Relating to entering property for surveying purposes, and providing penalties

This bill relates to entering property for surveying purposes. Current law states that entry onto public or private property to conduct certain surveying activities does not constitute trespass and a surveyor entering property to conduct such activities is not liable to arrest or civil action by reason of the entry. The bill requires a surveyor to receive explicit permission from a current property owner, recorded electronically or in writing, prior to entering private property to conduct surveying activities. Except in case of an emergency, disaster cleanup, or other activities constituting emergency disaster relief, a surveyor who enters private property without properly acquiring permission commits trespass pursuant to Code chapter 716. General trespass is a simple misdemeanor punishable by a scheduled fine dependent on whether the offense is a first, second, or third or subsequent violation, and may lead to arrest or enhanced penalties depending on the circumstances.