Ohio Pushes ‘CASH Bill’ Requiring Businesses to Accept Paper Money

Ohio lawmakers are considering a proposal that would force businesses and government offices across the state to accept cash — a move supporters say protects consumers who don’t want to rely on digital payments…

Andrew PowellNov 23, 20252 min read

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is the basis for business in America. Our taxpayers should always have the ability to use

Cash

in their daily lives,” said

Ohio

state Rep. David Thomas, a Jefferson County Republican and the bill’s sponsor.

Thomas said that he regularly hears from constituents who distrust digital payment systems or simply prefer the tangibility of Cash. “This bill balances the needs of government and business to be efficient with the ability to still rely on physical currency,” he said.

The proposal arrives as major retailers — including Costco, Walmart, and Target — continue expanding self-checkout stations. Many of those kiosks don’t accept Cash, a shift that critics argue locks out consumers who don’t use or have access to digital payment tools.

If the bill passes, it could require some retailers to rethink how their checkout lanes are structured. However, the legislation does not require hiring more employees to handle Cash. It specifically allows the required Cash-accepting checkout to be “automated or operated by a person.”

Thomas’ legislation mirrors federal efforts underway in Washington. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., and Sen. Kevan Cramer, R-N.D., introduced the Payment Choice Act of 2025 earlier this year. Their proposal would also mandate that businesses accept Cash and forbid them from charging Cash-paying customers more.

Supporters argue that both measures would help protect consumer choice at a time when the economy is increasingly shaped by digital transactions. Critics in the business community have yet to weigh in, but the debate is expected to gain traction as lawmakers return to Columbus for further consideration.