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As Introduced
136th
General Assembly
Regular
Session
H. B. No. 554
2025-2026
Representative Thomas, D.
Cosponsor: Representative Pizzulli
To
enact sections 9.18, 1333.96, 1333.97, and 1333.98 of the Revised
Code
to
require governmental entities and private sellers to accept cash as
payment in certain circumstances.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section
1.
That
sections 9.18, 1333.96, 1333.97, and 1333.98 of the Revised Code be
enacted to read as follows:
Sec.
9.18.
(A)
As used in this section:
(1)
"Governmental entity" means the state or a political
subdivision, or any private person or business acting as an agent of
the state or a political subdivision, that accepts payments from
people at a physical location.
(2)
"Political subdivision" has the same meaning as in section
9.48 of the Revised Code.
(3)
"State" has the same meaning as in section 2744.01 of the
Revised Code.
(B)
For any debt, purchase, or transaction totaling five hundred dollars
or less, a governmental entity shall accept cash when offered as
payment.
(C)
A governmental entity shall not charge a person making a cash payment
a higher price compared to the price charged to a person not paying
with cash.
Sec.
1333.96.
(A)
As used in this section, "at retail" includes any retail
transaction conducted in person and excludes any telephone, mail, or
internet-based transaction.
(B)
A person selling or offering for sale goods or services at retail
shall comply with the following requirements:
(1)
Accept cash when offered by a buyer as payment for any debt,
purchase, or transaction totaling five hundred dollars or less;
(2)
Provide at least one point-of-sale station, either automated or
operated by a person, that allows a buyer to pay using cash as
payment;
(3)
Not charge a person making a cash payment a higher price compared to
the price charged to a person not paying with cash.
Sec.
1333.97.
The
requirements stated in section 1333.96 of the Revised Code do not
apply to a person selling goods or services at an airport.
Sec.
1333.98.
A
violation of section 1333.96 of the Revised Code is an unfair or
deceptive act or practice in violation of section 1345.02 of the
Revised Code. A person injured by a violation of section 1333.96 of
the Revised Code has a cause of action and is entitled to the same
relief available to a consumer under section 1345.09 of the Revised
Code. All powers and remedies available to the attorney general to
enforce sections 1345.01 to 1345.13 of the Revised Code are available
to the attorney general to enforce section 1333.96 of the Revised
Code.