54-1-134 - Vandalism of highway structures. - Tennessee Statutes

54-1-134. Vandalism of highway structures.

(a)  (1)  It is an offense for any person who is not authorized to construct or repair a highway structure to knowingly carve upon, write, paint or otherwise mark upon, or in any manner destroy, mutilate, deface, mar, steal or remove any highway bridge, overpass, tunnel, fence, wall, traffic control device, sign or other public highway structure or building.

     (2)  A violation of subdivision (a)(1) is a Class A misdemeanor.

(b)  (1)  Any person who reports information to a law enforcement officer that leads to the apprehension and conviction of a person for a violation of this section shall receive a reward of two hundred fifty dollars ($250). The county where the conviction occurs shall provide the reward money from the proceeds of the fines collected under this section.

     (2)  The proceeds from the fines imposed for violations of this section shall be collected by the respective court clerks and then deposited in a dedicated county fund. The fund shall not revert to the county general fund at the end of a fiscal year but shall remain for the vandalism enforcement rewards established in subdivision (b)(1).

     (3)  Each county shall expend the funds generated by the fines provided for in this section by appropriation for the vandalism enforcement rewards. Excess funds, if any, may be expended for litter control programs on adoption of an appropriate resolution by the county legislative body.

[Acts 2004, ch. 514, § 1.]