Criminal Offenses

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, relative to trespassing.

Crime

Active

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

Sponsor: Crowe, Alexander
Last action: 2026-04-14
Official status: Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2026
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide details on enforcement mechanisms or consequences of unclear signage.

Trespassing Sign Requirements

This bill changes Tennessee law to require signs warning about trespassing by motor vehicles to clearly define areas where driving, parking, or operating a vehicle is prohibited.

What This Bill Does

Changes the law so that signs warning against trespassing with cars must be clear and specific.

Who It Names or Affects

People who own land that needs trespassing signs
Anyone driving in areas with these signs

Terms To Know

Trespassing: Going onto someone else's property without permission.
Motor vehicle: A car, truck, or other vehicle with an engine.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify the consequences if signs are unclear.
It is not clear how law enforcement will enforce this requirement.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HA0867

Amendment 1-0 to HB2126

Plain English: The amendment adds a new section to Tennessee law that makes camping on private property without permission a more serious offense if damage occurs, and requires offenders to pay for repairs or cleaning.

Creates a new crime called 'aggravated criminal trespassing' when someone camps on private land without permission and causes damage.
Sets mandatory minimum jail times based on whether it is the first or second offense: at least 30 days for a first offense, and at least 60 days for repeat offenses.
Allows offenders to participate in drug or recovery courts instead of serving full jail time if they are clinically assessed as needing such programs.

The amendment text does not specify how the property owner will be compensated if the offender cannot pay for repairs or cleaning.

SA0755

Amendment 1-0 to SB2430

Plain English: The amendment adds new provisions to Tennessee law that make camping on private property without permission a more serious offense if damage occurs, and sets mandatory minimum jail times for repeat offenders.

Adds a new subsection (f) to the existing statute, which defines aggravated criminal trespassing as camping on private property without consent when it results in damage or littering.
Establishes that aggravated criminal trespassing is a Class A misdemeanor and sets mandatory minimum jail times of at least 30 days for first offenses and 60 days for subsequent offenses if the court finds that cleaning or repair expenses were incurred by the property owner.
Allows defendants to participate in drug or recovery courts or treatment programs instead of serving full jail time, with sentence credit available up to the mandatory minimum period.

The amendment text does not specify how 'camping' is defined beyond referencing another section of Tennessee Code Annotated.
It's unclear what criteria a court uses to determine if a defendant is suitable for drug or recovery courts or treatment programs.

Bill History

2026-04-14 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2026
2026-04-08 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2026
2026-04-01 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed behind the budget
2026-03-25 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/1/2026
2026-03-25 Tennessee General Assembly
Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee
2026-03-25 Tennessee General Assembly
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/23/2026
2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly
Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee
2026-03-17 Tennessee General Assembly
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Ayes 7, Nays 2 PNV 0
2026-03-16 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/17/2026
2026-03-16 Tennessee General Assembly
Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 3/17/2026
2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/16/2026
2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/18/2026
2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly
Action Def. in s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee to 3/18/2026
2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on s/c cal Criminal Justice Subcommittee for 3/11/2026
2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly
Assigned to s/c Criminal Justice Subcommittee
2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly
P2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee
2026-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly
Intro., P1C.
2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly
Filed for introduction
2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly
Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HOUSE BILL 2126
By Alexander

SENATE BILL 2430
By Crowe
SB2430
012186
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39,
relative to trespassing.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-14-407(c), is amended by adding
the following to the end of the subsection:
A posted sign or notice must clearly define the area in which driving, parking, standing,
or otherwise operating a motor vehicle is prohibited.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it.