The bill amends sections 12.1-21-01 and 12.1-21-02 of the North Dakota Century Code, which pertain to arson and endangering by fire or explosion. It redefines the language surrounding the crime of arson, specifying that an individual is guilty of arson if they start or maintain a fire or cause an explosion with the intent to destroy or damage property, either belonging to another or their own, for the purpose of insurance fraud or depriving another with a legal interest in that property. The bill also clarifies what constitutes a "legal interest" in property and establishes that damage must exceed two thousand dollars for certain offenses.

Additionally, the bill revises the definition of endangering by fire or explosion, stating that an individual is guilty if they recklessly place another person in danger of death or bodily injury, or cause significant property damage. It expands the definition of "person in danger" to include emergency responders and specifies that if the act places another person in danger of death with extreme indifference to human life, it is classified as a class B felony; otherwise, it is a class C felony.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 12.1-21-01, 12.1-21-02
Adopted by the House Judiciary Committee: 12.1-21-01, 12.1-21-02
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 12.1-21-01, 12.1-21-02
Enrollment: 12.1-21-01, 12.1-21-02