Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-411 (2026)

• (a) A person commits the offense of critical infrastructure vandalism who knowingly:
  • (1) Interrupts or interferes with critical infrastructure or its operation;
  • (2) Destroys or injures critical infrastructure;
  • (3) Uses, alters, encrypts, ransoms, destroys, or otherwise renders unavailable, without authorization, the electronic data, electronic devices, or networks of a provider of critical infrastructure or of a farm; or
  • (4) Destroys or injures a farm.

• (b) As used in this section:
  • (1) "Critical infrastructure" includes, but is not limited to, the infrastructure of the following services to the general public:
    • (A) Telephone, telegraph, television, internet, or other telecommunication services;
    • (B) Electric, heat, natural gas, or other power or energy services;
    • (C) The distribution of crude or refined liquid petroleum products or natural gas, and the pipelines, pumping stations, terminals, and equipment necessary for operation of the facility;
    • (D) Water, wastewater, or sewer services; and
    • (E) Railroads and other transportation services; and
  • (2) "Farm" has the same meaning as defined in § 43-26-102 and includes the real property, vehicles, equipment, machinery, animals, or crops contained on a farm.

• (c) The critical infrastructure of a utility or company is included in this section whether the critical infrastructure is in operation, idle, or under construction.

• (d)
  • (1) A violation of subdivision (a)(1)-(a)(3) shall be punished as theft under § 39-14-103, and graded in accordance with § 39-14-105. However, if:
    • (A) The actual damages caused by the violation are in an amount less than one thousand dollars ($1,000), then the punishment for a violation of subdivision (a)(1)-(a)(3) must be no less than a Class E felony; and
    • (B) The actual damages caused by the violation are in an amount of at least one thousand dollars ($1,000), then the punishment for a violation of subdivision (a)(1)-(a)(3) must be no less than a Class C felony.
  • (2) A violation of subdivision (a)(4) shall be punished as theft under § 39-14-103, and graded in accordance with § 39-14-105. However, in no event shall punishment for a violation of subdivision (a)(4) be less than a Class E felony.

Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 627,s 3, eff. 7/1/2024.

Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 627,s 2, eff. 7/1/2024.

Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 627,s 1, eff. 7/1/2024.

Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 302, s 2, eff. 7/1/2023.

Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 302, s 1, eff. 7/1/2023.

Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 418, s 1, eff. 7/1/2021.

Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 370, s 1, eff. 7/1/2019.

Acts 1990, ch. 844, § 1; 1992, ch. 832, § 1.