New federal felony for trespassing on military property—up to 10 years.
H.R. 4834 — GATE CRASHERS Act · Filed by Jodey Arrington (R-TX) · Introduced Aug 1, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill creates a new federal crime for trespassing on Department of Defense property that is clearly marked as closed or restricted. First-time offenders face up to 180 days in jail and/or fines; repeat offenders face escalating penalties up to 10 years imprisonment for a third or subsequent offense. The bill applies only to unauthorized entry onto DoD facilities within U.S. jurisdiction.
Why we flagged it
The bill's sole operative mechanism is the creation of a new federal trespass crime targeting DoD facilities. It is straightforward criminal legislation with no hidden riders or market beneficiaries.
What the text implies
- Escalating penalties (up to 10 years for third offense) may be disproportionate to trespass conduct and could result in felony records for repeat offenders, affecting employment and housing eligibility.
- The bill does not define 'clearly marked' — ambiguity in signage standards could lead to inconsistent enforcement and prosecutorial discretion.
The full analysis lists 4 implications of this text.
Who it affects
The bill protects DoD facility security and deters trespass, which serves a legitimate public safety interest. However, it creates new federal criminal liability for conduct that may already be prosecutable under state trespass laws, potentially subjecting citizens to federal felony charges (up to 10 years) for repeated trespass, raising proportionality concerns and expanding federal criminal reach into traditionally local matters.