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S.B. 80 Enrolled

             1     

FIRE LIABILITY MODIFICATIONS
             2      2009 GENERAL SESSION
             3      STATE OF UTAH
             4      Chief Sponsor: Margaret Dayton
             5      House Sponsor: Michael E. Noel
             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill amends provisions relating to liability for a fire.
             10      Highlighted Provisions:
             11          This bill:
             12          .    clarifies a provision relating to a fire caused by a railroad;
             13          .    defines terms; and
             14          .    establishes evidence standards and penalties for an abandoned fire.
             15      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             16          None
             17      Other Special Clauses:
             18          None
             19      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             20      AMENDS:
             21          56-1-15, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 136
             22          76-6-101, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1995, Chapter 291
             23          76-6-104.5, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1998, Chapter 71
             24     
             25      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             26          Section 1. Section 56-1-15 is amended to read:
             27           56-1-15. Fire caused by railroad operations.
             28          (1) As used in this section:
             29          (a) "Railroad operation" means an operation conducted:

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             30          (i) by a railroad:
             31          (A) owner;
             32          (B) operator;
             33          (C) contractor; or
             34          (D) lessee; and
             35          (ii) on a rail line.
             36          (b) "Railroad operation" includes an operation of a train, a construction operation, or a
             37      maintenance operation.
             38          (2) In [any] an action for damages that result from a fire caused by [sparks emitted
             39      from locomotive engines on a rail line] a railroad operation, proof that the fire occurred and
             40      was caused by [sparks emitted from a locomotive engine operated by the railroad] a railroad
             41      operation is prima facie evidence of negligence on the part of the [railroad] person who
             42      conducted the railroad operation.
             43          Section 2. Section 76-6-101 is amended to read:
             44           76-6-101. Definitions.
             45          For purposes of this chapter:
             46          (1) "Property" means any form of real property or tangible personal property which is
             47      capable of being damaged or destroyed and includes a habitable structure.
             48          (2) "Habitable structure" means any building, vehicle, trailer, railway car, aircraft, or
             49      watercraft used for lodging or assembling persons or conducting business whether a person is
             50      actually present or not.
             51          (3) "Property" is that of another, if anyone other than the actor has a possessory or
             52      proprietary interest in any portion thereof.
             53          (4) "Value" means:
             54          (a) The market value of the property, if totally destroyed, at the time and place of the
             55      offense, or where cost of replacement exceeds the market value; or
             56          (b) Where the market value cannot be ascertained, the cost of repairing or replacing
             57      the property within a reasonable time following the offense.

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             58          (5) If the property damaged has a value that cannot be ascertained by the criteria set
             59      forth in Subsections (4)(a) and (b) [above], the property shall be [deemed] considered to have
             60      a value less than $300.
             61          (6) "Fire" means a flame, heat source capable of combustion, or material capable of
             62      combustion that is caused, set, or maintained by a person for any purpose.
             63          Section 3. Section 76-6-104.5 is amended to read:
             64           76-6-104.5. Abandoned fire -- Penalties.
             65          (1) A person is guilty of abandoning a fire if, under circumstances not amounting to
             66      the offense of arson, aggravated arson, or causing a catastrophe under Title 76, Chapter 6, Part
             67      1, [Offenses Against Property, he] Property Destruction, the person leaves a fire:
             68          (a) without first completely extinguishing it; and
             69          (b) with the intent to not return to the fire.
             70          (2) A person does not commit a violation of Subsection (1) [or (2)] if [he] the person
             71      leaves a fire to report an uncontrolled fire.
             72          (3) A violation of Subsection (1):
             73          (a) is a class C misdemeanor if [the] there is no property damage [is or exceeds $150
             74      but is less than $300 in value];
             75          (b) is a class B misdemeanor if property damage is [or exceeds $300 but is] less than
             76      $1,000 in value; and
             77          (c) is a class A misdemeanor if property damage is or exceeds $1,000 in value.
             78          (4) If a violation of Subsection [(3)] (1) involves a wildland fire, the violator is also
             79      liable for suppression costs under Section 65A-3-4 .
             80          (5) A fire spreading or reigniting is prima facie evidence that the person did not
             81      completely extinguish the fire as required by Subsection (1)(a).

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