A 7929 New York Assembly · 2025 Regular Session

Relates to prohibiting food stores and retail establishments from refusing to accept payment in cash

This bill prohibits food stores and retail establishments from refusing cash payments for in-person transactions, with limited exceptions for cash payments over $20 or remote purchases (phone/mail/internet). It bans charging higher prices for cash payments compared to digital payments and imposes civil penalties of up to $1,000 for first violations, increasing to $1,500 for subsequent violations. Retailers must provide fee-free cash-to-prepaid card conversion devices with receipts, and if these devices malfunction, they must accept cash and display clear signage. The law applies to most retail businesses but excludes banks and trust companies.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Apr 15, 2025 Last action May 29, 2025

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What changed between versions

A7929 → A7929A · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to expand its scope from retail establishments and food-service establishments to specifically include food stores, while also adding new exceptions for high-value cash bills and remote transactions. The amendment significantly increased civil penalties for violations and introduced new provisions requiring cash-to-prepaid card conversion devices with specific consumer protections.

Scope change

The bill now explicitly covers food stores in addition to retail establishments, and excludes banks and trust companies from the definition of retail establishments.

SCOPE

Added 'food stores' to the list of establishments prohibited from refusing cash payment, while clarifying that banks and trust companies are excluded from the retail establishment definition.

REQUIREMENT

Added exceptions allowing businesses to refuse cash for bills over $20 or for telephone, mail, or internet-based transactions unless completed on premises.

Added prohibition against charging higher prices for cash payments compared to cashless transactions.

Added new provisions requiring businesses with cash-to-prepaid card conversion devices to provide receipts, ensure no expiration dates on deposits, and accept cash during device malfunctions.

ENFORCEMENT

Increased civil penalties from $250/$500 for first/succeeding violations to $1,000/$1,500.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'cash', 'consumer commodity', 'food store', and 'retail establishment' to clarify the bill's scope.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 28, 2025

Committee

REPORTED REFERRED TO RULES

lower

May 19, 2025

Committee

REPORTED REFERRED TO CODES

lower

May 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

PRINT NUMBER 7929A

lower

May 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND PROTECTION

lower

Apr 15, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND PROTECTION

lower

1 primary · 13 co-sponsors