HB 233 2022
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0233-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to acceptance of cash payments by 2
businesses; creating s. 559.96, F.S.; requiring 3
certain businesses to accept cash payments for certain 4
transactions; prohibiting fees or conditions for such 5
transactions; providing definitions, construction, 6
exceptions, and penalties; requiring the Department of 7
Agriculture and Consumer Services to adopt rules; 8
providing an effective date. 9
10
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 11
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Section 1. Section 559.96, Florida Statutes, is created to 13
read: 14
559.96 Acceptance of cash payments by businesses. — 15
(1) As used in this section, the term: 16
(a) "Business" means any business operating at a fixed, 17
permanent physical premises, from a vehicle or other mobile 18
space, or from a temporary physical premises. 19
(b) "Cash" means legal tender of the United States in the 20
form of coins or currency. 21
(c) "Department" means the Department of Agricult ure and 22
Consumer Services. 23
(2)(a) A business must accept an offer of payment in cash 24
for any transaction involving the purchase of any tangible good 25
HB 233 2022
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0233-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
or any service if, in connection with such transaction, the 26
business would accept one or more other forms of payment and the 27
customer seeking to engage in such transaction is physically 28
present at the place of business. 29
(b) A business may not charge a fee or place any other 30
condition on its acceptance of cash as required by paragraph 31
(a). 32
(3) This section does not apply to: 33
(a) Sales that are not conducted in person, including 34
telephone, mail, Internet -based transactions, or other 35
electronic transactions. 36
(b) A parking facility owned by a municipality regardless 37
of who operates the facility. 38
(c) A parking facility that accepts electronic funds 39
transfer. 40
(d) A business providing services by accountants, 41
architects, attorneys, engineers, financial advisers, insurance 42
agents, interior designers, software developers, and management 43
and other consultants, not including services provided by 44
licensed medical or allied health care practitioners. 45
(e) Sales in which the business suspects the use of 46
counterfeit cash. 47
(f) The use of cash denominations larger than $20 by a 48
customer. 49
(g) Single transactions above $5,000. 50
HB 233 2022
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0233-00
Page 3 of 3
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(4) A business that violates this section is subject to a 51
civil penalty of up to $2,500 for a first offense, up to $5,000 52
for a second offense, and up to $10,000 for a third or 53
subsequent offense to be assessed by the department. 54
(5) The department shall adopt rules to implement this 55
section. 56
Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2022. 57