S-4069.1  _______________________________________________

                    SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 6422

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington   57th Legislature        2002 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Costa and McCaslin)

READ FIRST TIME 02/06/2002.

Defining "property of another" for purposes of crimes against property.

    AN ACT Relating to crimes involving property of another person; amending RCW 9A.48.010; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

    Sec. 1.  RCW 9A.48.010 and 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 38 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) For the purpose of this chapter, ((as now or hereinafter amended,)) unless the context indicates otherwise:

    (a) "Building" has the definition in RCW 9A.04.110(5), and where a building consists of two or more units separately secured or occupied, each unit shall not be treated as a separate building;

    (b) "Damages", in addition to its ordinary meaning, includes any charring, scorching, burning, or breaking, or agricultural or industrial sabotage, and shall include any diminution in the value of any property as a consequence of an act;

(c) "Property of another" means property in which the actor possesses anything less than exclusive ownership.

    (2) To constitute arson it ((shall)) is not ((be)) necessary that a person other than the actor ((should have had)) has ownership in the building or structure damaged or set on fire.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.

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