House Bill 606 - Arson Law Revisions

• Repeals G.S. 14-60 and creates new felony offense for burning commercial structures: Class D felony if occupied at time of burning, Class E felony if unoccupied.

• Increases punishments for arson or unlawful burning that injures first responders: Class E-F felony for serious bodily injury and Class I felony for physical injury to firefighters, law enforcement officers, fire investigators, or emergency medical technicians.

• Transfers fire investigation authority from the Director of the State Bureau of Investigation to the Commissioner of Insurance through the Office of the State Fire Marshal, while maintaining concurrent authority with SBI and local officials.

• Authorizes the Commissioner of Insurance to supervise and direct fire investigations, take testimony under oath, arrest suspects for arson or fraud, and compel insurance companies to release fire loss information.

• Becomes effective December 1, 2019 for new offenses; Section 3 regarding fire investigation authority becomes effective October 1, 2019.