Vandalism: redwood burls.

Existing law makes every person who maliciously defaces with graffiti or other inscribed material, damages, or destroys any real or personal property not his or her own guilty of vandalism, which is punishable by imprisonment, or fine, or both imprisonment and fine, as specified. Existing law requires prosecution for an offense punishable by imprisonment in the state prison or county jail to be commenced within 3 years after commission of the offense. This bill would specifically include in the crime of vandalism maliciously defacing, damaging, or destroying a redwood tree on the property of another without the permission of the owner. The bill would create a permissive inference of a violation when a person violates these provisions with respect to property belonging to a public entity. By expanding the definition of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would begin the running of the time for prosecution for this offense upon discovery of the offense. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.