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LD 1159

An Act To Prohibit Businesses From Refusing To Accept Cash For In-Person Payments

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mark Babin and 4 co-sponsors

Prohibits Maine businesses and certain government entities from refusing cash for in-person payments, protecting cash users.

Signed by Governor
#businesspractices #paymentsincash #sales
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Bill Summary · LD 1159

Summary — LD 1159

An Act To Prohibit Businesses From Refusing To Accept Cash For In-Person Payments

Overview / Purpose

LD 1159 prohibits businesses from refusing to accept cash for in-person payments. An amended, engrossed version that was enacted also extends a related prohibition to certain governmental entities: governmental entities that charge a fee for in‑person credit card purchases may not refuse to accept cash. The intent is to preserve cash as an accepted means of payment for face-to-face transactions and to protect consumers who rely on cash.

Key provisions

  • Prohibits businesses from refusing to accept cash for in‑person payments. The prohibition applies to transactions conducted face-to-face (in person).
  • In the enacted/amended version, prohibits governmental entities that charge a fee for in‑person credit card purchases from refusing to accept cash for those in‑person payments.
  • The bill as enacted limits its scope to in-person transactions (it does not address online, mail-order, or telephone sales).
  • Fiscal notes attached to committee/amendment versions state: No fiscal impact to the State.

Note: The text of the bill as provided does not include specific enforcement mechanisms, fines, civil remedies, or detailed exceptions. Those details would be found in the full enrolled law text.

Who is affected

  • Private businesses operating in Maine that conduct face-to-face sales or services (retailers, restaurants, personal services, etc.) — they must accept cash for in-person transactions.
  • Governmental entities that impose fees for in-person credit card payments — they also may not refuse cash for in-person payments.
  • Consumers who rely on cash (including unbanked or underbanked individuals) — the law protects their ability to pay in cash in person.

Fiscal impact

  • Multiple fiscal notes (approved 04/22/25 and 05/28/25) for committee amendment versions report no fiscal impact to the State.

Legislative history & timeline (selected)

  • Introduced: March 20, 2025; referred to the Committee on Housing and Economic Development.
  • Committee work: Work session held April 10, 2025; divided report; Committee Amendments A (H‑222) and B (H‑223) were adopted during floor action.
  • Passed both chambers: House roll call (May 28, 2025) — Yeas 81, Nays 66.
  • Final actions: Passed to be enacted (May 29, 2025); Signed by the Governor on June 9, 2025.

Notes / Outstanding items

  • The available documents do not include the full enrolled bill text, so specific language on enforcement, penalties, exemptions, or an effective date (if different from the standard) is not provided here. For implementation details and any compliance requirements, consult the full enacted statute as printed in the Maine Revised Statutes or the enrolled bill text.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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