Finn’s first bill seeks tougher punishment for Christmas tree theft

Full House approves plan protecting landowners’ interests

February 23, 2009

OLYMPIA – State Rep. Fred Finn’s legislation ordering stiffer punishment against criminals who either do damage to or steal from Christmas tree farms is the new lawmaker’s first bill to win House of Representatives support.

The measure (House Bill 1137) was unanimously approved by the full House and sent to the Senate today (Monday, Feb. 23).

Finn emphasized that Christmas tree farmers “invest a great deal of money and hard work in their property, and the theft and destruction of their inventory is every bit as devastating to them as these types of crimes are to any other timber landowner.”

The legislation toughens punishment against criminals who cut, break, or steal Christmas trees from private property or public lands.

Finn, a rural Thurston County Democrat, said existing state law directs that an individual can recover $1 for this damage or theft. A victim can recover triple damages on the basis of $3 per tree in a civil suit.

“But for damage and theft to other timber property,” he explained, “a plaintiff can recover triple the value of the trees or timber cut. It isn’t fair that current law doesn’t provide the same level of deterrence and punishment for this criminal harm done to the property of Christmas tree farmers.”

Finn’s bipartisan bill directs that the perpetrators of a crime against a Christmas tree farm would face the same penalties that currently apply to crimes committed against other types of timber on private or public land.