This week, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry testified in opposition to a proposed bill that would require businesses to accept cash as a form of payment.
HB 3256 was heard in the House Special Committee on Tax Reform this week, where the Missouri Chamber outlined concerns about the impact this mandate would have on business operations, workplace safety, and the ability of employers to make the best decisions for their businesses’ unique circumstances. Across the state, many businesses have adopted cashless or limited-cash payment models to reduce the risk of theft, improve workplace efficiency, and better manage staffing challenges.
Jared Hankinson, vice president of government affairs for the Missouri Chamber, emphasized that these decisions are often driven by real-world safety and operational considerations.
“If a business has made the determination that for the safety of our workforce, the safety of our ownership, the physical safety of our establishment, that not having cash on the premises is the safest possible thing that we can do, they should be empowered to make that decision,” Hankinson said. “Whether it be for safety concerns, or the business owner doesn’t have the time in their day to make trips to the bank to deposit cash, or another reason, they should be empowered to make those business decisions without government interference.”
For more information, contact Hankinson at jhankinson@mochamber.com or (573) 634-3511.
