Tennessee Senate Bill SB1728

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/15/26
• Engrossed: 4/9/26
• Enrolled: 4/27/26
• Passed: 5/22/26
• Chaptered: 5/27/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 5, Chapter 1 and Title 6, Chapter 54, relative to shopping carts.

Impact

If enacted, SB1728 will create a more stringent framework regarding the management of shopping carts in relation to public areas. It establishes that local governments cannot levy fines for shopping carts unless they can demonstrate that the owner was responsible for the cart's removal from the store premises. This could alleviate some financial burdens on retail businesses while also affecting how local governments enforce related ordinances.

Summary

Senate Bill 1728 aims to amend the Tennessee Code concerning the assessment of fees, fines, or costs against owners of shopping carts found on public property. The bill specifies that such fees can only be levied if the shopping cart was removed from the premises of a retail establishment by the owner or an employee acting on their behalf. This is intended to clarify the liabilities of shopping cart owners and the conditions under which they can be penalized for carts found outside their property.

Contention

The bill could generate discussion around local governance and the extent of regulation that can be imposed on retail establishments. Supporters may argue that it prevents unfair penalization of shopping cart owners and reduces unnecessary fines that local authorities might impose. Conversely, critics may raise concerns about accountability and the potential for increased littering or abandonment of shopping carts, which could impact community cleanliness and safety.