THEFT OF TEMPORARY HOUSING DURING EMERGENCY.

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View NCGA Bill Details(link is external)2025-2026 Session
Senate Bill 164 (Public) Filed Tuesday, February 25, 2025
AN ACT TO SPECIFY THE PUNISHMENT FOR LOOTING ANOTHER PERSON'S TEMPORARY HOUSING IN AN EMERGENCY AREA DURING A DECLARED STATE OF EMERGENCY.
Intro. by Alexander, Moffitt, Settle.
Status: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (House action) (Jun 3 2025)

SOG comments (2):

Identical bill

Submitted by jhenders@sog.unc.edu on

Identical to S 365, filed 3/20/25.

Long title change

Submitted by iveybyrd on

Previous title was AN ACT TO SPECIFY THE PUNISHMENT FOR ENTERING THE PREMISES OF ANOTHER PERSON WITHOUT LEGAL JUSTIFICATION IN A COUNTY LOCATED IN AN EMERGENCY AREA DURING A STATE OF EMERGENCY AND TAKING OR DAMAGING THE PERSON'S TEMPORARY HOUSING.

Bill History:

S 164

Bill Summaries:

  • Bill S 164 (2025-2026)
    Summary date: Jun 3 2025 - View Summary

    House committee substitute to the 2nd edition makes the following changes.

    Amends GS 14-288.1 to define “emergency area” as the geographical area covered by a declared state of emergency (was, defined as it is in GS 166A-19.3, which defined the term as the geographical area covered by a state of emergency). Amends the items listed under the definition of temporary housing to require that the structure being used for human shelter that is designed to be transportable not be permanently attached (was, not be attached) to the ground, another structure, or any utility system on the same premises. 

    Amends GS 14-288.6(b) to also make it a Class F felony to loot property from temporary housing, in addition to looting temporary housing; makes conforming changes. 

    Courts/Judiciary, Criminal Justice, Criminal Law and Procedure, Government, Public Safety and Emergency Management
    GS 14
  • Bill S 164 (2025-2026)
    Summary date: May 6 2025 - View Summary

    Senate committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes.

    Amends the act's long title.

    Amends GS 14-288.1 to define “emergency area” as defined in GS 166A-19.3, and “temporary housing” as it was previously defined in new GS 14-288.6(b1).

    Removes previous changes to GS 14-288.6 and now amends GS 14-288.6 (Looting; trespass during emergency) in subsection (a) to include trespassing in an emergency area during a declared state of emergency, removing reference to riots storms, and other specified types of disaster. Amends subsection (b) to make it a Class F felony to loot property that is temporary housing, or a Class H felony if the property looted is not temporary housing.

    Courts/Judiciary, Criminal Justice, Criminal Law and Procedure, Government, Public Safety and Emergency Management
    GS 14
  • Bill S 164 (2025-2026)
    Summary date: Feb 25 2025 - View Summary

    Unless the conduct is covered under another provision of law providing greater punishment, establishes it as a Class F felony under GS 14-288.6 (looting and trespass during an emergency) for any person to enter the premises of another without legal justification, in a county located in an emergency area during a state of emergency, and without legal justification obtain or exert control over, damage, ransack, or destroy the temporary housing of another. Allows for recovery of three times the amount of actual damages, court costs, and attorneys’ fees in a civil suit by any person whose person or property is injured due to a violation of the above against a violator of the statute. Defines emergency area, state of emergency, and temporary housing. Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025.

    Courts/Judiciary, Criminal Justice, Criminal Law and Procedure, Government, Public Safety and Emergency Management
    GS 14
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