET SEQ., OR THE FEDERAL RAILWAY LABOR ACT, 45
             110d      U.S.C. SECTION 151 ET SEQ.
             110e           (5) IT IS THE INTENT OF THE LEGISLATURE THAT THIS SECTION DOES NOT PROHIBIT OR
             110f      INTERFERE WITH A PERSON'S EXERCISE OF THE RIGHTS UNDER THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE
             110g      CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OR UNDER ARTICLE I, SEC. 15 OF THE UTAH
             110h      CONSTITUTION . s



Legislative Review Note
    as of 2-2-01 8:20 AM

A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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