September 19, 2014 - SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Frank Bigelow, R-O’Neals, today sent a letter to Governor Brown, urging his immediate signature on Senate Bill 903 (Berryhill). The bill would reinstate a recently-expired law that authorized increased penalties for criminals who commit large-scale, devastating arson crimes like the King Fire that is currently raging out of control through the Pollock Pines area. The text of the letter is below:
Friday, September 19, 2014
The Honorable Jerry Brown
Governor, State of California
State Capitol, First Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: URGE IMMEDIATE SIGNATURE OF SB 930 (Berryhill)
Dear Governor Brown:
In light of news reports that the King fire near Pollock Pines may have been started by arson and the critical danger that other parts of California are facing due to drought and hot weather conditions, I urge you to sign SB 930 (Berryhill) as soon as possible.
SB 930 would reenact and extend the sunset date from January 1, 2014 to January 1, 2019 the provisions of the “aggravated arson” statute and increase the amount of damage required for prosecution under these provisions from $6.5 million to $7 million to reflect inflation since the statute was last updated in 2009. A person convicted of aggravated arson, which includes arson which causes $7 million in damage (including fire suppression costs), is subject to a penalty of 10 years to life in prison. The bill contains an urgency clause, so its provisions will take effect immediately upon your signature. Without these provisions, only standard arson penalties apply.
Due to the constitutional prohibition against ex post facto laws, a person who commits arson is only subject to the penalties that are in place at the time that the offense is committed. Your immediate signature of SB 930 will go a long way toward ensuring that those who commit large-scale, devastating arson crimes face appropriate penalties and will help deter these types of crimes at a time when the state is extremely vulnerable to fires. The bill was enrolled and sent to you on August 25.
Sincerely,
/s/
Assemblymember Frank Bigelow
Click here for a PDF version of the letter.
