House adopts conference report strengthening penalties for illegal signal jammers when public-safety communications affected

The Indiana House on April 21 adopted a conference committee report on Senate Bill 26 that increases penalties for certain signal-jammer offenses when the device is used to disrupt public-safety or critical-infrastructure communications.

Representative Ledbetter presented the report and said the conference committee returned language that makes the intentional manufacture, sale, marketing, possession or use of a signal jammer a felony; the adopted conference report includes a harsher penalty — a level 5 felony — if the jammer is used to disrupt a component of critical infrastructure or communications of a public-safety agency.

Representative Peter, speaking during floor discussion, clarified that the text presented was largely the House-passed language but with the Senate’s enhancement for attacks on public safety and critical infrastructure. Peter and other members raised concern about the speed of the conference committee process; one member said a recent conference committee lasted “about 13 seconds” and urged greater transparency and time for deliberation in conference committees.

The House adopted the conference report by recorded vote; the clerk announced 83 ayes, 8 nays and the conference report was adopted.

Details: Sponsors said the change targets malicious use of signal jammers that could interfere with emergency responders or critical infrastructure systems. Some members noted existing statutes covering critical-infrastructure mischief and said the conference report provides targeted specificity for jammer offenses.

The House will notify the Senate of the adopted conference report.