This bill proposes significant updates to current statutes regarding the regulation of theft of movable property belonging to businesses. Under the new law, municipalities and counties would be prohibited from adopting or enforcing any ordinances, rules, or regulations that impose penalties on businesses for the theft of their movable property. This includes specific prohibitions against imposing fines for abandoned property, requiring businesses to pay for retrieval or disposal of their property, and mandating compliance with municipal retrieval programs under threat of penalty. The bill asserts that the regulation of theft of movable property is a matter of statewide concern, thus preempting local regulations.

Additionally, the bill allows the Attorney General or any business to take legal action against municipalities or counties that attempt to enforce such prohibited regulations, with the possibility of recovering reasonable attorney fees and costs for prevailing businesses. Definitions for "business," "movable property," and "theft" are also established to clarify the scope of the law. The legislation is designed to protect businesses from undue penalties related to theft, thereby encouraging investment and reducing operational costs. The act is officially titled the "Completely Asinine Rule Termination (CART) Act."

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 9-500.54, 11-269.31
House Engrossed Version: 9-500.54, 11-269.31