COLUMBUS, Ohio -- As pennies disappear from circulation and retailers shift to rounding, Ohio lawmakers are debating options for consumers and how they can pay.

House Bill 554 , the Currency Access to Spend Here or CASH Act, would require stores and government offices to accept cash for purchases under $500.

The bill’s sponsors say the bill protects customers who don’t have credit cards, distrust digital payments, or simply prefer using real money.

“It’s simple, cash is the basis for business in America,” Rep. Dave Thomas said in a news release . “Our taxpayers should always have the ability to use cash in their daily lives.”

In testimony, Thomas said this isn’t meant to burden businesses and would only require one cash register per location.

“The local Walgreens store may ha

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