HB 238 Alaska House · 33rd Legislature (2023-2024)

An Act relating to criminal mischief in the third degree; and providing for an effective date.

This bill updates the state's laws regarding criminal mischief in the third degree by adjusting damage thresholds and adding specific protections for cemeteries and religious sites. Under the new rules, intentionally damaging property worth $750 or more is a crime, while recklessly creating a risk of over $100,000 in damage using dangerous means is also punishable. The legislation specifically criminalizes defacing or damaging cemeteries, removing human remains, and harming property used for religious worship or education, regardless of whether the site appears abandoned. It also establishes an affirmative defense for employees of cemeteries or religious organizations who were performing authorized duties at the time of the alleged offense. These changes take effect immediately upon signing.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2024
Committee Review
May 2024
House Passage
May 2024
Senate Passage
May 2024
Signed into Law
Oct 2024
Introduced Jan 16, 2024 Signed Oct 9, 2024
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
63
Key actions
12
Committee
2
Amendments
3
Oct 9, 2024
Signed into law
(H) Signed into law 9/3 CHAPTER 51 SLA 24
lower
May 13, 2024
Lower · Passed
(H) CONCURRED AM OF (S) Y38 N1 E1
lower
May 11, 2024
Upper · Passed
(S) TRANSMITTED TO (H) AS AMENDED
upper
May 11, 2024
Upper · Passed
(S) PASSED Y17 N2 E1
upper
May 11, 2024
Upper · Passed
(S) JUD SCS ADOPTED UC
upper
May 6, 2024
Upper · Passed
(S) Moved SCS CSHB 238(JUD) Out of Committee
upper
Mar 20, 2024
Lower · Passed
(H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
lower
Mar 20, 2024
Lower · Passed
(H) PASSED ON RECONSIDERATION Y35 N5
lower
Mar 20, 2024
Lower · Passed
(H) RECON SAME DAY PASSED Y38 N2 - IN THIRD READING
lower
Mar 20, 2024
Lower · Passed
(H) PASSED Y36 N4
lower
Mar 18, 2024
Amended
(H) AM NO 4 FAILED Y3 N36 E1
lower
Mar 18, 2024
Amended
(H) AM NO 2 FAILED Y3 N36 E1
lower
Mar 18, 2024
Amended
(H) AM NO 1 FAILED Y2 N37 E1
lower
Mar 18, 2024
Lower · Passed
(H) JUD CS ADOPTED UC
lower
Mar 11, 2024
Lower · Passed
(H) Moved CSHB 238(JUD) Out of Committee -- Delayed to 15 Minutes Following Session --
lower
1 primary · 11 co-sponsors

Sponsors