New Ohio law could require Walmart, Costco to accept cash for payments
The bill would require businesses and government offices to accept cash for payments up to $500. Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Ohio residents could soon have the right to pay with cash once again under the Currency Access to Spend Here (CASH) bill, which would require businesses and government offices to accept cash payments up to $500.
The proposed legislation, House Bill 554, would mandate that all businesses and government entities provide at least one point-of-sale option that accepts cash. It would also prohibit charging cash-paying customers more than those using other payment methods.
“It’s simple: cash is the foundation of business in America. Our taxpayers should always have the option to use cash in their daily lives,” said Ohio state Rep. David Thomas (R-Jefferson), the bill’s sponsor. “I hear from residents who may not trust digital payment systems or simply prefer physical cash. This bill ensures both government and businesses can operate efficiently while preserving that choice.”
Retail giants such as Target, Walmart, and Costco, which are increasingly moving toward self-checkout systems that often don’t accept cash, may need to adjust their strategies. The legislation, however, allows the required cash point-of-sale to be either automated or staffed, so it may not mean additional hires for businesses.
The Ohio bill reflects a similar measure at the federal level, the Payment Choice Act of 2025, introduced by Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), which also mandates cash acceptance and prohibits surcharges for cash payments.
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