Bill to bar landlords from charging fees to accept cash, checks advances in committee hearing

Representative Jonathan Warrie introduced House Bill 16 10 to prohibit lease provisions that charge tenants a fee to pay rent by cash, check, money order or a similar instrument.

Warrie told the committee that the bill grew from a constituent complaint and cited a lease that charged $20 to accept a cashier’s check or money order. He said the bill is aimed at residential tenancies and not commercial arrangements, and that it is not intended to change rules on card‑processing merchant fees.

Brad Peterson, legal director at Protection and Advocacy, testified in favor and said prohibiting fees for basic payment methods is important for people on fixed incomes and for tenants with disabilities who often rely on cash or money orders. Peterson urged the committee to consider extending the protection to mobile‑home parks, where out‑of‑state owners sometimes levy added fees for payment methods.

Committee members discussed scope and drafting details: whether the phrase "similar instrument" needs clarification (one member suggested it might unintentionally include digital currencies), how the bill applies to commercial versus residential leases, and whether landlords should be permitted to require direct deposit in limited circumstances for chronically late payers. Representative Ruby described the mobile‑spectrum of payment options (Venmo, debit) and asked for clearer language on fee pass‑through for digital processors.

No committee vote was recorded; the hearing closed after public testimony.