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SB0216 • 2026

Criminal Offenses

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8; Title 39; Title 62 and Title 66, relative to deed fraud.

Crime
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Taylor, Leatherwood
Last action
2025-02-10
Official status
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and text do not provide information about how it will affect existing cases of deed fraud, nor does it specify any additional measures beyond increasing fines.

Increasing Fines for Deed Fraud

This bill increases the maximum fine that can be imposed by a jury for deed fraud from $3,000 to $4,000.

What This Bill Does

  • Raises the maximum fine a jury can impose for the offense of conveyance by general warranty deed with knowledge of existing liens or claims on the property from $3,000 to $4,000.
  • Makes it a felony offense if someone transfers land using a general warranty deed knowing there are outstanding liens or other claims against that land.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who commit deed fraud with knowledge of existing liens or claims on the property will face higher fines and stricter penalties.
  • Courts and juries will have the authority to impose larger fines for this type of crime.

Terms To Know

Deed Fraud
When someone transfers land using a general warranty deed knowing there are outstanding liens or other claims against that land, with the intent to defraud others.
General Warranty Deed
A legal document used to transfer property ownership where the seller promises to have clear title and no liens on the property.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how or if it will affect existing cases of deed fraud.
  • It is unclear what additional measures, if any, will be taken beyond increasing fines for this type of crime.

Bill History

  1. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee

  2. 2025-02-03 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Civil Justice Subcommittee

  3. 2025-02-03 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee

  4. 2025-01-27 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  5. 2025-01-27 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  6. 2025-01-16 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  7. 2025-01-16 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
HOUSE BILL 196
By Leatherwood

SENATE BILL 216
By Taylor

SB0216
001717
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8;
Title 39; Title 62 and Title 66, relative to deed
fraud.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 66-3-104, is amended by deleting
subsection (a) and substituting:
(a) A person who transfers land by execution of a general warranty deed with
knowledge of outstanding liens, mortgages, deeds of trust, or other claims against such
transferred land with the intent to defraud, commits a Class E felony, punishable with
imprisonment as described in § 40-35-111(b)(5). In addition, the jury may assess a fine
not to exceed four thousand dollars ($4,000).
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.