HB 2005
In CommitteeHouse
EV charging station damage
Providing for enforcement actions for property damage of electric vehicle charging stations.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill makes it a crime to intentionally damage, tamper with, or steal electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, with penalties based on the value of the damage. It also allows victims to sue for civil damages and requires offenders to pay restitution and a $100 fine.
- Creates a new criminal offense for intentionally damaging, tampering with, or stealing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations — including cutting wires or impairing operation.
- Sets escalating penalties based on the value of the damaged station: gross misdemeanor (up to $5,000 fine and 364 days in jail) for damage under $1,000, class C felony for damage between $1,000 and $5,000, and class B felony for damage over $5,000.
- Exempts electricity service providers from liability if damage is accidental and occurs during normal utility operations.
- Requires courts to order convicted offenders to pay restitution to station owners for repair or replacement costs.
- Imposes an additional $100 fine per conviction, deposited into the multimodal transportation account or local county road fund.
- Allows station owners to file a civil lawsuit to recover up to $5,000 in damages, plus court costs and attorney fees.
Who is affected
- Individuals who intentionally damage EV charging stations — Face criminal penalties (gross misdemeanor to class B felony) and possible restitution or civil liability if they intentionally damage EV charging stations.
- Perpetrators convicted under this law — May be held civilly liable for damages up to $5,000 plus court costs and attorney fees if convicted of damaging a station.
- Owners or operators of EV charging stations — May receive restitution payments from offenders for repair or replacement costs of damaged stations.
- Electricity service providers and their employees — Could face increased liability exposure if their employees accidentally damage stations while performing utility work.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (4)
Restitution and civil recovery provisions directly benefit small EV station owners—including sole proprietors, apartment complexes, and rural businesses—by enabling recovery of repair/replacement costs and attorney fees, helping them avoid absorbing losses that could force closures.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 1(3), (5)Criminal penalties deter vandalism and theft of EV infrastructure, protecting public investments in clean transportation and ensuring reliable access to charging for everyday drivers—especially those without home charging options, such as apartment dwellers or low-income commuters.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(1)(a)-(c)The $100 fine deposits into multimodal transportation or county road funds, supporting infrastructure maintenance that benefits all road users—including transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians—by improving overall transportation safety and function.
TransportationPeopleRef: Sec. 1(4)Liability exemption for electricity service providers who accidentally damage stations protects utility workers and ratepayers from unjustified lawsuits, preserving stable electricity service and avoiding cost-shifting to consumers.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2)
Potential Concerns (4)
Criminal penalties escalate to class B felony (up to 10 years’ imprisonment and $20,000 fine) for damage over $5,000, which may disproportionately impact low-income individuals who cannot afford legal defense or restitution, increasing incarceration risk for nonviolent property offenses.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(1)(a)-(c)The $100 fine per conviction deposits into transportation or road funds, but local governments bear increased prosecution, court, and incarceration costs for new criminal charges without guaranteed state reimbursement, straining already-constrained budgets.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 1(4)Civil liability allows recovery of up to $5,000 in damages plus attorney fees, but low-income individuals convicted under this law may face wage garnishment or asset seizure for inability to pay restitution or civil judgment, exacerbating financial instability.
Rights & LibertiesLean peopleRef: Sec. 1(5)Small EV charging station operators (e.g., independent gas stations, apartment complexes, or rural businesses) may lack resources to document damage accurately or pursue civil claims, reducing the practical benefit of the civil remedy despite its existence.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 1(1)(a)-(c)
Who Is Most Affected
Low-income individuals who rely on public or shared EVs (e.g., apartment dwellers, transit-dependent commuters) benefit from increased charging station reliability and reduced vandalism, improving daily mobility and access to clean transportation.
Small business owners operating EV charging stations (e.g., independent gas stations, apartment complexes, rural shops) gain legal recourse to recover damages, helping them stay solvent and continue offering services without passing costs to consumers.
Local governments face increased costs for prosecution, court processing, and potential incarceration of offenders, with no state funding mandate—straining budgets while also gaining modest revenue from fines.
Electricity service providers benefit from liability protection for accidental damage during routine work, reducing legal risk and preventing cost-shifting to ratepayers, but must ensure proper training to avoid negligence claims.
Individuals accused of damaging EV stations—particularly those without legal resources—face heightened risk of incarceration, restitution orders, and civil judgments, which may trap them in cycles of debt and legal entanglement.