House panel hears bill to require schools to accept cash at middle- and high-school sporting events

The House Education and Workforce Committee on Thursday heard testimony on House Bill 5154, sponsored by Speaker Pro Temp Schmidt, which would require public schools to accept cash as payment for admission to middle- and high-school sporting events.

Representative Smith, the bill’s sponsor at the committee hearing, told members the measure is intended to keep ticket payments "accessible and inclusive" for people who lack credit cards or smartphones. "Not everybody has credit cards or smartphones for digital pay," Smith said, adding that several constituents and grandparents in her district have complained they are being excluded when schools move to card-only systems.

Committee members asked how widespread the practice is and whether the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) drives any card-only rules. Representative Fox noted that playoff and district/regional ticketing is often handled through MHSAA systems rather than local schools. An MHSAA official, who did not give a name at the hearing, said the association "collects all of the money for playoff games" and prefers electronic ticketing because it centralizes revenue collection for officials, rentals and hosts.

Representative Koons asked whether the bill includes a penalty for schools that refuse cash; Rep. Smith said she did not believe the draft contains an enforcement penalty. The committee received a written card from David Randalls of Oakland Schools stating opposition to the bill; he did not speak at the hearing.

The committee took testimony and questions but did not vote on HB 5154 during the session and proceeded to other agenda items.