Bill would force stores to keep accepting cash for purchases up to $500
In committeeS. 2326Latest action
Sponsor: Kevin Cramer · Senator · ND
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Payment Choice Act of 2025
119th Congress
Topics: Jobs & the economy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
The plain-language version comes first. The official text is always the reference.
The Payment Choice Act would require most in-person retailers to accept cash for purchases up to $500 and bar cash surcharges.
45-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
The Payment Choice Act of 2025 would require most physical, in-person retail businesses to accept cash for purchases up to $500 and would ban charging cash customers more than card or other payment customers. Exceptions apply for temporary system failures, lack of change, or businesses offering free cash-to-prepaid-card machines that don't collect personal data. For five years, businesses wouldn't have to accept $50 or $100 bills, though $1, $5, $10, and $20 bills would always be required.
Who does it affect?
This affects brick-and-mortar retailers, including "cashless" businesses that would need to change policies, and customers who rely on cash, such as lower-income individuals, older adults, or people without bank accounts.
Why does it matter?
The bill creates a legal process for customers to challenge violations, including notice requirements, potential lawsuits, penalties, and damages, and requires banks and credit unions to report ATM locations annually, increasing regulatory oversight of cash access.
AI-drafted summary. Check it against the official text before you act on it.
Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
Where does it stand?
- IntroducedJul 17, 2025
- Senate committeeYou are here · Jul 17, 2025
- Senate vote
- House
- The president's desk
Right now: a Senate committee is reviewing it. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.