House Bill 1514 and Senate Bill 1728 propose amendments to the Tennessee Code Annotated regarding the assessment of fees, fines, or costs related to shopping carts found on public property. The bills establish that no such penalties can be imposed on the owner of a shopping cart unless it is determined that the cart was removed from the premises or parking area of a retail establishment by the owner or an employee acting on their behalf. This provision is intended to protect retail owners from being penalized for shopping carts that may have been abandoned or misplaced by customers.

The new legal language is added to both Title 5, Chapter 1, and Title 6, Chapter 54, creating a consistent standard across different jurisdictions within the state. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and will apply to any relevant acts or omissions occurring on or after that date.