Urge members of the House Criminal Justice  Subcommittee to SUPPORT HB 850, to strengthen property rights by requiring government officials to obtain a search warrant before entering private property.

This legislation amends Tennessee law by adding a new section that establishes stricter requirements for government officials conducting searches on private property. Under this law, officials employed or contracted by the federal, state, or local government—including peace officers, inspectors, and wildlife officials—must obtain a search warrant before entering private property to conduct a search. The warrant must specify the person or property subject to the search.

However, there is an exception to this requirement. If a judicially recognized exception to the warrant rule applies at the time of the search, officials are not required to obtain a warrant. These exceptions typically include exigent circumstances, consent searches, or searches incident to arrest.

If an official knowingly conducts a search without a warrant when one is required, they commit a Class C misdemeanor, which carries potential legal penalties. This act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.