The new law bans some businesses from fully cashless payments in New York State.
The bipartisan bill signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul last month “prohibits grocery stores and retail establishments from refusing to accept cash payments.” The legislation, similar to laws in other states such as New Jersey, Colorado, is expected enter into force on March 20, 2026.
Under the bill, businesses will be fined if they refuse cash payments. There will be a maximum civil penalty of $1,000 for the first violation and no more than $1,500 for each subsequent violation.
But who do the new rules apply to?
The chargeThe language appears to include grocery stores, restaurants, food trucks and others, including all establishments selling retail goods “for personal, home or family use”; food and drink “for consumption or use on or off the premises, or on or off a cart, stand or vehicle”; or any establishment where “consumer commodities are sold, displayed or offered for sale, or where services are rendered to consumers at retail.”
Less clear is what that means for the New York State Fair, concert venues like the Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater in Lakeview and sports stadiums like Syracuse University’s JMA Wireless Dome.
All three offer food and drink but do not accept cash for tickets, parking and other services. Honest grocers often accept cash the concession stands at the Dome and Syracuse Amphitheater they are completely cashless.
A representative for state Sen. Joe Griffa, a Republican who co-sponsored the bill, told syracuse.com that “grocery stores” and “retail establishments” are broadly defined without exception based on for-profit, nonprofit, public or private status. This means that food vendors and retailers at the NYS Fair must accept cash unless they provide a compliant free card transfer facility.
Food, beverage and merchandise sales at private venues and stadiums, such as the Dome and Amp, similarly fall under the definition of a “grocery store” or “retail establishment” and must accept cash (or provide a compliant card payment option), according to an analysis by Griffo’s office.
However, the law does not explicitly address whether tickets and admission fees, parking costs or tickets constitute “consumer goods” or “retail services”. The state Department of Labor could announce rules that will continue to apply, or additional legislation may be considered, Griff’s spokesman said.
syracuse.com has reached out to representatives of the NYS Fair and ASM Global, which manages the Oncenter Amphitheater and Empower FCU, for comment.
New York state Sen. James Sanders, Jr., a Democrat who introduced the bill earlier this year, said the goal is to improve accessibility for people who may not have credit and debit cards or digital wallets like Apple Pay.
“I strongly believe that this legislation was necessary to protect some of the most vulnerable New Yorkers,” Sanders he said Newsweek last month. “While digital payments are becoming more common, not everyone has access to credit cards, bank accounts or smartphones. Many seniors, low-income residents, immigrants and young adults rely on cash to manage their daily lives.”
“Too many stores are going cashless, disenfranchising seniors, immigrants and hard-working New Yorkers who rely on cash every day,” wrote Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz, who sponsored the bill in the NYS Assembly. Instagram. “Our bill makes it clear: Retailers and grocery stores can’t refuse cash — because access to essentials shouldn’t depend on a credit card.”
Leave a Reply