HB 2228 Summary

• Amends Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-1804 to modify the affirmative defense for theft by extortion involving accusations, exposure, lawsuits, or official actions.

• Changes the defense standard from requiring property or services be "lawfully claimed" to requiring only "a reasonable claim."

• Simplifies the defense categories from two specific grounds (restitution/indemnification and compensation for property/services) to a single "reasonable claim" standard.

• Maintains existing theft by extortion classifications: class 2 felony for threats involving deadly weapons or serious physical injury, and class 4 felony for all other threats.