CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Nevada Assembly members have passed a measure creating a felony offense for multiple graffiti convictions.
The Assembly approved AB244 on a mostly party line vote of 24-18, with Democrats and Republican Assemblywoman Shelly Shelton opposing. The measure now moves to the Senate.
The bill would require anyone with two or more convictions for graffiti offenses, including at least one that's a felony, to be automatically charged with a Class C felony. That charge carries a penalty of one to five years in prison.
Democrats opposed the bill and said that it could lead to more non-violent offenders in jails and strain an already overcrowded prison system.
Republican Assemblyman Lynn Stewart sponsored the bill and said it would only target repeat offenders who routinely thumb their nose at anti-graffiti law.
