AR HB1313

Amends Arkansas Code § 5-71-215 to expand the offense of defacing objects or damaging public buildings to specifically include the State Capitol Building, buildings on State Capitol grounds, Capitol Mall, Governor's Mansion grounds, and publicly owned monuments, statues, fixtures, or landscapes on these properties.

Establishes tiered felony and misdemeanor penalties based on repair or replacement costs: Class A misdemeanor for damages not exceeding $500; Class D felony for damages exceeding $500 but not exceeding $2,500; Class C felony for damages exceeding $2,500.

Increases penalties by one felony class (e.g., from D to C, or C to B) when the damaged object is a cemetery or burial monument, regardless of repair cost threshold.

Defines "publicly owned monument" as an object on public land commemorating a person or event that holds artistic, historic, social, political, technical, or architectural importance to a social group's cultural heritage.

Approved April 14, 2021.