Tennessee - Session 114
Title: AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, relative to the defense of property.
Present law provides that a person in lawful possession of real or personal property is justified in threatening or using force against another, when and to the degree it is reasonably believed the force is immediately necessary to prevent or terminate the other's trespass on the l and or unlawful interference with the property. However, unless a person is justified in using deadly force as otherwise provided by law, a person is not justified in using deadly force to prevent or terminate the other's trespass on real estate or unlawfu l interference with personal property. This bill generally authorizes a person to use deadly force for the protection of property against another in the following situations: If a person in lawful possession of real or personal property reasonably believed the force is immediately necessary to prevent or terminate the other's trespass on the land or unlawful interference with the property. If a person who has been unlawfully dispossessed of real or personal property reasonably believed the force is immediately necessary to reenter the land or recover the property, if the person threatens or uses the force immediately or in fresh pursuit after the dispossession that the other had no claim of right when the other dispossessed the person, and the other accomplished the dispossession by threatening or using force against the person. When the person reasonably believes deadly force is immediately necessary to prevent or terminate the other's actual or attempted trespass; arson; damage to property, including damage to livestock , burglary , theft , robbery , or aggravated cruelty to animals . When t he person reasonably believes t he property cannot be protected or the other's actions terminated by any other means , or t he use of force other than deadly force to protect or terminate the other's actions would expose the person or a third person to a risk of death or serious bodily injury. However, this bill does not justify a person in using deadly force against another individual under this bill if the individual is facing away from the person.
Tracking state legislation? Support LegiList with a small contribution. Independent, ad-free, and built by one developer.
| Date | Event | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-21 | Introduced | Bill introduced |
| 2026-03-18 | Status | in_committee |
| 2026-03-18 | Latest Action | Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/23/2026 |
| Bill | Title | Status |
|---|---|---|
| HB 1571 | AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 29; Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 1 and Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 2, relative to the department of agriculture. | enrolled |
| HB 2252 | AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 43; Title 44 and Title 53, relative to livestock raised in this state. | in_committee |
| HB 2547 | AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 66, Chapter 2, Part 3, relative to restrictions on land purchases. | in_committee |
| HJR 1084 | A RESOLUTION to honor and commend the Agricultural Crime Unit of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture upon the celebration of its twenty-fifth anniversary. | in_committee |
| SB 1512 | AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 29; Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 1 and Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 2, relative to the department of agriculture. | enrolled |
| SB 2233 | AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 66, Chapter 2, Part 3, relative to restrictions on land purchases. | in_committee |
| SB 2652 | AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 43; Title 44 and Title 53, relative to livestock raised in this state. | in_committee |
| HB 1503 | AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 1, Chapter 3; Title 39; Title 43, Chapter 27; Title 53; Title 57, Chapter 7 and Title 67, Chapter 6, relative to hemp. | in_committee |