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New YorkS 41532025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

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

Sponsored By: James Sanders Jr. (Democratic)

Became Law

CONSUMER PROTECTIONCONSUMER AFFAIRS AND PROTECTIONCODES

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Free cash to card machines in stores

A store may meet the cash rule by offering an on site machine that turns cash into a prepaid card. The machine must charge no fee and cannot require more than a $1 minimum deposit. The card must work at that store, and you can ask for a receipt showing your deposit. Money on the card does not expire, and you can make unlimited transactions.

Stores must accept cash for purchases

The law requires food stores and retail shops in New York to take U.S. cash for in person purchases. Stores cannot charge more for the same item when you pay with cash. Stores may refuse a single bill over $20. For phone, mail, or internet orders, cash is not required unless you pay on the store premises.

Fines and signs to enforce cash rules

If a store’s cash‑to‑card machine is not working, the store must accept cash during the outage. The store must post a clear sign by the machine that cash must be taken when it breaks and how to report violations to the Division of Consumer Protection. The Department of State may set more rules for these signs. Breaking the cash rules can lead to civil fines: up to $1,000 for the first violation and up to $1,500 for each later one.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • James Sanders Jr.

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Dean Murray

    Republican • Senate

  • Joseph A. Griffo

    Republican • Senate

  • Joseph P. Addabbo Jr.

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lea Webb

    Democratic • Senate

  • Rachel May

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 114 • No: 11

Senate vote • 5/29/2025

FLOOR Vote

Yes: 53 • No: 3

Senate vote • 4/8/2025

FLOOR Vote

Yes: 55 • No: 7

committee vote • 2/11/2025

Consumer Protection Committee Vote

Yes: 6 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. SIGNED CHAP.548

    11/21/2025Senate

  2. DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR

    11/17/2025Senate

  3. RETURNED TO SENATE

    5/29/2025House

  4. PASSED ASSEMBLY

    5/29/2025House

  5. ORDERED TO THIRD READING RULES CAL.349

    5/29/2025House

  6. SUBSTITUTED FOR A7929A

    5/29/2025House

  7. REFERRED TO CODES

    5/29/2025House

  8. RETURNED TO ASSEMBLY

    5/29/2025Senate

  9. REPASSED SENATE

    5/29/2025Senate

  10. AMENDED ON THIRD READING (T) 4153A

    5/5/2025Senate

  11. VOTE RECONSIDERED - RESTORED TO THIRD READING

    5/5/2025Senate

  12. RETURNED TO SENATE

    5/5/2025House

  13. RECALLED FROM ASSEMBLY

    5/5/2025Senate

  14. REFERRED TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND PROTECTION

    4/8/2025House

  15. DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY

    4/8/2025Senate

  16. PASSED SENATE

    4/8/2025Senate

  17. ADVANCED TO THIRD READING

    2/24/2025Senate

  18. 2ND REPORT CAL.

    2/12/2025Senate

  19. 1ST REPORT CAL.320

    2/11/2025Senate

  20. REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION

    2/3/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Amendment A

    5/5/2025

    PDF

  • Original

    2/3/2025

    PDF

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