The proposed bill, H.B. No. 2025-2026, aims to mandate that governmental entities and private sellers accept cash as a form of payment for transactions totaling five hundred dollars or less. It introduces new sections to the Revised Code, specifically sections 9.18, 1333.96, 1333.97, and 1333.98. Under these provisions, governmental entities are required to accept cash and cannot charge cash-paying customers a higher price than those using other payment methods. Additionally, retail sellers must provide at least one point-of-sale station for cash transactions and are similarly prohibited from imposing higher prices for cash payments.

The bill also clarifies that the cash acceptance requirements do not apply to sales at airports and establishes that violations of these provisions constitute unfair or deceptive acts under existing consumer protection laws. Individuals harmed by such violations would have the right to seek legal recourse, and the Attorney General would have the authority to enforce compliance with these new cash acceptance requirements.