This bill proposes several updates to current statutes regarding payment methods accepted by retail businesses in Arizona. Specifically, it mandates that retail businesses with a physical location in the state must accept cash for goods and services valued at $100 or less, and prohibits them from charging any fees for cash transactions. Additionally, it establishes a cause of action for individuals who are denied the right to use cash or charged a fee for doing so, allowing them to seek damages of $1,000 per violation or $5,000 total, along with reasonable attorney fees. The bill also requires that these damage amounts be adjusted annually for inflation based on the Consumer Price Index.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies that the cash acceptance requirement does not apply to written contracts specifying payment methods or to online sales. It also redefines the chapter heading of Title 44, Chapter 38 of the Arizona Revised Statutes to reflect these changes. Overall, the bill aims to ensure that cash remains a viable payment option for consumers while providing legal recourse for violations of this requirement.

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