The proposed bill HB 2485 amends existing Arizona law regarding aggravated criminal damage by expanding the definition of the offense. Under the new bill, liability is established not only for defacing, damaging, or tampering with utility infrastructure for the purpose of obtaining nonferrous metals but also for interfering with or preventing the normal function of utility services. This change broadens the scope of actions that can be classified as aggravated criminal damage.

Additionally, the bill modifies the criteria for determining the amount of damage to property. It includes the cost of lost utility service as a factor in assessing damages, alongside existing considerations such as repair costs, loss of crops and livestock, and labor and material costs. The thresholds for felony classifications remain the same, with a class 3 felony for damages of $10,000 or more, a class 4 felony for damages between $1,500 and $10,000, and a class 5 felony for all other cases.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 13-1604