Representative John Sjaarda (R-2/Valley Springs) is persistent. In addition to bringing back his failed 2025 bill to ban test-tube meat, Rep. Sjaarda is also recycling his proposal to require us to accept cash for certain transactions.
Last year, Rep. Sjaarda proposed House Bill 1048, which would have required private sellers and state and local governments to accept cash for any in-person transaction. House Commerce and Energy unanimously killed that proposal on opposition from the business lobby:
Nathan Sanderson, executive director of the South Dakota Retailers Association, testified against the bill.
“When you decide to patronize a business, it’s not a right,” Sanderson said. “This bill is putting convenience for the individual above the freedom to operate” [Makenzie Huber, “Lawmakers Advance Bill to Mandate Cash Acceptance at School Events,” South Dakota Searchlight, 2025.01.27].
(Note: the retailers feel buying is a privilege, but selling is a right. I suspect this hierarchy is mistaken.)
Rep. Sjaarda has brought his cash-mandate back with changes in 2026 House Bill 1061. This bill includes the same language as last year’s bill, but Sjaarda adds a $100 limit. Vendors could choose to require non-cash payment for anything above $100. Sjaarda also adds credit unions to the exceptions to his cash mandate, along with the financial institutions, transactions requiring security deposits, and transactions taking place on airplanes that Sjaarda originally exempted.
I can see where a cash mandate creates problems for small businesses. Keeping enough cash to make change is a hassle, and keeping any cash on hand creates a risk of theft. HB 1061 would also complicate my intention to refuse to accept payment in any form of coin that bears the likeness of a fascist dictator.
But at least HB 1061 would ensure that we can unload the rest of our pennies.
@ “Buggywhip” Sjaarda – Keep up buddy. You’re trying to hold your state behind because you haven’t had an original idea in decades. Take all your change and leave it on the table at the Strip Joint in Ft. Pierre.