Criminal Offenses - As introduced, creates a Class A misdemeanor offense of intentionally moving, altering, destroying, or removing a monument the person knows, or reasonably should know, is a property corner monument, historic land surveying monument, or geodetic control monument. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 62, Chapter 18 and Title 66.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Paul Bailey

Creates a new Class A misdemeanor for intentionally moving, altering, destroying, or removing protected property boundary and surveying monuments.

Signed by Senate Speaker

#criminaloffenses

Purpose and Intent

SB 1814 creates a new criminal offense at the Class A misdemeanor level for intentionally moving, altering, destroying, or removing certain types of monuments. The bill targets monuments that the actor knows or reasonably should know are property corner monuments, historic land surveying monuments, or geodetic control monuments. The core aim is to protect specific types of surveying and property boundary markers from tampering or removal.

Key Provisions

New Offense: Introduction of a Class A misdemeanor for:

Intentionally moving, altering, destroying, or removing a monument.
The actor must know, or reasonably should know, that the monument is one of the following:
A property corner monument
A historic land surveying monument
A geodetic control monument

Statutory References: Amends the following Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) titles:

Title 39 (Criminal Offenses)
Title 62, Chapter 18 (likely related to land surveying and property boundaries)
Title 66 (Property)

Jurisdiction: Tennessee

Penalty: Class A misdemeanor (maximum penalties typical for Class A misdemeanors in Tennessee apply, such as up to 11 months 29 days in jail and/or fines, though the exact penalties are defined by state statute for Class A misdemeanors).

Affected Parties and Scope

Potentially Affected Individuals: Anyone who knowingly or reasonably should know they are tampering with one of the protected monuments. This includes:

Individuals who move, alter, destroy, or remove such monuments.

Protected Objects:

Property corner monuments (signals for property boundaries)
Historic land surveying monuments (markers used in historic land surveys)
Geodetic control monuments (foundation markers used for geodetic surveys)

Public Interest: Affects land survey professionals, property developers, construction projects, and local governments that rely on boundary and survey markers for legal property delineation and infrastructure planning.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduced and Enacted Timeline:

Introduced and progressed through committee and chamber steps in early 2026.
Passed Senate with amendments on March 9, 2026 (Ayes 32, Nays 0) and subsequently enrolled.
Senate transmitted and the measure advanced through the remaining legislative process.
Signed by the Senate Speaker on April 30, 2026; enrolled and ready for signatures on April 29, 2026.
Action history shows swift passage with unanimous or near-unanimous votes in the Senate.

Sponsor: Co-sponsor Paul Bailey.

Practical Considerations

The bill elevates damage or removal of core surveying and property-boundary markers to a serious criminal offense, underscoring the importance of these markers in property rights and land planning.

Enforcement will rely on proof that the actor knew or reasonably should have known the monument’s protected status.

The measure aligns with safeguarding historical and geodetic data essential for accurate land records and boundary determinations.

If you’d like, I can add a layperson-friendly example scenario to illustrate how the offense could arise in typical real-world circumstances.

Bill

Summary of Bill: SB 1814 (Session 114, Tennessee)

Purpose and Intent

Key Provisions

Affected Parties and Scope

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Practical Considerations

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