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Subcommittee adopts amendment to make moving survey corners a misdemeanor, adds DOT exception
Summary
The committee adopted an amendment to House Bill 20-26 making knowingly moving permanent property corners a misdemeanor while excepting the Tennessee Department of Transportation. Sponsor said the change responds to surveyors' concerns about property-line disputes.
House Bill 20-26 was amended to add an exception for the Tennessee Department of Transportation and to make knowingly removing or moving permanent survey corner markers a misdemeanor.
The sponsor said the amendment came after input from the Tennessee Association of Professional Surveyors and explained the bill targets permanent corner markers (rebar or iron posts), not temporary wooden stakes used during surveys. "If you knowingly, move, property corners... it's incumbent upon you if you remove those, knowingly to replace them in the appropriate location," the sponsor told the committee.
Leader Lambert and other members emphasized that moving permanent markers is often done to shift property lines for personal gain and can lead to violent disputes; the sponsor said the change would clarify existing gaps and protect property boundaries.
The committee adopted the amendment and voted to forward HB 20-26 as amended to full judiciary; the clerk reported 8 ayes and 0 noes.
Next: HB 20-26 will proceed to the full judiciary committee for further consideration.
