The bills aim to help secure the operation of vital services such as the electric grid, drinking water supply, and transportation systems by protecting them from deliberate acts of destruction.
As outlined in HB 275 and SB 340, individuals who unlawfully tamper with critical infrastructure to cause significant damage or disruption would be charged with second degree felonies. Likewise, individuals who tamper with computers, computer systems, networks or electronic devices will face third degree felony charges. If the governor signs the bills, they will go into effect July 1.
The bills define critical infrastructure to include facilities such as:
- An electrical power plant
- A water treatment facility or wastewater treatment plant
- A telecommunications central switching office
- A gas processing plant, including a plant used in the processing, treatment or fractionation of natural gas
- An airport
