Tennessee bill could let companies off the hook for abandoned shopping carts

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — It’s a common sight to see abandoned shopping carts near grocery stores.

Many times, carts litter roads and other property.

News 2 has previously covered the debate over who’s responsible for the carts once they leave the lot. A new Tennessee bill would take one punishment off the table.

“Simply put, a municipality should not be able to fine a retail store when a shopping cart is taken off its property,” State Rep. Jake McCalmon (R-Franklin) said.

Across the country, some cities have chosen to punish businesses if someone takes their shopping cart and abandons it. In 2025, Hendersonville leaders talked about penalizing businesses for carts that were taken or stolen.

One city alderman proposed impounding those carts, giving companies 30 days to retrieve them for free, before fines kicked in. That ordinance never moved forward.House Bill 1514 looks to stop municipalities from creating those kinds of penalties altogether.

In Hermitage, several people who live and work near Andrew Jackson Parkway said they frequently see abandoned shopping carts.

“I do think it brings down the community,” Christian Bratchie said. “It can make areas look neglected, with trash often building up around the carts.”

Bratchie told News 2 she has seen a small decrease in the number of carts left along roads but doesn’t know what can be done to stop the problem.David Miller takes a daily three-mile walk, and he picks up trash on the way. When he sees a stray shopping cart, he takes it back to the store.

“I just don’t like seeing trash on the street or anywhere, and if it’s not too far, I will take it back to the store as I go,” Miller said.

House Bill 1514 passed in the Tennessee Senate this week. It’s up for a vote in a House subcommittee next Tuesday, April 14.