Senate approves law preempting local shopping-cart regulations, drawing local-control objections

The Senate passed Senate Bill 17 28, as amended, establishing that regulation of shopping carts is the province of the General Assembly and preempting counties and municipalities from adopting shopping-cart policies or levying fees or fines on retailers related to cart use.

Chairman Briggs explained the amendment would preempt local ordinances and also require that deeds transferring real property be prepared by specified professionals in a related amendment adopted earlier in the day. Senator Jackson said the Tennessee Grocers Association brought the matter to his attention and argued the bill protects retailers from burdensome local fines for carts abandoned off private property.

Opponents, including Senator Yeager and Senator Burrow, warned the preemption was broad and could prevent local governments from addressing public-safety and quality-of-life problems tied to carts, blighted property, encampments and local sanitation. Senator Burrow called the scope "pretty wild," and argued the bill 'occupied the field' without offering regulatory standards.

After floor discussion the Senate adopted the amendment and passed the measure on a roll call (Aye 22, Nay 4). The bill now proceeds toward enrollment and administrative steps required for enactment.