Maine committee hears bill to require in‑person businesses to accept cash

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 citizen testifying in favor, cited a Pew estimate of roughly 13,000 Maine households lacking bank accounts and argued that cashless practices can shut those families out of everyday commerce. Rooks also invoked the phrase printed on U.S. currency — "this note is legal tender for all debts, public and private" — while urging the panel to preserve access.

Opponents, including the Retail Association of Maine and the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, said businesses should be able to set payment preferences. Curtis Picard, president of the Retail Association of Maine, said accepting cash entails costs and risks — cash handling, security, bank deposits and employee-theft exposure — and that the choice should remain with merchants. The chamber’s government relations specialist described a distinction between private businesses (which should retain discretion) and municipal or state services where cash acceptance could be required.

Public-safety and logistical concerns were raised by organizations that run ticketed events. Dr. Holly Blair of the Maine Principals Association described a previous embezzlement loss of $57,000 tied to cash ticketing at an event venue and said shifting back to cash would increase costs and safety risks, forcing some events to hire police to guard cash proceeds. The association said it moved ticketing to a cashless system and absorbed processing fees to improve security and efficiency.

Committee members asked a range of questions about scope and enforcement: whether municipal and state agencies should be covered, how to handle kiosks and remote payment stations, and whether kiosks, vending or certain small operators should be exempted. Senator Rick Bennett and others suggested the committee could consider amendments to require cash acceptance by government entities; Representative Collimore and others suggested exemptions for kiosks and temporary vendors.

The committee requested additional research from staff on how other states have legislated cash acceptance and whether legal challenges have followed. The public hearing closed with no vote taken; members signaled they would receive additional information before deciding whether to pursue amendments or a work session.