BILL REQ. #:  H-1687.1 

Read first time 02/09/2007.   Referred to Committee on Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness.

     AN ACT Relating to threshold property values for the crimes of malicious mischief; amending RCW 9A.48.070, 9A.48.080, and 9A.48.090; and prescribing penalties.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 9A.48.070 and 1983 1st ex.s. c 4 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A person is guilty of malicious mischief in the first degree if he or she knowingly and maliciously:
     (a) Causes physical damage to the property of another in an amount exceeding ((one)) two thousand five hundred dollars;
     (b) Causes an interruption or impairment of service rendered to the public by physically damaging or tampering with an emergency vehicle or property of the state, a political subdivision thereof, or a public utility or mode of public transportation, power, or communication; or
     (c) Causes an impairment of the safety, efficiency, or operation of an aircraft by physically damaging or tampering with the aircraft or aircraft equipment, fuel, lubricant, or parts.
     (2) Malicious mischief in the first degree is a class B felony.

Sec. 2   RCW 9A.48.080 and 1994 c 261 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A person is guilty of malicious mischief in the second degree if he or she knowingly and maliciously:
     (a) Causes physical damage to the property of another in an amount exceeding ((two)) five hundred ((fifty)) dollars; or
     (b) Creates a substantial risk of interruption or impairment of service rendered to the public, by physically damaging or tampering with an emergency vehicle or property of the state, a political subdivision thereof, or a public utility or mode of public transportation, power, or communication.
     (2) Malicious mischief in the second degree is a class C felony.

Sec. 3   RCW 9A.48.090 and 2003 c 53 s 71 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A person is guilty of malicious mischief in the third degree if he or she:
     (a) Knowingly and maliciously causes physical damage to the property of another, under circumstances not amounting to malicious mischief in the first or second degree; or
     (b) Writes, paints, or draws any inscription, figure, or mark of any type on any public or private building or other structure or any real or personal property owned by any other person unless the person has obtained the express permission of the owner or operator of the property, under circumstances not amounting to malicious mischief in the first or second degree.
     (2)(a) Malicious mischief in the third degree under subsection (1)(a) of this section is a gross misdemeanor if the damage to the property is in an amount exceeding ((fifty)) one hundred dollars.
     (b) Malicious mischief in the third degree under subsection (1)(a) of this section is a misdemeanor if the damage to the property is ((fifty)) one hundred dollars or less.
     (c) Malicious mischief in the third degree under subsection (1)(b) of this section is a gross misdemeanor.