Alabama House Bill HB205

Alabama 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/20/24
• Refer: 2/20/24

Caption

Retail establishments; banning cash as payment source prohibited, exceptions provided

Impact

If enacted, HB205 would reinforce the rights of cash-paying customers and ensure that cash remains a viable option for purchases in retail environments. This bill seeks to protect consumers who may not have access to credit or prefer not to use it for personal or financial reasons. Consequently, this change could have broader implications for how retail businesses handle transactions and customer interactions, potentially increasing consumer confidence in making cash purchases.

Summary

House Bill 205 aims to address payment methods permitted in retail transactions by prohibiting retail establishments from discriminating against customers who choose to pay with cash. The bill mandates that all forms of legal tender, which includes U.S. coins and currency, must be accepted as payment for goods and services. Furthermore, the legislation stipulates that if a retail establishment encounters a cash or coin shortage, they are required to issue store credit for any change owed to the customer, rather than denying the transaction due to the inability to provide exact change.

Contention

While there may be broad support for protecting consumer rights, some retail establishments may argue that the bill adds complexity to their operations, especially in managing cash-handling protocols and accounting for store credits in case of coin shortages. Retailers might express concerns about the logistics and costs associated with implementing these changes, as well as the potential for increased fraud or difficulties in managing cash flows. The balance between consumer rights and business operational feasibility will likely be a focal point in discussions surrounding this bill.