Technically renumbered to avoid duplication of newly enacted Chapter also in HB 46, Chapter 111.
(1)
(a) As used in this section:
- (i) "Bank" means the land within three feet of a public water.
- (ii) "Private property" means the bed or bank of a non-navigable freshwater stream or river that flows through privately owned land and is privately owned.
- (iii) "Private property to which access is restricted" means the same as that term is defined in Section 73-29-102.
(iv) "Recreational purpose" includes one or more of the following:
- (A) hunting;
- (B) fishing;
- (C) swimming;
- (D) skiing;
- (E) snowshoeing;
- (F) camping;
- (G) picnicking;
- (H) hiking;
- (I) studying nature;
- (J) engaging in water sports;
- (K) mountain biking; or
- (L) viewing or enjoying historical, archaeological, scenic, or scientific sites.
- (b) Terms defined in Sections 76-1-101.5 and 76-6-201 apply to this section.
(2) An actor is guilty of criminal trespass if for recreational purposes, under circumstances not amounting to a greater offense, and without authorization or a right under state law:
(a) the actor touches or remains unlawfully on private property to which access is restricted in violation of Section 73-29-201 and:
- (i) intends to cause annoyance or injury to a person or damage to property;
- (ii) intends to commit a crime, other than theft or a felony; or
- (iii) is reckless as to whether the actor's presence will cause fear for the safety of another; or
(b) knowing the actor's touching or presence is unlawful, the actor touches or remains on private property to which notice against entering is given by:
- (i) personal communication to the actor by the owner or someone with apparent authority to act for the owner;
- (ii) fencing or other enclosure obviously designed to exclude intruders; or
- (iii) posting of signs reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders.
- (3) A violation of Subsection (2) is a class B misdemeanor.
(4) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that:
(a)
- (i) the private property was at the time open to the public; and
- (ii) the actor complied with all lawful conditions imposed on access to or remaining on the private property;
- (b) the actor acted in compliance with an express easement; or
- (c) the actor touched the private property as allowed by Section 73-29-202.
(5) In addition to an order for restitution under Section 77-38b-205, an actor who violates Subsection (2) is also liable for:
(a) statutory damages in the amount of the greater of:
- (i) three times the value of damages resulting from the violation of Subsection (2); or
- (ii) $500;
- (b) reasonable attorney fees not to exceed $250; and
- (c) court costs.
- (6) Civil damages under Subsection (5) may be collected in a separate action by the private property owner or the owner's assignee.
Enacted by Chapter 474, 2023 General Session