ARIZONA STATE SENATE
RESEARCH STAFF
TO: MEMBERS OF THE SENATE
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
DATE: March 22, 2022
SUBJECT: Strike everything amendment to H.B. 2251, relating to lasers; assault; peace
officers; penalty
Purpose
Modifies the penalty for aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer or an occupied aircraft.
Makes adjustments to the definition of laser pointer.
Background
A person commits aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer if the person intentionally or
knowingly directs the beam of light from a laser pointer or laser emitting device at another person
and the person knows or reasonably should know that the other person is a peace officer. A person
commits aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft if the person intentionally or knowingly
directs the beam of light from a laser pointer or laser emitting device at an aircraft and the person
knows or reasonably should know that the aircraft is occupied. Aiming a laser pointer at a peace
officer or at an occupied aircraft is a class 1 misdemeanor, except that if the act renders the pilot
unable to safely operate the aircraft or causes serious physical injury to any person on board the
aircraft, it is an assault as classified in statute (A.R.S. ยง 13-1213).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Increases, from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 5 felony, intentionally or knowingly aiming
a laser pointer at a peace officer.
2. Classifies, as a class 1 misdemeanor, recklessly aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer.
3. Classifies, as a class 2 felony, aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft if the act causes
the pilot to crash the aircraft or perform an emergency landing.
4. Classifies, as a class 3 felony, aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft if the act renders
the pilot unable to safely operate the aircraft.
5. Increases, from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 6 felony, intentionally or knowingly aiming
a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft.
6. Classifies, as a class 1 misdemeanor, recklessly aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft.
7. Removes the assault classification from an act that renders the pilot unable to safely operate
the aircraft or causes serious injury to any person on board the aircraft.
HAILEY KING
LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH INTERN
ZACK DEAN
LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH ANALYST
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
Telephone: (602) 926-3171 STRIKER MEMO
H.B. 2251
Page 3
8. Changes the definition of a laser pointer to mean any device that emits an intense beam of
light amplified by stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation.
9. Makes technical changes.
10. Becomes effective on the general effective date.