Chaplik's Cash Transaction Bill Passes House

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – The Arizona House of Representatives on Tuesday passed HB2683, sponsored by State Representative Joseph Chaplik to ensure that businesses with a physical presence in Arizona must accept cash for transactions up to $100. The bill, which previously passed the House Commerce Committee with unanimous support, now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

“Legal tender is exactly that—it must be accepted,” said Representative Chaplik. “Millions of Americans, including the most financially vulnerable rely on cash for their daily transactions. No one should be denied the ability to buy groceries, medicine, or other essentials simply because they choose or need to use cash.”

HB2683 prohibits businesses from imposing extra fees for cash payments and establishes civil penalties for violations. The bill does not apply to online sales or private contracts but ensures that brick-and-mortar businesses cannot deny customers the ability to use U.S. currency.

“Not everyone has a credit card or a bank account,” added Representative Chaplik. “This bill protects seniors, working-class families, and those who prefer the privacy of cash transactions. It stops businesses from turning away customers who are simply trying to pay with their own hard-earned money.”

Trump vs. Maduro

Pressure is mounting on Venezuelan Dictator Nicolas Maduro as US President Donald Trump has cancelled former President Joe Biden’s Venezuelan oil export licenses.

President Trump’s license cancellation effectively reimposes sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector that had been levied on Venezuela during Trump’s first term.

Such sanctions were lifted by President Biden in the ‘Barbados Agreement’ in exchange for assurances from Dictator Maduro he would host free and fair elections.

Despite promises of allowing free and fair elections, the Venezuelan regime barred opposition leader Maria Corina Machado from participating in the same.

However, Machado invested her political capital into former Venezuelan Ambassador Edmundo Gonzalez, who subsequently won the presidential elections.

Subsequently, Gonzalez was forced to seek political asylum in Spain after the Maduro regime rejected the election results and threatened to arrest him.

Senator Ruben Gallego: Kash Patel has no business running the ATF. He embraces fringe groups like QAnon, linked to violent domestic extremism, and now he’s in charge of regulating firearms? Our law enforcement officers need serious leadership. Kash Patel is unqualified and dangerous.

Representative Andy Biggs: The national debt is a threat to national security. I’m thankful for President Trump’s commitment to fiscal sanity.

Representative Eli Crane: Thanks to Yavapai Apache Chairwoman Tanya Lewis for coming in today to update us on ongoing water settlement talks.

Representative Juan Ciscomani: In southern Arizona, there is a critical need for more affordable housing. It was great to meet with the Arizona Chapter of the American Institute of Architects to talk about solutions to increase the supply of housing.

Representative Abe Hamadeh: Congressman Hamadeh is seeking a Veteran or Gold Star Family member for a 2-year paid position in his Surprise district office through the Green & Gold Congressional Aide Program Learn more here: usajobs.gov & search “Green & Gold Congressional Aide Program” #AZVets

Governor Katie Hobbs: Mercury games and the entire WNBA won’t look the same without @DianaTaurasi. Arizona is forever grateful for the decades of excellence you gave us both on and off the court.

AZ Attorney General Kris Mayes: 106 years ago, the Grand Canyon was designated a National Park. But Trump and Musk’s reckless federal worker firings are causing skyrocketing wait times and risking visitor safety. I’m fighting back because Arizonans deserve a well-staffed, well-maintained Grand Canyon.

State Senator Jake Hoffman: DEMOCRAT @KATIEHOBBS THROWS FULL BLOWN TEMPER TANTRUM @GovernorHobbs has unhinged melt down over being held accountable for her horrific agency nominees Sorry Katie… no matter how much you whine I’m going to continue doing my job to check your power I won’t let you ruin Arizona As for your invitation to join the 2026 Governor’s race… While I would certainly do a better job than you, @AndyBiggs4az has my full support. Arizonans want a return to sanity after 2 years of your chaos and failure, Katie. Andy Biggs will deliver stability, opportunity, affordability, security, and prosperity for the people of this state.

State Representative John Gillette: State Department announces the designation of Tren de Aragua, (MS-13), Cártel de Sinaloa, Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación, Cártel del Noreste (formerly Los Zetas), etc a Terrorists Organization AZ Republicans voted to do the same.

State Representative Leo Biasiucci: Today, my bill to prohibit soda from being purchased with SNAP (food stamps) passed the Arizona House! While I firmly believe in supporting those in need, tax dollars should not be spent on things like soda. #MAHA

State Representative Quang Nguyen: My bill, HB2374: Enhances penalties for certain crimes committed by a foreign government agent and foreign terrorist organization agent (foreign agent) and prohibits unauthorized foreign law enforcement activities in Arizona. This bill passed out of the House 35-25. @AZHouseGOP

Maricopa County Supervisor Debbie Lesko: BREAKING: The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors just voted to authorize funding for the comprehensive election audit that has been one of my highest priorities in office. It's time to get this done for the men and women we serve.

Trump Reverses Biden's Venezuelan Oil Policy, Revokes Oil Licenses from Maduro— By Cactus Politics' Mateo Guillamont

Hobbs Launches Operation Desert Guardian to Fight Cartels— By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich— Governor Katie Hobbs (D-AZ) has announced the launching of Operation Desert Guardian, a joint task force designed to crack down on the cartels in Arizona.

Gallego Cosponsors Bill to Counter China's Unfair Trade Practices— By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich— Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) has cosponsored legislation to counter China's unfair trade practices, which hurt American industry and workers.

Rubio Expands Visa Restrictions For Cubans Affiliated with Forced Labor Exports— By Cactus Politics' Mateo Guillamont— Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently announced expanded visa restrictions for members of the Cuban government participating in the ‘exploitation’ of medical workers.

Ramaswamy to Run for Ohio Governor— By Cactus Politics' Mateo Guillamont— Tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy recently announced his candidacy for Ohio’s governorship.

Biggs Wants Answers on How to Hold China Accountable for Cyberattacks— By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich— Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) sought answers from Heritage Foundation Senior Research Fellow Brent Sadler in a recent House Oversight national security hearing on holding China accountable for recent cyberattacks.

Gallego Reintroduces Bill to Protect West from Wildfires, Help Restore Watersheds— By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich— Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) has reintroduced a bill investing in protecting the American West from wildfires, restoring watersheds, and other measures to mitigate the effects of drought and other phenomena.

Trump Pushes to End Ukraine War in Ukraine-Centric G7 Summit— By Cactus Politics' Mateo Guillamont— President Donald Trump joined heads of state in a recent Group of Seven (G7) summit that primarily focused on the war in Ukraine.

Arizona AG Mayes Calls Anti-Cartel Drone Bill 'Important Tool' in Fighting Fentanyl— By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich— Arizona Attorney General (AG) Kris Mayes discussed House Bill 2733, the bill authorizing Arizona law enforcement to shoot down drones used by the Mexican drug cartels, in a recent appearance on Fox News, calling it "an important tool" in fighting the cartels, as the Grand Canyon State is the "epicenter of this terrible fentanyl crisis."

Biasiucci's Crack Cocaine Sentencing Bill Unanimously Passes Arizona House— By Cactus Politics' Grayson Bakich— State Representative Leo Biasiucci's (R-30) HB2720, which negates the sentencing disparity between crack cocaine offenses and powder cocaine offenses, has unanimously passed the Arizona House of Representatives.