(a)
Any person who willfully, maliciously, deliberately, with premeditation, and with intent to cause injury to one or more persons or to cause damage to property under circumstances likely to produce injury to one or more persons or to cause damage to one or more structures or inhabited dwellings, sets fire to, burns, or causes to be burned, or aids, counsels, or procures the burning of any residence, structure, forest land, or property is guilty of aggravated arson if either of the following aggravating factors exists:
(1)
The defendant has been previously convicted of arson on one or more occasions within the past 10 years.
(2)
The fire caused damage to, or the destruction of, five or more inhabited structures.
(b)
Any person who is convicted under subdivision (a) shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for 10 years to life.
(c)
Any person who is sentenced under subdivision (b) shall not be eligible for release on parole until 10 calendar years have elapsed.
(d)
This section shall become operative on January 1, 2019.