GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1995

H            	4 

HOUSE BILL 812
Committee Substitute Favorable 4/20/95
Third Edition Engrossed 4/24/95
Committee Substitute #2 Favorable 4/26/95

Short Title:  Fire Misdemeanors Reenacted.	(Public)

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Sponsors:

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Referred to: 

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April 11, 1995

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO REENACT, WITH MODIFICATIONS, CERTAIN MISDEMEANORS RELATING TO FIRES.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 14-138.1.  Setting fire to grassland, brushland, or woodland.
Any person, firm, corporation, or other legal entity who shall in any manner whatsoever start any fire upon any grassland, brushland, or woodland without fully extinguishing the same, shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor which may include a fine of not less than ten dollars ($10.00) or more than fifty dollars ($50.00).  For the purpose of this section, the term 'woodland' includes timber and cutover land and all second growth stands on areas that were once cultivated."
Sec. 2.  Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 14-140.1.  Certain fire to be guarded by watchman.
Any person, firm, corporation, or other legal entity who shall burn any brush, grass, or other material whereby any property may be endangered or destroyed, without keeping and maintaining a careful watchman in charge of the burning, shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor which may include a fine of not less than ten dollars ($10.00) or more than fifty dollars ($50.00).  Fire escaping from the brush, grass, or other material while burning shall be prima facie evidence of violation of this provision."
Sec. 3.  This act is effective upon ratification.