Relating To Critical Electrical Infrastructure.
If enacted, SB612 would amend Hawaii Revised Statutes to create a new category for criminal trespass on properties designated as critical electrical infrastructure. This includes power plants, transmission facilities, and substations, where the act of trespassing would be classified as a class C felony. This will lead to increased penalties including potential imprisonment and hefty fines, notably enhancing deterrents against unauthorized entry into potentially dangerous zones associated with electricity generation and distribution.
Senate Bill 612 aims to enhance the protection of critical electrical infrastructure in Hawaii by addressing the issue of trespassing at these facilities. The legislature recognizes that safe and reliable electrical power is crucial for the welfare of residents and essential for national defense. Existing laws related to trespassing were deemed inadequate to deter unauthorized access to high-risk electrical sites. The bill proposes establishing the offense of criminal trespass specifically for critical electrical infrastructure, thereby increasing the penalties for such violations to better protect these vital resources.
While the bill aims to bolster security for vital electrical infrastructure, there may be concerns about how these changes affect individual rights and the legal definition of property boundaries. The bill outlines that critical electrical infrastructure facilities must be properly fenced and marked to qualify for the increased penalties. There may be discussions about the necessity and effectiveness of such stringent measures versus the implications for public access and law enforcement capabilities when handling trespassing incidents.