US HB1138

Retail businesses accepting in-person payments must accept cash for transactions up to $500 and cannot charge cash-paying customers higher prices than non-cash customers

Businesses are exempt when experiencing temporary system failures, insufficient change on hand, or if they provide free on-premises devices that convert cash to prepaid cards with no fees, no personal data collection, and a maximum $1 minimum deposit

For the first 5 years after enactment, businesses may refuse $50 and $100 bills; afterward, the Treasury Secretary will issue rules but must require acceptance of $1, $5, $10, and $20 bills

Violations carry civil penalties of up to $500 for first offenses and $1,500 for subsequent offenses, plus actual damages or $250 liquidated damages; customers must provide 45 days written notice before filing suit

State, local, and Tribal laws providing greater consumer protections are not preempted by this federal requirement