Committee hears bill to let late-night entertainment venues refuse cash; industry urges expansion to all food service

The Committee on Public Works and Operations on Monday considered Bill B26-64, the Entertainment Establishment Employee Safety Amendment Act of 2025, which would permit certain late-night or alcohol‑serving establishments and some 24‑hour restaurants in the District of Columbia to refuse cash payments if they post conspicuous notice on their doors or menus.

The bill, introduced Jan. 17, 2025, by Council member Henderson with co‑sponsors Pinto and Fruman, would create an exception to the District’s Cashless Retailers Prohibition law for on‑premises retail establishments that hold Class C or D retailer licenses from the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) and for restaurants open 24 hours or until 3 a.m. at least twice a week.

Chairperson Brianne Nadeau opened the hearing and invited business and government witnesses to testify. Industry groups and venue operators told the committee that the emergency and temporary exemption passed in December 2024 improved safety for employees working late hours and in isolated areas, and they urged the Council both to make that exemption permanent and to expand it to cover additional food‑service workers who do not meet the bill’s current criteria.

Sean Townsend, president and CEO of the Restaurant…