If enacted, this bill would amend current statutes by requiring retail businesses with a physical location in Arizona to accept cash as a form of payment for goods and services valued at $100 or less. It would also prohibit these businesses from charging any fees or penalties for cash transactions. Additionally, the bill establishes a cause of action for individuals who are denied the right to use cash or are charged fees for cash payments, allowing them to seek damages of $1,000 per violation or $5,000 total, along with reasonable attorney fees.

The bill would also introduce provisions for annual adjustments of the damage amounts based on inflation, as well as clarify that the cash acceptance requirement does not apply to written contracts specifying payment methods or online sales. Furthermore, it would redefine the chapter heading of Title 44, Chapter 38 of the Arizona Revised Statutes from "BUSINESSES EXEMPT FROM MASK MANDATE" to "BUSINESSES GENERALLY" and provide a definition for "retail business" based on existing classifications.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 44-7952
House Engrossed Version: 44-7952