After considering several iterations of the same bill, a measure requiring governmental entities that charge credit card fees to accept cash payments has been signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills (D).
LD 1159, sponsored by Rep. David M. Rollins (D-Augusta), originated as a bill mandating that anyone conducting business in the state accept cash payments for purchases worth $2,000 or less.
Those selling goods or services in the state would also be barred from posting any signage indicating that they refuse to accept cash or charge a higher price to those opting to pay with cash.
Exempted from these requirements would have been any transactions conducted remotely.
Following a public hearing and work session on this bill, no members of the Legislature’s Housing and Economic Development Committee supported the original version of the proposal.
Instead, support for the bill was split between two separate Committee amendments.
One version of the bill, supported by the majority of Committee members, required any business, municipality, or governmental entity charging fees on credit card purchases to also accept cash payments.
This version of the bill embedded several exemptions from this requirement, including hotels, motor vehicle rentals, and businesses that do not have a physical presence.
Backed by one Republican senator and one Democratic senator, the Committee amendment that ultimately prevailed had a far more limited scope, only requiring that municipalities and governmental entities abide by these restrictions.
Although the more expansive version of this bill was originally approved in the House without a roll call vote, the Senate moved to adopt the more constrained amendment in a vote of non-concurrence.
The House then also approved the less extensive version of the bill in a roll call vote of 81-66. Support for and opposition to this version of the bill was not neatly divided along partisan lines.
LD 1159 was then signed into law by Gov. Mills on Monday, June 9 and will take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns for the session.
