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Maine committee hears bill to require in‑person businesses to accept cash
Summary
Rep. David Rollins introduced LD 1159 to require businesses that accept in-person payments to also accept cash for transactions under $2,000; proponents said the change protects unbanked residents and privacy, while business groups and event organizers cited security, costs and logistical problems.
Representative David Rollins introduced LD 1159, a bill that would require any person engaged in retail sales at a physical location and accepting in-person payments to accept cash for transactions under $2,000 and forbid charging a higher price to cash customers.
Rollins told the committee he proposed a $2,000 threshold as a starting point and said the bill aims to prevent exclusion of people who are unbanked, underbanked or who prefer cash for privacy. "I believe businesses should accept cash payments," he said, citing concerns about data collection and the expense of electronic payment systems.
Supporters described the rate of unbanked households and the barriers that a cashless policy can create. Douglas Rooks, a private…
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