Ohio residents might soon find themselves able to shop in a more retro fashion, reminiscent of 1999, thanks to a proposed CASH bill. If passed, this legislation would mandate businesses and government agencies to accept cash for transactions up to $500.
Under this bill, at least one location for cash transactions must be provided by businesses and government agencies. Moreover, businesses can’t impose higher fees on cash users compared to those using other payment methods.
“It’s straightforward: Cash is a fundamental part of business in America, and taxpayers deserve access to cash in their daily transactions,” stated Ohio Representative David Thomas (R-Jefferson), who put forward House Bill 554.
He added, “We often hear from residents who either are skeptical about digital payment options or just prefer good old cash. This bill seeks to find a balance between the efficiency needs of businesses and governments and the ongoing need for physical currency.”
This proposed legislation could significantly alter how large retailers operate, especially with stores like Target, Walmart, and Costco increasingly adopting self-checkout systems that generally exclude cash payments.
Interestingly, the bill accommodates for cash acceptance through automated or human-operated points of sale, which might mean no need for extra staff to manage cash transactions.
In a similar vein, Thomas’ proposal echoes the Payment Choice Act of 2025 introduced by Senators John Fetterman and Kevan Cramer, which also aims at enforcing cash acceptance and banning higher fees for cash transactions.
Target, Walmart, and Costco have been contacted for their perspectives on this legislation.
