§ 76-6-105 — Causing a catastrophe -- Penalties.

(1) Terms defined in Sections 76-1-101.5 and 76-6-101 apply to this section.
(2) An actor commits causing a catastrophe if the actor causes widespread injury or damage to persons or property by:
(2)(a) use of a weapon of mass destruction as defined in Section 76-15-301; or
(2)(b) explosion, fire, flood, avalanche, collapse of a building, or other harmful or destructive force or substance that is not a weapon of mass destruction.
(3) A violation of Subsection (2) is:
(3)(a) a first degree felony if the actor causes the catastrophe knowingly and by the use of a weapon of mass destruction;
(3)(b) a second degree felony if the actor causes the catastrophe knowingly and by a means other than a weapon of mass destruction; and
(3)(c) a class A misdemeanor if the actor causes the catastrophe recklessly.
(4) In addition to any other penalty authorized by law, a court shall order an actor convicted of any violation of this section to reimburse any federal, state, or local unit of government, or any private business, organization, individual, or entity for all expenses incurred in responding to the violation, unless the court states on the record the reasons why the reimbursement would be inappropriate.

Legislative History

Amended by Chapter 173, 2025 General Session