Business: retail locations: cash payments.

Existing law establishes within state government a Department of Justice that is under the direction and control of the Attorney General. Existing law provides that the department is composed of the Office of the Attorney General and other divisions, bureaus, branches, sections, or other units created within the department by the Attorney General. Existing law provides that the Attorney General has charge, as attorney, of all legal matters in which the state is interested, except as specified. Existing law establishes the Public Rights Law Enforcement Special Fund within the State Treasury to be used, upon appropriation, for investigation and prosecution of specific public rights. Existing federal law provides that United States coins and currency, including Federal Reserve Notes and circulating notes of Federal Reserve Banks and national banks, are legal tender for all debts, public charges, taxes, and dues. This bill would require a retail location, as defined, in this state to accept cash payment when offered as payment by a consumer for any transaction that does not exceed $5,000 and involves the sale or lease of goods or services, or both, unless a specified exception applies. The bill would define cash for these purposes to mean Federal Reserve Notes and metal coins issued by the United States as legal tender. The bill would require the Attorney General to enforce these provisions, and would impose civil penalties for a violation of these provisions, to be deposited into the Public Rights Law Enforcement Special Fund, as provided. The bill would also require that cash acceptance continue during a declared state of emergency, unless incongruent with public health directives from the State Department of Public Health.