This bill aims to revise critical infrastructure protection laws in Montana by expanding the definition of "critical infrastructure facility" to include broadband and wired communications. Specifically, it amends Section 82-1-601 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to incorporate "broadband and wired communications" infrastructure alongside existing categories such as telecommunications and electric facilities. The bill also clarifies that this infrastructure includes various components like headends, poles, and lines associated with cable television and broadband services.

Additionally, the bill amends Section 82-1-602, which outlines criminal penalties for trespassing and damaging critical infrastructure facilities. It modifies the language regarding intent, changing "willfully and knowingly" to "purposely or knowingly" in relation to the actions that constitute a felony. The penalties for damaging critical infrastructure remain severe, with fines and imprisonment terms specified for varying degrees of damage. Overall, the bill strengthens the legal framework for protecting critical infrastructure in Montana, particularly in the context of modern communication technologies.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_1(1): 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_1(2): 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_1(3): 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_1(4): 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_1(5): 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_1(6): 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_1(7): 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_1: 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_2(1): 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_2(10): 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_2(2): 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_2(3): 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_2(4): 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_2(5): 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_2(6): 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_2(7): 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_2(8): 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_2(9): 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_2: 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_3: 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_X(1): 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_X(10): 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_X(11): 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_X(2): 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_X(3): 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_X(4): 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_X(5): 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_X(6): 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_X(7): 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_X(8): 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_X(9): 82-1-601, 82-1-602
HB0257_X: 82-1-601, 82-1-602