Cash rehash: Legislators again consider payment acceptance requirement for schools
Sen. Greg Blanc, R-Rapid City, speaks on the floor of the South Dakota Senate on Feb. 10, 2025, in Pierre. (John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight)
It was deja vu in the South Dakota House Education Committee on Wednesday at the Capitol in Pierre.
Earlier in the legislative session, the committee passed a bill that would require public and accredited private schools to accept cash at events. But the House of Representatives later rejected it.
Sen. Greg Blanc, R-Rapid City, then filed his own, similar bill in the Senate, where it was approved last week.
Lawmakers advance bill to mandate cash acceptance at school events
Blanc's legislation was assigned to the House Education Committee, which rehashed its discussion of the idea Wednesday. Supporters of the bill shared similar stories to those told earlier this session about parents not being able to attend high school activities in some parts of the state, especially in the Sioux Falls area, because some schools exclusively use smartphone app-based, cashless ticketing.
Opponents of the bill included the South Dakota High School Activities Association, organizations representing private businesses, and some activities directors at Sioux Falls high schools.
They worried that Senate Bill 219 would force separate entities to accept cash if they host school-affiliated games. The South Dakota state basketball tournaments, for example, are hosted at city- and state-owned facilities. If the venue decides not to comply, then schools or state tournaments would lose a venue, said Dan Swartos, executive director of the activities association.
Rep. Amber Arlint, R-Sioux Falls, told lawmakers the legislation isn't needed because it already spotlighted a problem and has encouraged school districts and organizations to reevaluate their cashless policies and make cash accommodations on their own. But a majority of lawmakers on the committee decided a state statute is needed.
The bill heads to the House next.
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