Enrolled Bill Summary

House Bill 171 amends the Penal Code to expand the offense of arson to establish that it is an offense regardless of whether the fire continues after ignition. The bill provides for the penalty to be increased to a first degree felony if the property damaged or destroyed is a habitation or a place of assembly and to a state jail felony if the property is a public or private elementary school, a secondary school, or an institution of higher education and the amount of pecuniary loss is between $1,500 and $20,000.