Senate passes bill requiring schools to accept cash at affiliated events

Senate Bill 219 passed the South Dakota Senate in a 19–16 vote, requiring public schools to accept cash payments for admission to school-affiliated events.

Sponsor Senator Blanc framed the bill as a fairness and access measure, describing a hypothetical parent turned away from a school musical because the event only accepted digital payments. "A child is starring in the school's presentation ... it's minutes before the curtain goes up, a single mom makes it to the musical just in time ... and the poor kid cashier has to say to the mom, you can't come in ... because you don't have a credit card," Blanc said.

Supporters stressed that accepting cash prevents exclusion of low-income families and people who prefer not to use digital payment methods; Blanc also said transaction fees on electronic payments (which she described as 7–20%) can reduce receipts for schools. Opponents argued the bill improperly overrides local control and cited safety and embezzlement concerns around handling cash at large events. Senator Smith, who said he has worked gate duty, said local solutions already exist and urged the Senate to trust local districts.

Senators discussed the practicalities: some districts and the activities association said they already offer both cash and electronic options; the bill's supporters said more districts were moving toward cashless systems and cited news coverage and constituent complaints about a Sioux Falls School District policy. On final passage the roll call was 19 yeas, 16 nays and the president declared the bill passed.

The law will require schools to accept cash for admission to school-affiliated events; details about implementation (for example, consolidation of cash gates or reconciliation procedures) were not specified on the floor and will be handled administratively by local districts.