OHIO — Ohio lawmakers are considering a proposal that would require most businesses and government offices to accept cash for in-person transactions of $500 or less.
House Bill 554, introduced in October by Rep. David Thomas (R-Smithville), would mandate that each business or government agency maintain at least one point-of-sale location that accepts cash. The bill would also prohibit charging higher prices to customers who pay with cash rather than a card or digital method.
Thomas introduced the measure after hearing from constituents who said they were turned away when trying to pay with cash.
In an Oct. 31 news release, he said the legislation — known as the CASH Act, short for Currency Access to Spend Here — is designed to ensure that “all Ohioans have the ability to use cash,” while minimizing the burden on businesses.
“It’s simple — cash is the basis for business in America,” Thomas said. “Our taxpayers should always have the ability to use cash in their daily lives.”
The bill applies to state and local government offices, including agencies, political subdivisions and contractors that act on their behalf. Airports would be exempt.
During the bill’s first committee hearing on Nov. 13, Thomas told lawmakers the proposal addresses a growing shift toward cashless operations in settings ranging from retail stores to medical offices. He argued that businesses would not be significantly affected, noting that a store with multiple registers would only need to designate one for cash payments.
Violations by retailers would be treated as unfair or deceptive practices under Ohio’s consumer protection laws, allowing customers to file lawsuits and authorizing enforcement by the attorney general.
Thomas said the concept came from grassroots concerns raised during his radio appearances in the Mahoning Valley. He added that the bill mirrors a bipartisan federal proposal backed by U.S. Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) and Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota).
House Bill 554 is awaiting additional hearings in the House General Government Committee.
