S-1882 WILL HELP PRODUCE SORELY NEEDED CREDIBLE STATISTICS ON THE CRIME OF ARSON, AND WILL PROVIDE THE ADDITIONAL IMPETUS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO REINFORCE THEIR EFFORTS IN THE PREVENTION AND DETECTION OF ARSON. THE RECOGNITION THAT ARSON CAUSES SUBSTANTIAL ECONOMIC LOSS AND DESTRUCTION AND THAT IT IS AN ACKNOWLEDGED KILLER MANDATES IT AS A PART I CRIME. MOREOVER, A LAW PASSED IN OHIO IN 1976 REQUIRING INSURERS TO REPORT SUSPICIOUS FIRES TO LOCAL FIRE OFFICIALS AND TO COOPERATE FULLY IN THE INVESTIGATION OF ANY FIRE SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO OTHER STATES. STATE CRIMINAL STATUTES IN THE ARSON AREA ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF A SUBSTANTIAL OVERHAUL. THERE ARE THREE ADDITIONAL AREAS OF CONCERN. FIRST, BUILDING CODES SHOULD BE ENFORCED AND PROPERTY OWNERS WHO IGNORE REQUIREMENTS THAT LIFE-SAVING STRUCTURAL IMPROVEMENTS BE MADE SHOULD NOT BE PROTECTED BY GUARANTEES OF INSURANCE THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT CONTROLLED PLANS. SECOND, INSURANCE COMPANIES SHOULD NOT WRITE INSURANCE IN AMOUNTS WHICH EXCEED THE ACTUAL WORTH OF A BUILDING. THIRD, STATE CANCELLATION STATUS AND FLAIR (FAIR ACCESS TO INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS) PLANS PROCEDURES MUST BE AMENDED TO PERMIT PLANS TO TO TERMINATE LIABILITY IN SPECIFIED SITUATIONS. THESE PLANS SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO SPECIFIC APPROVAL BY THE STATE REGULATOR IN EACH INSTANCE, WHERE PROPERTY IS, FOR ALL PRACTICAL EFFECTS, ABANDONED TO OUTSIDE ARSONISTS AND VANDALS. (MHP)