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HF 3607

Retail establishments required to accept cash as payment.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Pam Altendorf and 5 co-sponsors

Retailers must accept physical cash for purchases in Minnesota, effective August 1, 2026.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Commerce Finance and Policy
#commercedepartment #consumerprotection
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Bill Summary · HF 3607

Summary of HF 3607 (Minnesota, 2025-2026)

Bill overview

  • Bill: HF 3607
  • Session/Jurisdiction: Minnesota, 94th Legislature (2025-2026)
  • Introduced: February 20-23, 2026
  • Committee status: Referred to Commerce Finance and Policy
  • Sponsors: Pam Altendorf (additional co-sponsors: Mike Wiener, Jimmy Gordon, Bjorn Olson, Matt Bliss, Ben Davis)

Purpose and intent

HF 3607 seeks to protect consumers by ensuring that cash is accepted as a form of payment in retail establishments. The bill would require retailers to accept physical U.S. currency (cash) for goods and services, aligning Minnesota law with the principle of universal access to payment options.

Key provisions

  • New statute created: Minnesota Statutes, chapter 325F, new section 983 titled "ACCEPTANCE OF CASH REQUIRED."
  • Definitions (Section 1, Subd. 1):
    • “Cash”: Physical currency of the United States (paper money or coins).
    • “Retail establishment”: Any place of business open to the general public for the sale of goods or services.
  • Mandatory acceptance of cash (Section 2, Subd. 2):
    • A retail establishment must accept cash from consumers as payment for goods or services.
  • Effective date:
    • The requirement becomes effective August 1, 2026, and applies to sales occurring on or after that date.

Who is affected

  • Retail establishments open to the general public for sale of goods or services in Minnesota.
  • Consumers who rely on cash as a form of payment will gain a guaranteed option at participating retailers.

Potential impact

  • Consumer protection and inclusivity: Ensures cash-paying customers are not turned away, addressing concerns about access for individuals who do not use or have access to other payment methods.
  • Business implications: Retailers must adjust payment acceptance policies and potentially update point-of-sale systems to handle cash transactions if not already compliant.
  • Timing considerations: The new requirement takes effect on August 1, 2026, giving businesses a window to prepare and implement cash-acceptance practices.

Procedural notes

  • Path: Bill introduced and referred to the Commerce Finance and Policy committee (02/23/2026).
  • Status caveat: As of the provided summary, the bill has not yet progressed beyond initial committee referral. Future amendments or floor actions could modify definitions, enforcement mechanisms, penalties, or exemptions (if any are added).

If you’d like, I can add a brief comparison to existing Minnesota consumer protection or payment laws, or outline potential enforcement and penalty provisions common in similar cash-acceptance bills (even though they are not specified in HF 3607).

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

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