ARIZONA STATE SENATE

HAILEY KING

LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH INTERN

ZACK DEAN

LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH ANALYST

JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

Telephone: (602) 926-3171

RESEARCH STAFF

TO:                  MEMBERS OF THE SENATE

JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

DATE:            March 22, 2022

SUBJECT:      Strike everything amendment to H.B. 2251, relating to lasers; assault; peace officers; penalty

Purpose

Modifies the penalty for aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer or an occupied aircraft.                         Makes adjustments to the definition of laser pointer.

Background

A person commits aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer if the person intentionally or knowingly directs the beam of light from a laser pointer or laser emitting device at another person and the person knows or reasonably should know that the other person is a peace officer. A person commits aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft if the person intentionally or knowingly directs the beam of light from a laser pointer or laser emitting device at an aircraft and the person knows or reasonably should know that the aircraft is occupied. Aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer or at an occupied aircraft is a class 1 misdemeanor, except that if the act renders the pilot unable to safely operate the aircraft or causes serious physical injury to any person on board the aircraft, it is an assault as classified in statute (A.R.S. § 13-1213).

There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation. 

Provisions

1. Increases, from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 5 felony, intentionally or knowingly aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer.

2. Classifies, as a class 1 misdemeanor, recklessly aiming a laser pointer at a peace officer.

3. Classifies, as a class 2 felony, aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft if the act causes the pilot to crash the aircraft or perform an emergency landing.

4. Classifies, as a class 3 felony, aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft if the act renders the pilot unable to safely operate the aircraft.

5. Increases, from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 6 felony, intentionally or knowingly aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft.

6. Classifies, as a class 1 misdemeanor, recklessly aiming a laser pointer at an occupied aircraft.

7. Removes the assault classification from an act that renders the pilot unable to safely operate the aircraft or causes serious injury to any person on board the aircraft.

8. Changes the definition of a laser pointer to mean any device that emits an intense beam of light amplified by stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation.

9. Makes technical changes.

10. Becomes effective on the general effective date.