Payment Choice Act of 2025
Senate Bill Would Require Stores to Accept Cash for Purchases Up to $500
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill would require almost all physical stores and service providers to accept cash for in-person purchases up to $500. It also prevents businesses from charging people more just because they choose to pay with paper money instead of a credit card.
- The plan aims to help people who do not have bank accounts or credit cards, ensuring they can still buy what they need at local businesses. It protects the right of every consumer to use official U.S. currency for their daily shopping.
- There are a few exceptions, such as if a store's registers are broken or if they run out of coins to make change. Stores can also avoid the rule if they provide a machine on-site that turns cash into a prepaid card for free.
- For the first five years, stores would not be forced to accept $50 or $100 bills, though they must always accept $1, $5, $10, and $20 bills. After that time, the government will decide if larger bills must also be accepted.
- If a store refuses to take cash, a customer can give them 45 days to fix the problem. If the store still refuses, the customer can sue for damages and the business could face government fines of up to $1,500 for repeat violations.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
How this policy affects specific groups of people
Milestones
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
3 articles
New 'cash law' could force Walmart and Costco to take your money the old-fashioned way
The Payment Choice Act of 2025 would require businesses to accept cash and bar them from charging higher prices to those who pay in cash. The bill aims to protect the 4.5% of U.S. households that lack access to banking services, ensuring they can still shop at major retailers like Walmart.
Regulation creep: 5 policy issues vending operators should watch in 2026
The Payment Choice Act of 2025 is highlighted as a key federal policy for 2026. It would require covered retail businesses to accept cash for on-site sales up to $500. Vending operators are warned that cashless-only machines in public-sector locations may need to adapt to remain compliant.
Is cash legislation making a comeback?
The Payment Choice Act of 2025, reintroduced by Rep. John Rose, aims to prohibit retailers from denying cash payments. The bill defines retailers broadly and includes specific exceptions, such as when a business lacks enough cash on hand to make change or faces technical issues.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Payment Choice Act of 2025
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(1)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.