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.
My dollar says, “This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private.”
I’m not against cash, but replace cash with your phone at the checkout counter. It’s a lot easier for everyone.
And please _do not_ write out a check in the checkout line. Only people over 65 use checks.
All us oldsters carry lots of cash. It’s how we were raised. However, if your a woman of my age you had to. You had no rights to other ways of paying. Another history lesson for the youngsters.
There are some small businesses here that don’t offer card transactions. I signed up to use the cardio workout center at the local hospital yesterday and they wanted a check, so I went home and dug one up.
When someone uses a check in line, they need only sign it and hand it over. Registers can add in everything else. And in many stores, they hand the check back immediately like a receipt after the register has the info.
Cash is King at breakfasting joints, but when you are having your granddaughter order take out tater cakes and a tasty slice of fresh baked pie on your computer it helps to have your own plastic card.